Introduction to Mapping Science
Fall 2005
Study Guide for Mid Term Exam
This exam will cover the material covered thus far in the course. This includes the text book chapters: 1, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Powerpoint lectures 1, 3, 4, 5, & 6 and the exercises 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5.
The Powerpoint lectures and class exercises are available on the class web page.
The exam will consist of approximately ¼ multiple choice, ¼ fill in the blank or short answer, ¼ problem (similar to homework exercises), and ¼ essay.
Use the following topics guide to help you focus your study.
Cartography: various definitions of a map, thematic maps, general reference maps, types of cartographic data depicted on a map, visual dimensions of cartographic symbols, qualitative cartographic symbols, quantitative cartographic symbols,
GIS: define GISystems, define GIScience. What it is. What it does. How it models space. What are the major data formats? How do they represent space? GIS data processing and analysis.
Remote Sensing: What is it? How does it work? How is it used in GIS and mapping? What is the role of the electromagnetic spectrum? What are some of the different kinds of remote sensing platforms and formats. What is image classification?
Earth’s Size and Shape: know the size
Coordinate Systems: Cartesian coordinates, polar coordinate systems, The Global coordinate system, great circles, be familiar with the graticule and its components.
Angular measures and decimal degrees conversions’
Projections: define, characteristics that are maintained by various projections, geometric approach to projections, use of projections, developable surface, location of light sources, distortion, projection orientation, tangent lines, secant lines,
Mapping Coordinate Systems: have a thorough understanding of the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) mapping system, have a thorough understanding of the NJ State Plane mapping system.
Scale: what is scale and how does it work with globes and maps; nominal scale of a map; various means of specifying scale; converting between scale types;
Measurement: how to use the Pythagorean formula to calculate distance between two points in a flat Cartesian coordinate system; how to use the formula for calculating the dist between two point on the earth along a great circle;
Topographical Map Reading: symbols
Know how to translate between Verbal, Graphic and Representative Fraction scales
Know how to calculate decimal degrees, great circle distances (I’ll provide the formula)
Bring a Calculator with trigonometric functions!