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Course Syllabus

GEO 2850 Cartography and Digital Mapmaking

  • Division: Natural Science and Math
  • Department: Geology
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
  • Prerequisites: GEO 1800 OR GEO 2800 (can be taken concurrently)
  • Semesters Offered: Spring
  • Semester Approved: Fall 2023
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2028
  • End Semester: Summer 2029
  • Optimum Class Size: 12
  • Maximum Class Size: 15

Course Description

Cartography is the science and art of map making. Students will learn principles for creating maps that immediately and effectively communicate spatial relationships to a reader, applying those principles to their own maps over the course of the semester. This course is designed for non-majors and majors.

Justification

This course is intended as an elective for students, particularly those who will be pursuing a GIS certificate or just taking GIS coursework. A solid understanding of cartographic principles and techniques is critical for student success in the field of GIS. Most colleges and universities in Utah offer a similar course. Examples of these are: Salt Lake Community College GEOG 2100, University of Utah GEOG 3100, Southern Utah University GEOG 3550, and Weber State University GEOG4400, USU - GEOG4850

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Attain actionable knowledge of cartography and geo-visualization.
  2. Design and construct maps for communicating map information to others. This will be assessed by cartographic projects.
  3. Make base information that provides geographic reference.
  4. Choose and arrange map elements for better cartographic communication.
  5. Choose and control labels, symbols and colors for best effect.
  6. Utilize a variety of thematic mapping and geo-visualization techniques.
  7. Design maps for print and online reproduction and dissemination.

Course Content

Using a variety of teaching methods, this course may include any of the following topics:• Developments in cartography: History of the art and science. (While considering the history and symbolism in cartography, we make an effort to consider ideas from the perspective of both older, western views and modern more universal aesthetics.)• What is a modern digital map? How do we currently communicate, visualize and interpret information using maps?• Maps, Visualization, and Design-Symbolizing places and spaces on maps• Maps and Map Projections-Representing a 3-D world in 2-D space• Map reference and coordinate systems• Thematic and topographical maps• Managing digital cartographic data• Using data from different sources (correctly)The final student project will allow students to choose a topic for a map that is meaningful and important to them. They will learn to access data, import data, create a map that satisfies the requirements learned in the class. This relevant and engaging project will allow students from a variety of backgrounds to highlight their own unique perspectives and ideas. For example, a student could access data from the U.S. Census that looks at poverty, food deserts, or race. Other students might choose to access relevant data relating to elk migration in their local national forest. Another student might choose to create a map that looks at housing prices, school rankings, or cost of living. Another student may choose to create a map that examines landslides relative to geologic units.