Course Syllabus: Geographic Information Science
This Syllabus is a living document and will be updated as the semester progresses. You can find links to all the course material along with important dates and deadlines in the course Schedule.
Table of contents
Course Introduction Video
This video provides an overview of the course syllabus.
Learning Outcomes
This course will expose you to key concepts and tools used to collect, map, and interpret geographic data. We will learn how geospatial data can be used to aid decision-making, complement scientific analysis, assist with urban planning, and help inform policy-making. You will gain practical experience using geospatial data to solve problems in both the natural and human realms. This term we will cover:
- How GIS functions and how it can be applied to solve problems.
- How phenomena are represented as geospatial data in a GIS.
- How to implement geospatial analysis methods.
- Visualizing geospatial data and principles of good map design.
- Sources of error in GIS analysis and output.
- The ethical implications of GIS analysis.
- GIS workflows and collaborating to complete a GIS project.
Your Instructor
My name is June Skeeter, I am a white settler and immigrant from the United States who has been living as an uninvited guest on unceded Coast Salish Territory for six years. I am non-binary and my pronouns are they/them/theirs. I am a geographer, researcher, and educator with a passion for social and ecological justice. My principal aim this semester is to provide a holistic introduction to the study of Geographic Information Science and application of Geographic Information Systems.
Contact Info
You can reach me by email (june.skeeter@ubc.ca) or drop by my in person in office hours (Rom 144, Geography Bldg.), or meet me on Zoom.
- In person office hours are Wednesdays after lecture and Thursdays from 2:00-3:00 room 144).
- Zoom office hours are by appointment (Monday’s 203), shoot me an email to let me know you plan to attend!
- I’m happy to meet at other times by request with 24 hours notice.
My Research
I use GIS extensively is my research studying climate change in the Arctic. More recently, I’ve started using GIS to track police violence in Canada. When I’m not working, I like to spend my free time hiking, snowboarding, baking, and gardening.