Geographic Information Systems Student Spotlight

GIS4043 Geographic Information Systems, Instructor, Mrs. Amber Bloechle

Projections 2- Understanding Map Projections

This week we took a more detailed look at map projections by:

• Exploring and downloading aerials, topographic quadrangles, shapefiles and tabular xy data from two different online data sources for Florida
• Identifying .sid and .swd files
• Defining a spatial reference for an unknown data set
• Reprojecting GIS data to a common coordinate system and projection
• Recalling the difference between defining and projecting a file
• Converting coordinates to decimal degrees in Excel
• Viewing map scale, cursor coordinates and bing aerial basemap as a reference to determine if the defined projection is correct
• Identifying UTM and state plane zones for a specific area 
• Deciphering Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) code
• Creating x,y data using Microsoft Excel and import to ArcGIS
• Identifying workable Excel file formats for ArcGIS
• Locating important accuracy information regarding GIS/GPS data
• Determining if retaining the “seconds” measurement in a dataset is appropriate based on the accuracy of the data
• Relating coordinate values to the appropriate earth hemisphere and double checking calculations make geographical sense
• Generating a map displaying aerials, topographic quads, shapefiles and tabular xy data

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Identify meridian and lines of latitude and longitude on a globe
• Differentiate between decimal degrees and degrees minutes seconds
• Convert degrees minutes seconds to decimal degrees
• Recall basic earth measurement principles
• Define map projection
• Recall how map projections developed historically
• Choose an appropriate projection based on needs of a project
• Identify three basic categories into which map projections fall
• Recall strengths and weaknesses of various map projections
• Differentiate between a geographic coordinate system and a projection
• Differentiate geographic and planar coordinate systems
• Define horizontal datum
• Differentiate between a local datum and an earth-centered datum

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

The following student was chosen for their exception work on the ArcGIS Overview assignment:

Aaron Garibaldi

About Aaron: Aaron works as a Digital Orthophoto Technician at a GIS / mapping company in St. Louis, MO and has been doing this for eight years.  He love maps and geography, along with learning ways to use them to solve real world problems.  Aaron use GIS in his work every day, and feels that now the time is right to expand his knowledge and career with this Certificate from UWF. Welcome to the spotlight, Aaron!

What we like: Aaron went above and beyond this week. His map includes everything were looking for: Quad identification, geographic reference to study site location in title, coordinate system identification, a easy to read legend, and over all exceptional design qualities. Aaron also provided a screenshot showing us that he was able to reproject all of his data to one single coordinate system. His attention to detail in his PS wasn't to shabby either :) Way to go, sir and keep up the excellent work!

Come back next week for the Student Spotlight from Cartography!