Instructor(s): Getachew Demisse
Number of Credit Hours: 2
Cross-listings: GEOG 427, NRES 427, NRES 827
Prerequisites: Junior standing. Familiarity with mapping and GIS recommended.
Description: Integrated lectures, lab exercises and field experience provide an understanding of GPS technology and applications. Students will learn to collect, correct and use GPS data in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. The main goal of this course is to introduce the concepts and required skills on satellite based referencing with a focus on Global Positioning System (GPS).
Learning Outcomes/Course Objectives
- Understand the required concepts and skills for using GPS in natural resources and agriculture.
- Understand the principles of satellite-based positioning systems.
- Identify and describe available satellite-based positioning technologies.
- Understand and develop required skills for GPS signals, codes and biases.
- Describe the practical applications of GPS and its future modernization.
- Explain challenges in determining heights with GPS and how the challenges can be managed.
- Understand some of the opportunities afforded by the coming GNSS systems.
- Understand map: projections, coordinate systems, datums, geoids, and ellipsoids and know how to properly use them with GNSS.
- Use GPS data with GIS and know how positional data is used and stored in the GIS.
- Acquire precise GPS data and be able to import/export it to other applications as needed.
- Evaluate and recommend proper use of GPS for acquiring data in different geospatial business applications.