GEOG 7
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Description: Lecture, three hours; laboratory, two hours. Designed for freshmen/sophomores. Introduction to fundamental principles and concepts necessary to carry out sound geographic analysis with geographic information systems (GIS). Reinforcement of key issues in GIS, such as geographic coordinate systems, map projections, spatial analysis, and visualization of spatial data. Laboratory exercises use database query, manipulation, and spatial analysis to address real-world problems. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 5.0
Units: 5.0
1 of 3
AD
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2020 - Overall this was an extremely useful class with engaging content and assignments. The applications of GIS are endless, and the geography department at UCLA is stellar in teaching this subject. Even before the pandemic, in place of lectures are prerecorded tutorial-esque videos. However, Professor Burkhart was extremely helpful regarding assistance with the weekly projects in the CCLE forums. These projects, typically creating a map or working with spatial data in one form or another, are very time consuming and graded by your TA. My TA Jason was very knowledgeable and helpful with the intricacies such as visual design or QGIS errors and made lab sessions worthwhile with solutions and even examples of his own projects and various applications of GIS. Unfortunately, not all of my peers had the same experience with their TA's and were graded harshly based on aesthetics or inclusion/exclusion of seemingly small details. It also may be difficult to get above an A- as you must go "above and beyond" (which varies according to your TA) if you want to receive 100% on an assignment. Although experiences may differ based on professor and TA, you will definitely learn the material very well and be prepared to equip yourself with a highly valuable and coveted skillset.
Fall 2020 - Overall this was an extremely useful class with engaging content and assignments. The applications of GIS are endless, and the geography department at UCLA is stellar in teaching this subject. Even before the pandemic, in place of lectures are prerecorded tutorial-esque videos. However, Professor Burkhart was extremely helpful regarding assistance with the weekly projects in the CCLE forums. These projects, typically creating a map or working with spatial data in one form or another, are very time consuming and graded by your TA. My TA Jason was very knowledgeable and helpful with the intricacies such as visual design or QGIS errors and made lab sessions worthwhile with solutions and even examples of his own projects and various applications of GIS. Unfortunately, not all of my peers had the same experience with their TA's and were graded harshly based on aesthetics or inclusion/exclusion of seemingly small details. It also may be difficult to get above an A- as you must go "above and beyond" (which varies according to your TA) if you want to receive 100% on an assignment. Although experiences may differ based on professor and TA, you will definitely learn the material very well and be prepared to equip yourself with a highly valuable and coveted skillset.
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2024 - The class is completely asynchronous with the exception of the lab which could be either in person or online. There is a textbook for the class which you can find on libGen. You must have it as there are weekly (open-book) reading quizzes. The grade weighting is as follows: Syllabus Quiz 5% Weekly Assignments 60% Thematic Discussion Forum 15% Weekly Reading Quizzes 20% The syllabus quiz is really easy, should just be an easy 100% (you can take it many times). The weekly assignments usually consist of making a map in QGIS. It's easy to get a 90% or higher on them, although they can be annoying. Sometimes my TA would grade a bit harshly for no good reason, but as long as you watch the technical demos, you are going to be fine. The forum discussions are really easy, just do them and you'll get a 100% every week. The reading quizzes are free too, open-book and can take them as many times as you would like for a 20/20. Overall, the class is an easy A, would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy science GE. Just know that the assignments can be a bit annoying at times.
Fall 2024 - The class is completely asynchronous with the exception of the lab which could be either in person or online. There is a textbook for the class which you can find on libGen. You must have it as there are weekly (open-book) reading quizzes. The grade weighting is as follows: Syllabus Quiz 5% Weekly Assignments 60% Thematic Discussion Forum 15% Weekly Reading Quizzes 20% The syllabus quiz is really easy, should just be an easy 100% (you can take it many times). The weekly assignments usually consist of making a map in QGIS. It's easy to get a 90% or higher on them, although they can be annoying. Sometimes my TA would grade a bit harshly for no good reason, but as long as you watch the technical demos, you are going to be fine. The forum discussions are really easy, just do them and you'll get a 100% every week. The reading quizzes are free too, open-book and can take them as many times as you would like for a 20/20. Overall, the class is an easy A, would recommend it to anyone who wants an easy science GE. Just know that the assignments can be a bit annoying at times.
AD
Most Helpful Review
Don't take geog7 as GE unless you have some knowledge about the material. It starts off with really easy stuff, but it gets harder after midterm and by the end of quarter, you would regret that you didn't change the grading to P/NP. If you just want B, you don't have to care what I wrote. But if you want A and you don't have any knowledge about the class material, then find some other class.
Don't take geog7 as GE unless you have some knowledge about the material. It starts off with really easy stuff, but it gets harder after midterm and by the end of quarter, you would regret that you didn't change the grading to P/NP. If you just want B, you don't have to care what I wrote. But if you want A and you don't have any knowledge about the class material, then find some other class.
Most Helpful Review
Summer 2019 - The class is great! However, Scott Lydon is not. He is completely useless and did not help at all. He sometimes had vague instructions along with vague answers. Whenever he responded to an email he was SOOO condescending. Honestly this class could have been done without him. The online videos are by a real, good professor, not even him. He literally did not contribute one thing to this class, besides his cocky attitude. But this si a great summer class that does require some work and effort. Definitely not hard to get an A as long as you stay on top of assignments. Scott however, contributed nothing and was absolutely NO help.
Summer 2019 - The class is great! However, Scott Lydon is not. He is completely useless and did not help at all. He sometimes had vague instructions along with vague answers. Whenever he responded to an email he was SOOO condescending. Honestly this class could have been done without him. The online videos are by a real, good professor, not even him. He literally did not contribute one thing to this class, besides his cocky attitude. But this si a great summer class that does require some work and effort. Definitely not hard to get an A as long as you stay on top of assignments. Scott however, contributed nothing and was absolutely NO help.
AD
1 of 3
