Data Models
Introduction to Geospatial Data
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Competency 2. Data Models
Competency 2. Data Models
Assimilate normalized data into an entity-relationship modeled RDBMS using ETL tools.
Begin this competency by expanding a Topic section to view its contents. For each topic, you will complete the following:
Learn about the topic by listening to and watching the lecture video.
Apply your knowledge and skills by completing the demos, exercises, and project summary tasks.
Assess your comprehension by completing the quiz.
Scroll to the bottom of this page and expand the competency-level project to access the project statement of work (SOW) with summary tasks, tasks, and step-by-step instructions along with accompanying project videos.
Topic 2.1. Data Models
Topic 2.1. Data Models
Model tabular and geospatial data using conceptual, logical, and physical entity-relationship diagrams.
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
2.1.1. Describe the components of the Entity-Relationship Model
2.1.2. Label the symbology used in an Entity-Relationship Diagram
2.1.3. Explain conceptual, logical, and physical data models
2.1.4. List the three basic geospatial data models
2.1.5. Use an Entity-Relationship Diagram to model a database
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Exercise: ER Modeling Video Tutorial by Bruce Fulton - ERDPlus Tutorial
Quiz: Data Models
Project: Modeling Neverland Summary Task 1
References
References
What is Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)? Visual Paradigm. Web. 21 Sep, 2019.
Entity-relationship model. Wikipedia. 21 Jan. 2025.
Spatial relation. Wikipedia. 29 Dec. 2023.
Allen, David W. Chapter 1 Designing the Geodatabase Schema. Focus on Geodatabases in ArcGIS Pro. ESRI Press. 2019.
Topic 2.2. Databases
Topic 2.2. Databases
Create database schema and relate tables in a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS).
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
2.2.1. Compare and contrast spreadsheets vs. databases
2.2.2. Explain what database schema is
2.2.3. Differentiate flat-file tables from relational tables
2.2.4. Identify the three cardinal relationships in an RDBMS
2.2.5. List and differentiate the three types of geodatabases
2.2.6. Create table joins and relates in GIS
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Lecture Videos: C2T2PC1, C2T2PC2, C2T2PC3, C2T2PC4a, C2T2PC4b, C2T2PC5-6a, C2T2PC6b
Demonstration Videos & Data: C2T2D2a, C2T2D2b, C2T2C2c & Demo_2-2.zip
Exercise: ESRI Web Course - Build a geodatabase to support Salzburg tourism
Module 1: Create a geodatabase project
Module 2: Evaluate data sources
Quiz: Databases
Project: Modeling Neverland Summary Task 2
References:
References:
Veltman, Noah. SQL: The Prequel (Excel vs. Databases). School of Learning. 7 Nov. 2013.
Database. Wikipedia. 22 Sep. 2019.
Chapple, Mike. What Is a Database Schema? Lifewire. 9 Mar. 2019.
What is a Database? Oracle. 6 Sep. 2019.
What is a geodatabase. ArcGIS Pro Help. 10 Oct. 2024.
Types of geodatabases. ArcGIS Pro Help. 10 Oct. 2024.
Introduction to joins and relates. ArcGIS Pro Help. 8 Oct. 2024.
Geodatabase relationship class types. ArcGIS Pro Help. 4 Oct. 2024.
Allen, David W. Chapter 2 Creating a Geodatabase. Focus on Geodatabases in ArcGIS Pro. ESRI Press. 2019.
Topic 2.3. Data Assimilation
Topic 2.3. Data Assimilation
Use Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) tools to assimilate vector, raster, and triangulated data in a geodatabase with subtypes and attribute domains.
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
By the end of this topic you should be able to:
2.3.1. Explain how ETL is used to assimilate data
2.3.2. Describe how vector data is modeled in GIS
2.3.3. Describe how raster data is modeled in GIS
2.3.4. Describe how triangulated data is modeled in GIS
2.3.5. Create geodatabase subtypes and attribute domains in GIS
2.3.6. Use ETL tools to assimilate data in GIS
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Watch the lecture, step through the demo, do the exercise, take the quiz, and complete the project task(s):
Lecture Videos: C2T3PC1, C2T3PC2, C2T3PC3, C2T3PC4, C2T3PC5, C2T3PC6
Exercise: ESRI Web Course - Build a geodatabase to support Salzburg tourism
Module 3: Prepare the geodatabase schema
Module 4: Populate the geodatabase
Quiz: Data Assimilation
Project: Modeling Neverland Summary Tasks 3-4
References:
References:
Extract, transform, load. Wikipedia. 2 Dec. 2024.
Carter, David. ETL (Extract, Transform, and Load) Process in Data Warehouse. Guru99. 20 Jun. 2024.
Spatial ETL. Wikipedia. 6 Aug. 2024.
Spatial ETL tools. ArcGIS Pro Help. 26 Sep. 2024.
Feature classes. ArcGIS Pro Help. 4 Oct. 2024.
About raster data in Spatial Analyst. ArcGIS Pro Help. 26. Sep. 2024.
Create and manage feature datasets in ArcGIS Pro. ArcGIS Pro Help. 4 Oct. 2024.
An overview of the Relationship Classes toolset. ArcGIS Pro Help. 16 Oct. 2024.
Allen, David W. Chapter 3 Populating and sharing a geodatabase. Focus on Geodatabases in ArcGIS Pro. ESRI Press. 2019.
Project 2. Modeling Neverland
Project 2. Modeling Neverland
Students will use the data modeling process and GIS to recreate Neverland and Disney’s board game.
Like the globe in your elementary school classroom, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is a model of the world. It represents real world features and attributes in a computer system. The process of deciding which features and how to represent them in a GIS is called data modeling. Data modeling typically involves constructing a conceptual, logical, and physical data model. These successive models build on each other as you first describe the basic concepts and rules; next how your features and attributes will be represented and related; and lastly how your data schema will be stored and managed. This can be a complex process, so we’ll start by modeling a simplified version of the world - Peter Pan’s Neverland.
Step through the SOW, download the data, watch the videos, and complete the project deliverables:
Step through the SOW, download the data, watch the videos, and complete the project deliverables:
Statement of Work: Modeling_Neverland_Project_SOW.pdf
Source Data: Modeling_Neverland_Source_Data.zip
Project Videos: C2P2ST1, C2P2ST2a, C2P2ST2b, C2P2ST2c, C2P2ST3a, C2P2ST3b, C2P2ST4a, C2P2ST4b, C2P2ST4c, C2P2ST4d
ACC GISC 1479 Introduction to Geospatial Data Course © 2026 by Sean Moran, GISP is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International. You are free to share (i.e. copy and redistribute) the material the material in any medium or format with attribution to Sean Moran, GISP and Austin Community College.
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