Course

Geological Information Systems

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Earth & Environmental Sciences
Course code
EAES 2851
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
35
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Typically offered
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course will introduce students to the use of computer applications for analysing geological and mining exploration data, and producing a variety of outputs including maps, cross-sections, statistical plots, and others.
Course content
  • Map production utilizing acquired digital elevation models, and displaying data of various types (topography, geology, geophysics, geochemistry, drilling, land tenure, environment).
  • Public and acquired data sets (acquisition, georeferencing, layer displays).
  • Formatting and processing of exploration data (graphical analysis, gridding, inverting, filtering).
  • Digital terrain models (dtm/dsm/dem, creating dtm using local exploration data).
  • 2D and 3D data display.
  • Contouring and isosurfaces (plotting and analysing data in 2D and 3D, interpolation and prediction).
  • Reserve and resource estimates.
  • Software including:  ArcGIS, Google Earth, Microsoft Excel, GeoSoft Target, Leapfrog Geo, Reflex ioGAS, and others.
Learning activities

This course will utilize lectures and computer labs.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based on the following:

Labs and Assignments                 20 - 40%

Project(s)                                    20 - 30%

Lab exams and term exams         40 - 60%  (none over 30%)

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing EAES 2851, a student will be able to:

  • Produce maps displaying surface data.
  • Acquire, format and process geological and exploration data.
  • Integrate data from a variety of sources into maps to provide initial area review.
  • Create digital terrain models (DTM).
  • Display data and interpolated / predictive models using 2D and 3D methods.
  • Analyze data to provide input for reserve/resource estimates.
Textbook materials

Students should consult the bookstore for the latest required course materials, including textbooks.

  • Law, M., Collins, A.;  Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop; ESRI Press, or equivalent ArcGIS manual.
  • Articles and webpages for student study provided or referenced by the instructor.

Requisites

Prerequisites

One of GEOL 1120, or EAES 1120, or GEOG 1120 

And GEOG 2270

Familiarity with operation of a microcomputer, Windows and Microsoft Excel is strongly recommended.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for EAES 2851
Athabasca University (AU) AU CMIS 3XX (3)
Capilano University (CAPU) CAPU SCEL 2XX (3)
College of the Rockies (COTR) COTR GEOG 2XX (3)
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) KPU GEOG 2XXX (3)
Langara College (LANG) LANG GEOL 2XXX (3)
Simon Fraser University (SFU) No credit
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) TRU GEOG 2XXX (3)
Trinity Western University (TWU) No credit
University Canada West (UCW) UCW SCIE 2XX (3)
University of Northern BC (UNBC) UNBC GEOG 205 (3)
University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) UFV GEOG 2XX (3)
University of Victoria (UVIC) UVIC EOS 2XX (1.5)
Vancouver Community College (VCC) No credit
Vancouver Community College (VCC) VCC EVSC 2XXX (3)
Vancouver Island University (VIU) VIU GEOG 2nd (3)

Course Offerings

Winter 2025