Department of Civil Engineering

Note: All of the following courses are 3 credits taken on the semester system. Except for CE5381- Introduction to GIS, enrollment in all courses requires a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent.

CE 5381 – Introduction to GIS
The Introduction to GIS course provides an overview exposure to and experience with various aspects of GIS technology and its uses for natural resource and infrastructure planning, design and management. The course involves a survey of GIS software and hardware, a review of cartographic mapping principles, and hands-on applications to prototype situations, such as environmental impact assessment, municipal facilities management, transportation, water resources and demographics. GIS project management factors are addressed.

Prerequisites include baccalaureate degree or upper division standing and training in the use of personal computers; or instructor approval.

CE 5382 – GIS Data Development
Geographic information systems require development of supporting spatial and attribute data on which to apply the required analyses. This second GIS course builds on the introductory course and addresses principles and technologies for development and conversion of spatial data; including photogrammetry, surveying and geodesy, coordinate systems and transformations, and remote sensing. The course objectives are to: 1) introduce design concepts for GIS data collection and processing, 2) review principles of geodesy and coordinate reference systems, and 3) address methods for map data collections and conversions, including tablet digitizing, scanning, remote sensing, plane surveying, photogrammetry and global positioning systems (GPS).

Prerequisites: Calculus II, Computing, Statistics, Surveying, and Introduction to GIS, or their equivalent; or instructor approval.

CE 5383 – GIS Analyses
GIS Analyses focuses on a spectrum of topics relevant to understanding the conceptual foundations of spatial analyses, and for processing data to obtain analysis products. Review GIS software functions, including: data entry (input, editing), manipulation (projection, merge, window, aggregate), analysis (map algebra, overlay, Boolean, interpolation, network, measurements, distance, terrain modeling, statistical analysis), query (spatial, attribute), and display/reporting. Integration of various domain-specific systems analysis models with GIS databases is also addressed. Laboratory activities involve programming applications using available GIS.

Prerequisites: Calculus II, Computing, Statistics, and Introduction to GIS or their equivalent; or instructor approval.

CE 5384 – GIS Management
GIS Management and Policies addresses aspects of system planning and development. These include topics of benefit-cost and financial analysis, scheduling, internal and external marketing, and project management. Also addressed are issues of GIS institutional acceptance, the role of computerized spatial data systems in decision-making, application of planning techniques for accomplishing resource goals, administrative structures which enhance efficiency of use, and legal considerations involved with development and use of such databases.

Prerequisites: Calculus II and Introduction to GIS, or their equivalent; or instructor approval.

CE 5385 – GIS Relational Databases
This course introduces the student to database design and implementation concepts, with examination of relational database systems from conceptual design through relational schema design and physical implementation. Topics include database design and implementation for large database systems, transaction management, concurrency control, object-oriented and distributed database management systems.

Prerequisites: Calculus II, Computing, statistics, Surveying, and Introduction to GIS, or their equivalent; or instructor approval.

CE 5386 – GIS Laboratory
Note: There are two versions of this course. The first, the second, or both may be taken.

• ArcGIS
  This version of the laboratory provides in-depth experience with use and programming of a particular GIS software, including ArcGIS, and related object-oriented programming languages. Advanced functionality for user-authoring of the software interface, data management and analysis functions, and output generation are covered. The exact content will vary by semester. The course involves use of standard data sets for the tutorial portion; the student will demonstrate independent capability through development of a project involving use of all aspects of the software package.
  
  Prerequisites: Calculus II, Computing, Introduction to GIS, and GIS Relational Databases, or their equivalent; or instructor approval.



• Object-Oriented Programming for GIS
  This course is directed to providing an in-depth experience with the use of a particular GIS software package, including ArcGIS, GRASS, or Intergraph. The course involves developing familiarity with a specific GIS software instance; its interface, data management, analysis functions and output generation. The course begins with a review of the basic commands and data structures inherent in the package. It then progresses to hands-on practice with the functions for database development, manipulation, analysis and output generation. Advanced functionality for user authoring or automation is addressed. The course includes a term project involving use of all aspects of the software package.
  
  Prerequisites: Calculus II, Computing, Introduction to GIS and GIS Relational Databases, or their equivalent; or instructor approval.

CE 5960 - Master's Report
This course is taken near the end of the program of study. The student completes a capstone project under direction of a faculty committee. The project is like a thesis; it is a separate, creative, state-of-the-art report that must be written, orally presented and defended. Students are encouraged to present their work at conferences and in journal publications.

Prerequisites: Have completed, or be completing in the current semester, all other requirements of the MEng GIS or MSCE GIS.

Updated: 7/15/2009