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FOR 1285

Subject: GIS and Forestry
Course No. and Title:

FOR 1285 - Introduction to GIS
Credit Value:

Three (3) credit hours
Course Description: The course introduces the latest implementation of ArcGIS, version 10.x, by ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute). ArcGIS 10.x is the name given to a suite of GIS software, including ArcCatalog, ArcMap, ArcToolbox, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene.

The course emphasizes learning GIS through forestry application; specifically applications in forest inventory and forest mapping, using the inventory for the UNB Woodlot.

You’ll finish the course with an understanding of how GIS store maps digitally, and familiar with the following GIS operations:

  • creating a personal geodatabase in Microsoft Access
  • importing coverages, shapefiles, rasters, imagery, and tables into a geodatabase
  • creating and assigning range and code domains in a geodatabase
  • assigning attribute aliases
  • defining a coordinate system (datum and projection parameters)
  • transforming a coordinate system to another
  • computing feature geometry
  • building an image mosaic
  • clipping an image
  • extracting a subset of inventory features, by attribute and by location
  • using GPS global positioning system data
  • building a DEM (digital elevation model) from mass points
  • calculating a slope surface, and building a contours map
  • displaying data in 2D as well as 3D
  • editing existing features and attributes and digitizing new features
  • georeferencing digital aerial photography
  • overlaying features (clip, intersect, union)
  • buffering features to a fixed width
  • merging features
  • dissolving features
  • accessing and downloading online data
Prerequisite:

A working knowledge of Windows computing and world wide web browsing. A basic knowledge of forestry terminology and data is helpful, but not essential.
Course Author:

Glen Jordan, RPF
Course Features:

You don't have to own a copy of ArcGIS; a student version is provided upon request, and may be installed on your personal computer.
Course Format:

The course is delivered online via UNB's course delivery system (see learning.unb.ca). You'll complete a series of instructional modules and associated exercises, assignments, and quizzes using a web browser and ArcGIS 10.x on a computer running Windows, at home, at work, or at UNB. The course concludes with a three-hour online exam.
Course Texts: None
Assignments & Examinations:

The first module consists of ESRI's Virtual Campus course, Learning ArcGIS Desktop. This course involves several quizzes requiring an 80% score to pass. Second, on UNB's online course delivery system, you'll complete two lessons, Forest Inventory and Forest Mapping, consisting of 14 exercises with assignments, two quizzes (minimum 80%), a practice problems quiz, and two major assignments. Last, the final exam will be a 3 hour, must-pass, i.e. 50% must be achieved. The exam will involve two dozen or more questions, similar in type and complexity to those you experience in the forestry lessons quizzes. If you're an on-campus student, you'll write the exam in a computer lab on campus. If, on the other hand, you're a distance education student, you'll sit the exam at home or at work.

The course is graded as follows:

    •    The ESRI Learning ArcGIS Desktop course is worth 10%.
    •    The Forest Inventory lesson assignments and quizzes make up 25%.
    •    The Forest Mapping lesson assignments and quizzes are worth 20%.
    •    An open-book exam is worth the remaining 45%, but is a must-pass.
Time Limit: The final exam must be sit not later than 180 days, i.e. 6 months, after first registration.
Fees:

Click here to find more information on fees for this course.

Fees are subject to change by the Board of Governors.
Methods of Payment:

Once you complete the Apply Now form below, please send payment. Methods of payment accepted:
Cash (Do not send in the mail. Please deliver to the College of Extended Learning, 2nd Level, Wu Centre, UNB Fredericton Campus)
Cheque or money order (Mail to UNB College of Extended Learning, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, New Brunswick, E3B 5A3)
MasterCard / VISA / American Express (Please call the College of Extended Learning at 1-866-599-4646  or 506 453-4646 with your credit card number, expiry date, and the name as it appears on the card. Please do not send credit card information via email).

Apply now!