Geographic Infor Systems & Comp. – 93751 – CS 4803 – GIS
Geographic Infor System & Comp – 93378 – CP 4813 – CA
Fall 2025, Georgia Institute of Technology
3 Credit Hours
Summary
Introduction to computing with spatial datasets, including lessons on geographic information fundamentals, projections, spatial operations, raster and imagery data analysis, and cartographic design principles that are used to digitally model social and environmental processes.
Meeting
2:00 pm – 3:15 pm Tue/Thurs, Clough UG Learning Commons 102
In general, Tuesday is lecture, Thursday is lab. Please bring your laptops especially on Thursdays! This class doesn’t record labs, but we do labs together so attendance is helpful.
Instructor and Teaching Assistants
Instructor: Dr. Clio Andris (clio@gatech.edu)
Office: 204-M East Architecture Building. Office Hours Tue/Thurs before and after class & Friday 12-1. For quick response try Microsoft Teams.
TA: John Schmidt (jschmidt@gatech.edu)
Check Canvas for John’s Office Hours
Possible Threads (Note, this is a special topics course and not officially approved under any threads!)
https://www.cc.gatech.edu/academics/threads/modeling-simulation
https://www.cc.gatech.edu/academics/threads/media
https://www.cc.gatech.edu/academics/threads/intelligence
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course, although knowledge of Python is recommended. Students cannot get credit for this course and CP 4510 (Fundamentals of GIS). Students cannot get credit for this course and CP 6514 (Introduction to Geographic Information Systems). CP 4510 and CP 6514 use the ArcGIS Software Suite (ArcPro), whereas this class focuses on scripting and open-source tools. However, students are welcome to use the software that they prefer.
Graduate students in any GT program are welcome to register for this class.
Introduction
The primary objective for this course is to expose computer science students to maps, data analysis and methods in Geographic Information Systems and Science (GIS). The course will help students learn the fundamentals of spatial data representation, formats, map projections, GIS operations and computing, cartography, and multicriteria decision-making. Students are welcome to use a technology of their choice (such as Python), but labs will be primarily taught in the open-source QGIS computing environment.
This course teaches students how to make maps using geodata visualization strategies and cartographic standards. It also teaches geoprocessing using the programming using Python in QGIS. Students will learn how to write scripts and amend scripts for reading in, processing, and analyzing spatial datasets.
Course Objectives
1. Learn about how spatial data is collected, stored, retrieved and used
2. Describe the characteristics of different map projections and transformations
3. Explain data and table structures, including levels of measurements, normalization, and table joins
4. Retrieve, inspect and use GIS data sources such as hydrological, demographic, land use, elevation, roads, health statistics, etc.
5. Use spatial joins to combine spatial data layers
6. Analyze vector data using spatial interpolation, error, and estimation techniques
7. Orthorectify imagery and graphics into a GISystem using control points
8. Detect features in aerial imagery
9. Analyze terrain of a digital elevation model including calculating slope, aspect and viewsheds
10. Describe and use principles of cartograph
11. Complete an applied project that uses spatial data and analysis
Course Materials and Texts
Materials: Laptop computer is recommended. Students will be required to download QGIS.
Texts: Bolstad, P. and Mason, S. (2023) GIS Fundamentals. This book/online resource can be purchased online at https://www.gisfundamentals.org/. Reading the book will help you prepare for lectures and exams.
Course Evaluation
| Content | Number of Assignments | Total Points |
| GIS labs | 10 (5 pts each) | 50 |
| GIS project | 1 (+Proposal) | 15 (+5) = 20 |
| Exams | 2 (15% and 15%) | 30 |
| We also have a few bonus assignments that are given in class. | ||
Course Format + Infrastructure
This is an in-person class. Lectures will be in person and will include hands-on lab times to give students more experience with geographic information systems and science. All lectures, readings, assignments are to be accessed through Canvas. Canvas is for general messaging, discussions, and file retrieval. Piazza is for students to help one another. Lectures will not be recorded, but we plan to record lab instruction and post the videos on Canvas under the Media Gallery soon after class.
AI Policy
All materials turned in should be completed by the student without the use of ChatGPT or another LLM/AI tool. This course is designed to be very hands-on, and if you have a question on a lab and you don’t know the answer, please ask the instructor, a fellow student or the TA. Answers you get from an LLM may not be correct and a wrong answer from you is better than a canned answer from an LLM.
Draft calendar.
| Date | Topic | Reading (GIS Fundamentals Book) | |
| 1 | Tue 8/19 | Introduction to Course, GIS | |
| Thu 8/21 | Lab 0: Cartography & Introduction to QGIS + | Introduction to Map Design (ESRI, 1996). To be posted on Canvas | |
| 2 | Tue 8/26 | Vector Data + Attributes; Digging into Vector Data. | CH 1: Introduction |
| Thu 8/28 | Lab 1: Making a thematic map | ||
| 3 | Tue 9/2 | Hist. of GIS; Data Models, Data Levels, Administrative Units + Carto | CH 2: Data Models |
| Thu 9/4 | Editing and Creating Data / KML | CH 4: Maps, Data Entry, Editing, Output | |
| 4 | Tue 9/9 | Projections + Transformations | CH 3: Geodesy, Datums, Map Projections and Coordinate Systems |
| Thu 9/11 | Lab 2: Projecting data | ||
| 5 | Tue 9/16 | Tables, Databases, Queries/SQL Mapshaper Demo and Console. | CH 8: Attribute Data and Tables |
| Thu 9/18 | Lab 3: GIS operations and analysis I | ||
| 6 | Tue 9/23 | GIS Operations for Vector Data | CH 9: Basic Spatial Analysis |
| Thu 9/25 | Lab 4:GIS operations and analysis II | (spatial joins, clips, intersection, buffer) | |
| 7 | Tue 9/30 | Carryover Topics & Exam Review | |
| Thu 10/2 | Exam 1 | ||
| 8 | Tue 10/7 | FALL BREAK – NO CLASS | |
| Thu 10/9 | Lab 5: Geocoding, creating data, editing | Refresh of Chapter 4 | |
| 9 | Tue 10/14 | Raster Data + Imagery + Digitizing | CH 6: Aerial and Satellite Images |
| Thu 10/16 | Lab 6: Orthorectification, digitizing + feature detection | ||
| 10 | Tue 10/21 | CONFERENCE — NO CLASS | |
| Thu 10/23 | Project Introduction & Data Search | CH 7: Digital Data (search for data) | |
| 11 | Tue 10/28 | Raster Algebra + Raster Operations | CH 10: Topics in Raster Analysis |
| Thu 10/30 | Lab 7: Raster algebra (John guest teaches) | ||
| 12 | Tue 11/4 | Terrain Analysis | CH 11: Terrain Analysis |
| Thu 11/6 | Lab 8: Terrain analysis | ||
| 13 | Tue 11/11 | Polygon encapsulation/Spatial Statistics/Point patterns | CH 12: Spatial Estimation: Interpolation, Predication, and Core Area Delineation |
| Thu 11/13 | Lab 9: Polygon compactness | ||
| 14 | Tue 11/18 | Carryover Topics & Exam Review | |
| Thu 11/20 | Exam 2 (not cumulative) | ||
| 15 | Tue 11/25 | Project Draft + Help | We’re here to help w/ project stuff |
| Thu 11/27 | THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS | ||
| 16 | Tue 12/2 | Project Presentations | GIS–T Body of Knowledge Cartography |
| Thu 12/4 | READING DAY – NO CLASS | Project final due date to be announced. |