GIS: Field Data Collection

Taught by: Georgianna Hupp

Students in this course will learn about how to take GIS out of the office. Mobile GIS lets users perform mapping and collect spatial data while working in a field research situation, often outdoors. The Android or iOS smartphone device enables mobile GIS capabilities, even when the survey user is beyond the reach of cell phone range. This course teaches students how to design and deploy Esri Survey123 software, for populating a GIS database with field observations, and how to use the database of survey results to create maps and perform spatial analysis.

Municipalities use mobile-GIS capabilities to collect near-real-time data from field observations. Businesses conduct surveys of customers, and policy makers use surveys to poll public opinion. Scientists rely on field surveys for measuring, and collecting data about human behavior, public opinion, and public engagement. Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) capabilities let scientists track animal behaviors, measure environmental qualities, and create inventories of assets and problem-areas in the landscape.

Competency in the deployment of mobile GIS capabilities enables students to take a leading role in organizations that rely on up-to-date mapping of their situation. Students will begin learning Survey123 by entering a set of survey questions using a simple drag-and-drop design tool. Then they will progress to more complex survey designs that enable logical branching, cascade selections, default values, in-form computations, and the integration of photography, audio, and video content. Students will deploy their surveys and collect their own field data based on a topic of their personal interest. The survey data will then be brought into ArcGIS Online for students to analyze, create maps, and publish in a web-app. 

Fieldwork will be required, to conduct field investigations and collect data appropriate to the student project topic.

This is one of six offerings which comprise the undergraduate GIS Certificate at Evergreen. It can be taken after completing one of the following courses: GIS: Introduction and Principles, GIS: Mapping in Excel, or GIS: StoryMaps and Apps.