Module Overview - Map Projections

General Module Objectives: After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Understand the basic principles of map projections;
• Identify various map projections properties;
• Recognize the distortions associated with map projections based on respective projection properties;
• Understand the need for careful selection of appropriate map projections;
• Apply the basic principles and properties of map projections to the selection of appropriate projections for specific land areas and map types or themes;

• Projection Family
• Tangency or Case
• Aspect
• Central Meridian
• Perspective
• Mathematical Properties

• Textbook - Dent, B.: Cartography, Thematic Map Design, Fourth Edition, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, IA, 1996;
• U.S.G.S. Map Projections Poster (comes with the above textbook; see also *);
• Module notes on Introduction to Map Projections;
• An Atlas or Globe;
• Possibly two-three hours on-line to view and discuss linked on-line map projections (see also Time Requirements).

Activities:

The primary activities in this module including reading, review, and guided discussion of on and off-line materials, map projections demonstrations or video, viewing of on-line map projections, in-class group activities, and answering questions from the exercise.

Time Requirements:

The module consists of background information and a 3-part exercise. The information could be read within an hour, although students may take longer when linking to other sites. The instructor will need two 1 hour and 20 minute lecture periods to cover and reinforce map projections concepts and their application to projection selection. The exercise itself consists of Three Parts: 1 - Basic Projection Principles and Properties; 2 - Comparing Distortions among Projection Types; and 3 - Selecting Appropriate Projections. Because the questions require careful review of on and off-line materials, and sometimes descriptive written answers, the instructor should have students work on each part during a two 2-hour lab period. Since much of the work must be done on-line, students will need access to appropriate computer facilities outside of class time. An approximate breakdown of time required per section for the exercise is as follows:

• Part 1, Section One: 45 minutes
• Part 1, Section Two: One hour
• Part 2, Section One: 45 minutes
• Part 2, Section Two: 45 minutes
• Part 3: One hour, 30 minutes

Difficulty:

This module is intended for introductory level cartography or mapping courses. Students generally range from sophomores to graduate level, with little or no previous cartographic background. Some may not even be geography majors. The students will thus need the instructor to provide a thorough review of map projection principles, preferably with demonstrations (e.g., with a centrally lit globe, or a video on projections) prior to attempting the exercise. Simply reading the background information in this module will probably not be sufficient, as students tend to have a hard time conceptualizing map projections. From experience, however, students do quite well with the exercise following a thorough coverage of map projection principles and properties. Students will, of course, need to be comfortable with Netscape. Note that GIS and Remote Sensing students may find the module useful as well, but will need guidance if they have not studied cartography.

Return to: General Module Objectives above

On to Unit One: Introduction to Map Projections

Created 6/4/97 by Laurie A. B. Garo. Last updated 9/20/00 by lg. The URL for this page is http://www.uncc.edu/lagaro/cwg/mapproj/mod_overview.html