Hello;
Here are some resources that you may find helpful in preparing your GIS course-
Basics of GIS:
MIT class 12.540 Principles of the GPS (Herring)
This is structured material which covers geoid, coordinate systems, GPS and goes on from there.
http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html
Well written explanation of how each type of coordinate system is made and what it is good for.
Software and tools:
http://freegeographytools.com/2008/the-big-list-of-free-basic-gis-programs-a-through-h
Many links to govt and educational GIS sites
http://www.ngs.noaa.gov/geodetic_links.shtml
Good luck,
Holly Glaser, GISP
