GI25401 Cartography and GIS – Semester IV – Geo – R-2025

Subject Code & Name: GI25401 – Cartography and GIS

Regulation: R-2025

Semester: IV (Fourth Semester)

Branch: B.E. Geoinformatics Engineering (Geo)

Credits / L-T-P: 5 Credits | L-T-P: 3-0-4

Course Objectives

• To develop skills in GIS data input, management, analysis, quality assessment, and production of standard-compliant maps using modern geospatial tools. Elements of Cartography and Map Projections Fundamentals of cartography – Types of maps and map scales – Elements of a map – Map projections: properties (shape, area, distance, direction) – Perspective and.

Full Unit-wise Syllabus

Unit I – Elements of Cartography and Map Projections

Fundamentals of cartography – Types of maps and map scales – Elements of a map – Map projections: properties (shape, area, distance, direction) – Perspective and mathematical projections – Indian maps and projections – Map coordinate systems: UTM and UPS references – Tracing features from Survey of India Toposheets.

Practical: 1. Tracing and interpretation of features from Survey of India Toposheet. 2. Conversion of geographic coordinates to UTM coordinates and scale calculation.

Unit II – Map Design and Cartographic Production

Map layout principles – Symbols and conventional signs – Graded and ungraded symbols – Color theory in cartography – Map lettering and visualization – Map generalization – Geometric transformations: Bilinear and affine transformations – Map production and printing techniques – Preparation of thematic maps using appropriate symbolization and layout design.

Practical: 1. Preparation of thematic map using appropriate symbolization (choropleth / proportional symbols). 2. Designing a complete map layout with title, legend, scale, north arrow, and color scheme.

Unit III – Fundamentals of GIS and Data Models

Introduction to GIS – History and components of GIS (hardware, software, data, people, methods) – Spatial and attribute data – Raster, vector, TIN and GRID data models – Raster vs vector data structures – Raster data compression – Basic spatial database concepts – Exploration of raster and vector data using GIS software.

Practical: 1. Creation of raster and vector layers using GIS software. 2. Creation and management of attribute tables and basic spatial queries.

Unit IV – GIS Data Input, Topology and Data Quality

Scanner and raster data input – Vector data input and on-screen digitization – Georeferencing – Coordinate transformation and reprojection – Datum and projection concepts – Topology: adjacency, connectivity, containment – Linking attribute data to spatial data – Raster–vector conversions – Data quality (completeness, positional and thematic accuracy) – Metadata and GIS standards – Map compilation and output generation.

Practical: 1. Georeferencing and digitization of a scanned map with topology creation. 2. Projection, reprojection, and raster–vector conversion with final map output generation.

Tasks

• Toposheet interpretation, coordinate conversion, and georeferencing for applications in cadastral mapping and spatial data creation.
• Raster–vector data creation, attribute management, spatial queries, and topology for applications in GIS database development and spatial analysis.
• Thematic mapping, geometric transformation, and map layout design for applications in cartographic visualization and decision support systems.

Course Outcomes (COs)

• CO1: Explain cartographic principles, projections, and map design elements for spatial representation.
• CO2: Apply GIS data models and perform spatial data input, georeferencing, and coordinate transformations.
• CO3: Analyze and manage raster and vector datasets using GIS tools.
• CO4: Evaluate GIS data quality and generate standard-compliant digital maps.

Assessment Pattern (Quick Note)

• Weightage: Continuous Assessment 50% | End Semester Examinations 50% Methodology for Continuous Assessment : Quiz (5%), Project (15%), Assignment Programs (25%), Practical (25%), Internal Examinations (30%)

Source: Official Anna University – B.E. Geoinformatics Engineering R-2025 Syllabus
Last Updated: October 2026