Learning Resources

Connecting students with opportunities to learn geospatial theories, technical skills, and application is vital to the FAST Lab’s mission. Below you can find our current geospatial classes that are supported by the FAST Lab, as well as all geospatial classes within the College of Liberal Arts and Science that have a spatial relevance. Further, our FAST-developed tutorials are beginner-friendly, and for the more advanced users, check out the other learning resources available to you as outlined on this page.

GEOG 4/5060 – Introduction to Remote Sensing: Remote Sensing I

An in-depth treatment of the use of aerial photographs and other forms of imagery for the analysis of urban-industrial patterns, vegetation, agriculture, land forms, and geologic structure. Prereq: GEOG 2080 or permission of instructor.

GEOG 4/5070 – Advanced Remote Sensing: Remote Sensing II

Focuses on digital image processing of satellite and aerial images. Students explore the nature of digital image data, gain an understanding of image analysis using PCs, and learn about the use of analysis products in the development of GIS databases.

GEOG 4/5080 – Introduction to GIS

Introduces Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including justification, hardware/software, database design, and data conversion. GIS is a computer-based mapping system providing a graphical interface to locational and relational attribute data.

GEOG 4/5081 – Cartography and Computer Mapping

Provides an introduction to the art and science of cartography (map making). Students will learn about design principles, tools and techniques of map production, culminating in the creation of a high-quality map through hands-on exercises.

GEOG 4/5085 – GIS Applications for the Urban Environment

Takes a more detailed look at basic concepts presented in the introductory GIS course, concentrating on how GIS is used to solve real-world geographic problems. Various GIS applications within both the natural and social sciences are highlighted. The selection of specific topics is flexible, based on the interests of enrolled students.

GEOG 4/5090 – Environmental Modeling

Expands the basic knowledge of GIS to spatial models. Establishes a comprehensive framework that can be used to address a wide range of applications in natural and built environments. Prereq: GEOG 4080 or GEOG 5080 or permission of instructor.

GEOG 4/5091 – Open Source GIS Applications

The course will cover the individual use and integration of the most matured and powerful FOSS4G for each geospatial software niche: Desktop GIS (QGIS for vector and GRASS for raster), Database Management System with spatial extension (PostgreSQL-PostGIS) and Web-GIS (MapServer/GeoServer as GIS Server and diverse software as clients).

GEOG 4/5092 – GIS Programming and Automation

Students will learn the most commonly used programming language to automate GIS geoprocessing tasks and workflows in the latest versions of the most popular GIS systems.

GEOG 4/5095 – GIS Functionality on the Web

Covers the core principles and technologies that allow the deployment of geographic information system (GIS) functionality over the World Wide Web. Hands-on exercises make use of the latest commercial software as well as open source technologies.

GEOG 5050 – Applied Spatial Statistics

Statistics is important to the scientific study of just about anything. It is the study of how to make sense of a large amount of data: to recognize and systematically explore patterns in data, explore patterns relationships between data sets, use them to produce rigorous scientific results, and then communicate those results. As geography is about exploring space and spatial relationships, geographers are particularly interested in applying statistical methods to those relationships. Although spatial statistics is in many ways not much different from the traditional study of statistics, the inclusion of space introduces some additional concerns that must be handled with some knowledge and care.

URPL 6250 – GIS Analysis for Urban Planning

This course expands beyond the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems to offer intensive instruction in GIS analysis and cartography; advanced GIS applications and tools; GIS integration with other applications and technologies; innovations in geo-spatial data collection, analysis, and presentation.

blue-hued 3 dimentional imagery of unknown location

URPL 6260 – Advanced Spatial Methods

Students will be introduced to the hardware, software, theory, and skills required to use Geographical Information Systems (GIS). In this course, students will learn how to use GIS software to manage, analyze, map, and present spatial data to support the planning and design processes. Prereq: An introductory GIS class is required before taking this class.

LDAR 5540 – GIS Analysis for Landscape Architecture

The historical development of mapping technologies and remote sensing data collection establishes a foundation for advanced spatial analysis in this foundation course. Multiple public and proprietary GIS platforms are employed, and students will learn how to collect, arrange, interpret, and present GIS data in a wide range of scenarios common to the practice of landscape architecture today.

LDAR 6686 - Advanced Topics in GIS

Various topical concerns are offered in landscape architecture history, theory, elements, concepts, methods, implementation strategies, and other related areas.

GEOG 4/5235 - GIS Applications in the Health Sciences

Examines how GIS is used throughout the health care industry and public health. Covers environmental health, disease surveillance, and health services research. Students critically review current literature and gain hands-on experience with GIS software. Note: this course assumes that students have completed GEOG 4080 or GEOG 5080 and/or have a background in public health.

GEOG 4/5086 - FOSS4G Systems Integration

Focuses on the integration of different FOSS4G (Free and Open Source Software for Geospatial Applications) software and technologies to create geospatial information systems that access data from different sources, storage structures, and formats to provide information to support decision making processes. Prereq: GEOG 4091 or 5091, and GEOG 4092 or 5092.

CVEN 5381 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Provides an overview exposure and experience with various aspects of GIS technology and its uses for natural resource and infrastructure, planning, design and management. This course involves a survey of GIS software and hardware, review of cartographic mapping principles, hands-on applications to environmental impact assessment, municipal facilities management, transportation, water resources and demographics. GIS project management factors are addressed. Max hours: 3 Credits.

CVEN 5382 - Geospatial Data Development

This second GIS course builds on the introductory course and addresses principles and technologies for development and conversion of spatial databases, including photogrammetry, surveying and geodesy, coordinate systems and transformations, and remote sensing. Prereq: CVEN 5381.

CVEN 5383 - GIS Analysis – Theory and Practice

This third course reviews GIS software functions and terminology, including data entry (input, editing), manipulation (projection, merge, window, aggregate), analysis (map algebra, overlay, Boolean, interpolation network, measurements, distance, terrain modeling, statistical analysis), query (spatial, attribute), and display/reporting. Integration of various domain-specific systems analysis models with GIS databases is also addressed. Laboratory activities involve programming applications using available GIS. Prereq: CVEN 5381.

CVEN 5384 - GIS Project Management

This course explains how to build a foundation for GIS project success and deliver results. Topics include data governance, administration of technical infrastructure, managing roles and skills, key leadership concepts, and project management methodologies like Agile/Scrum. Best practices and real world applications are discussed. Also addressed are issues of GIS institutional acceptance, the role of computerized spatial data systems in decision making, application of planning techniques for accomplishing resource goals, and administrative structures that enhance efficiency of use. Prereq: CVEN 5381.

CVEN 5385 - GIS Relational Database Systems

Introduces relational database management system concepts with emphasis on GIS. Includes examination of relational database systems from conceptual design through relational schema design and physical implementation. Topics include SQL, database design and implementation for large database systems, transaction management, concurrency control, distributed database management systems and the interaction and progressive integration of GIS technologies and RBDMS technologies. Coreq: CVEN 5381.

CVEN 5386 - GIS Laboratory

Provides in-depth experience with use and programming of a particular GIS software, including ArcGIS and related object-oriented programming languages. Advanced functionality for user authoring of software interface, data management and analysis functions and output generation. Exact content will vary by semester. Prereq: CVEN 5381.

CVEN 5390 - Interactive Web Mapping GIS

This course introduces students to designing, creating, delivering, and using interactive web maps. Many people rely daily on web maps to direct us from point A to point B and more. After starting with a broad introductory background, this is a technical hands-on course in which students use several open source (FOSS) technologies. Prereq: CVEN 5381 Introduction to GIS or equivalent or permission of the instructor.

CVEN 5800 - Special Topics: Geomatics for GIS

Topical courses offered once or on irregular intervals. Typical topics include: geographic information systems and facility management . Contact department for more information.

As a student at the University of Colorado Denver, you have access to a vast library of tutorials developed by ESRI for ESRI Products like ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Simply go to ESRI Training, sign in with the same enterprise login you would use to get into ArcGIS Pro, and search for your topic of interest.

Check out our library of books available for student check out here FAST Lab Library or in person located between the NC5032 and NC5033.

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Learning Resources

GEOG 4/5060 – Introduction to Remote Sensing: Remote Sensing I