http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 720 https://escholarship.org/uc/spatial_ucsb_ncgia_cctp/rss Recent eScholarship items from GIS Core Curriculum for Technical Programs (1997-1999) Thu, 10 Sep 2026 20:41:50 +0000 https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9hz1q987 This introduction provides a historical overview of the GIS Core Curriculum for Technical Programs. It describes the working group and initial work session where a framework for the curriculum was developed, and it includes a task list outlining the topics originally intended for the curriculum. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9hz1q987 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis https://escholarship.org/uc/item/66f6b4n6 An outline of the GIS Core Curriculum for Technical Programs, organized by topic, is presented with hyperlinks to each unit's material on eScholarship. Note that hyperlinks are only active if the PDF file is downloaded. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/66f6b4n6 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9q94d63j This unit presents an overview of common GIS data formats, computer systems, spatial data handling software programs and scripting languages. Two step-by-step examples are given: (1) converting a text file of point locations to an Arc/Info point coverage; and (2) rounding floating-point data to integer values. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9q94d63j Thu, 15 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 9, CCTP Dodson, Rustin https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9vz195vp This unit introduces digitizing—the transformation of information from an analog format to a digital format—as it relates to GIS. It describes essential points to consider when planning a digitizing project including scale, coordinate system, accuracy and software constraints. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9vz195vp Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 12, CCTP McGowan, Eileen https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9t62p46r This unit is designed to assist the technical GIS educator in identifying the computer skills required for GIS tasks. Basic computer literacy skills are presented as a foundation for technical GIS computing skills. The latter are organized into several categories (e.g. 'Systems', 'Programming', 'Databases'), with lists of skills at different levels of achievement (Awareness, Competency, Mastery).  https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9t62p46r Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 03, CCTP Miller, Ross https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9h74b5z6 This unit outlines the procedures involved in digitizing, the potential errors that may occur and the ways of correcting them, as well as a working knowledge of digitizing terminology. It describes pre-digitizing tasks such as map preparation and registration, digitizing in each of the two modes and error detection and elimination. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9h74b5z6 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 13, CCTP, 1998 Dupigny-Giroux, Lesley-Ann https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9gb0f1w1 This unit introduces some of the uses of digital terrain data, the types of elevation data available and how to obtain them. Through examples and discussion it presents examples of data sources and formats, software for viewing and processing elevation data, and a comprehensive list of data and software resources. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/9gb0f1w1 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 6, CCTP Bitters, Barry https://escholarship.org/uc/item/94c2q8sw This unit’s overview of Global Positioning System (GPS) data includes sections on GPS equipment and definitions, accuracy considerations, project preplanning, collecting and correcting data and exporting data. Procedures for a sample implementation, using GPS to collect utility data, are described using Pathfinder Office software to create a new project and data dictionary, transferring the data dictionary to a datalogger, using Quick Plan software to preplan data collection, using the ProXL Datalogger to collect data, downloading the data to a PC, differentially correct the data using base station data, and exporting the results to ArcView. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/94c2q8sw Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 24, CCTP Schaeffer, John https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8cr9r7m2 This unit discusses registration and conflation, two related procedures in which two or more geographic datasets are combined, compared or merged. It presents procedures for re-projecting or rubber-sheeting a spatially referenced dataset to another, and it discusses issues including data model conversions, scale aggregations and other GIS manipulation and analysis functions. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8cr9r7m2 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 11, CCTP Sutton, Paul https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7r20n3sn This unit describes basic concepts related to the scanning of air photos, including vocabulary, potential applications, spatial scale and file size considerations and image processing software. Image types (e.g., 1-bit black and white, 8-bit grayscale, 8-bit color) are described and a table of typical aerial photo scales as they translate to pixel resolutions and file sizes is included. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7r20n3sn Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 18, CCTP Seaver, Craig https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7801z022 This unit presents an overview of projection issues that are likely to be encountered by a GIS user. It discusses common map projections and associated parameters, how to determine appropriate projections for certain GIS applications and issues specific to raster data including the choice of grid cell size and resampling methods. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7801z022 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 10, CCTP Dodson, Rustin https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7668f22h This unit introduces digital GIS data libraries, including their uses, types, design considerations and validation. An application example from the area of water resources management is presented along with examples of generalized technical specifications for vector data. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/7668f22h Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 32, CCTP Minter, Tim https://escholarship.org/uc/item/75f4d2cr This unit focuses on methods for acquiring GIS data over the Internet, including understanding Internet data transfer methods and developing skills in manipulating a variety of data formats. Procedures for connecting to remote computers, locating desired data sets, retrieving data in various formats and preparing data sets for transfer to other users are described. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/75f4d2cr Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 1, CCTP Willett, Karen B. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/72q137sg This unit describes common operations a user must perform when editing polygons, including adding, deleting, and manipulating arcs and nodes, building topology, removing sliver polygons and using dissolve operators. Adjacent—i.e., sharing a common edge—and non-adjacent polygons are discussed. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/72q137sg Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 28, CCTP Del Pozzo, Pau Serra https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6rn571t4 This unit describes the process of address matching, which allows the GIS user to convert postal addresses and/or zip codes to geographic coordinates. Example applications from the medical field, government, marketing and distribution are given, along with practical examples with step-by-step instructions. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6rn571t4 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 46, CCTP Jampoler, Susan https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6rc1d7ss In this unit students will learn how to assess the needs requirements and evaluate options in order to implement and maintain a GIS laboratory and how to plan and manage GIS project work. A generalized list of questions to ask when beginning any project and list of tasks are presented to illustrate a common approach to project management. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6rc1d7ss Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 52, CCTP Luther, Pat A. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6pv7w4qd This unit describes Coordinate Geometry (COGO), a method of inputting surveying or engineering data into GIS, CAD or mapping software. It includes materials for a lab exercise using Arc/Info COGO in which students coordinate a subdivision plan, making use of traversing, sideshots and curve layout operations. Also included are lecture notes outlining uses of COGO and basic operations, data conversion and attributes in Esri’s Arc software. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6pv7w4qd Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 25, CCTP Miller, Ross https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6fw4k3vm This unit introduces the mechanics of scanning and the concept of resolution. It discusses scanning hardware, how to select the appropriate resolution for a scanning project and image file formats. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6fw4k3vm Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 16, CCTP McGowan, Eileen https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6fq2q9pq This unit is concerned with the task of locating demographic data, including data describing the socioeconomic characteristics of the population. Information about the age, ethnicity, gender, income, housing condition and other socioeconomic variables is considered. The scope of this unit is to provide guidelines and suggestions to identify demographic datasets and evaluate whether the data set can be used within a GIS effectively. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6fq2q9pq Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 2, CCTP Matthews, Kevin https://escholarship.org/uc/item/67m0447k This unit identifies the fundamentals of surface derivatives that those familiar with GIS should know. It describes some methods by which they are calculated and measured, introduces ways in which they are used in GIS analysis and identifies some challenges to using them. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/67m0447k Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 43, CCTP Shortridge, Ashton https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5t16s9sk This unit presents an overview of of the geographical concepts that underpin GIS operations. It includes sections on describing space and spatial relations, spatial distribution, spatial interaction, time and space transition, spatial organization and landscape concepts. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5t16s9sk Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 02, CCTP Slobodian, Robert https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5sv5s5fx This unit discusses the difference between computer-aided drafting (CAD) and GIS, and how data generated in CAD software can be used in GIS software. It describes the process of registering CAD data, how CAD entities relate to GIS features, CAD file types and how CAD data is organized thematically. Several example applications are outlined that illustrate these concepts. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5sv5s5fx Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 23, CCTP Schaeffer, John https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5pk9d7z5 This unit provides the instructor with a simple overview of GIS. After learning the material covered in this unit, the student should be able to provide a general definition for GIS; list some of the application areas of GIS; provide examples of how GIS is used; and describe topics that will be learned in an introductory study of technical GIS. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5pk9d7z5 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 01, CCTP Goodchild, Michael F. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5fj0v32d This unit introduces some potential applications of transportation data and the appropriate data types and typical sources for each class of application. A practical exercise teaches students about acquisition and processing of data, and issues of data quality, costs and benefits are discussed. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/5fj0v32d Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 3, CCTP Noronha, Val https://escholarship.org/uc/item/57v2p2ph This unit discusses strategies, considerations, media and software for presenting a GIS project. Data types, file formats and methods for capturing graphics from GIS software are described and a generalized process for creating presentations is outlined. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/57v2p2ph Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 51, CCTP Van Zuyle, Paul https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4p56m3j1 This unit describes the fundamental concepts of statistics in a light-hearted manner that attempts to express the key ideas of this critical intellectual building block without being overly technical or boring. The concepts of mean, median, mode, variance and standard deviation are introduced through example applications that range from comparing samples from two geographical sites to household food distribution. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4p56m3j1 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 39, CCTP Funk, Chris https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4kx0k9x0 This unit describes types, example uses and implementation of different overlay operations. Using commands in ESRI’s Arc/Info, it summarizes necessary pre-overlay and overlay tasks in an example application in which locations for Gypsy Moth traps must be determined. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/4kx0k9x0 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 34, CCTP Pitts, Teresa A. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3xq4067j This unit discusses the three major methods of communicating about and distributing GIS products: advertising, presenting demonstrations and providing training and support. It explains the basic advertising principals of AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire and Action) and lists common questions to address when planning a marketing campaign, product demonstration, trade show exhibition or training and support. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3xq4067j Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 53, CCTP Harlow, Chris https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3k3031fs This unit describes the concept and some applications of Map Algebra, in which GIS data layers are used as variables in mathematical expressions. Examples using raster and vector data are presented with many illustrations. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3k3031fs Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 42, CCTP Allen, Chris https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3fh46676 This unit describes various approaches to database validation—the process of determining of database values are reasonably accurate, complete and logically consistent. Through example applications involving plant and animal species distribution databases it details methods for evaluating logical cartographic consistency, logical attribute consistency, statistical tests and logical query of the data, ground truthing and sensitivity analysis. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3fh46676 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 30, CCTP Cogan, Chris https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3636p2fc This unit presents a general overview of metadata, its potential uses and relevant vocabulary. Techniques for finding, using and interpreting complicated metadata are discussed and approaches for efficiently creating and cataloging simple metadata presented. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/3636p2fc Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 7, CCTP Larsgaard, Mary L. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2q51k4cm This unit discusses land records, one of the largest and most complex of the existing geographic datasets. Tasks addressed include locating and acquiring land records and the appropriate metadata from a variety of sources, combining data of different formats, scales and projections into a single map, and prepare a summary report to accompany the map. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2q51k4cm Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 4, CCTP Russell, Ken https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2jb32691 This unit gives an overview of the buffer operation, including its potential uses, basic vocabulary, parameters, and implementation. An example application from natural and archaeological resource management in a national park is presented, along with illustrations of different types of buffers and list of useful related operations in ARC/INFO. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2jb32691 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 33, CCTP Gray, Violet https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2f9545dp Unit 41: Using Boolean Search Techniques https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2f9545dp Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 41, CCTP Allen, Chris https://escholarship.org/uc/item/24t4n4n9 This unit describes the map scanning process with attention to map preparation, scale and accuracy, image types, file considerations, spatial resolution as it relates to map scale, hardware, and post-processing considerations. Image enhancement techniques such as contrast and brightness adjustment and gamma correction are noted. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/24t4n4n9 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 17, CCTP Haddock, Gregory https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1kq7j94r This unit discusses the planning and execution of labeling operations with the primary intent of creating a quality finished product. Through an example application—converting hard-copy US Geological Survey topographic quadrangles into Digital Line Graph (DLG) data sets—the labeling process is described, including project planning, execution, quality control and techniques to maximize efficiency and minimize errors. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1kq7j94r Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 15, CCTP Bitters, Barry https://escholarship.org/uc/item/14m138cz This unit describes the general process of on-screen digitizing and its potential uses. Through several task-based examples it illustrates how to update and create new map layers with on-screen digitizing and how to register a scanned image. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/14m138cz Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 14, CCTP Haddock, Gregory https://escholarship.org/uc/item/12q7v9xv This unit discusses applications, design concerns and strategies for effective visual, digital displays of geographic information. Topics presented include map types, selection and generalization, data classification, use of color and other visual variables, legend design and use of text. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/12q7v9xv Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 47, CCTP Edsall, Robert M. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1244583b This unit presents (1) a case study and (2) a bibliographic resource for GIS in the medical field. The case study illustrates the use of a GIS to monitor and analyze spatial patterns of physicians' multiple locations. This case highlights data location, acquisition and assessment, join and relational operators, geocoding and distance calculations, and standard query language. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1244583b Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 04, CCTP Albert, Don https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0606d680 This unit discusses applications, design elements, media and the creation process of printed geographic products including maps, tables and charts. Conventional map elements such as title, scale bar, legend, etc. are described and illustrated with examples, and different map types and their typical application are discussed. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/0606d680 Wed, 14 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Unit 48, CCTP Curtin, Kevin M. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2t44b366 The Core Curriculum for Technical Programs (CCTP) concentrates on providing course content assistance for instructors. It is intended to support a full range of courses that would be taught at a 2-year college. This guide is designed to provide a quick overview for the GIS instructor on the use of the CCTP resources to create GIS course modules and design GIS courses. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2t44b366 Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000 00, CCTP Crown, Chris