Advanced Geographic Information Science
Geography 419.001
MW 3:00 – 4:15 pm
R 9:00 – 10:40
Mitchell, A. (2005). The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume
2: Spatial Statistics & Measurements.
Zeiler, M. (1999). Modeling Our
World: The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Design.
Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to further students’ knowledge regarding
geographic information science (GIScience) and
geographic information systems (GIS). It is assumed the student has
mastered the principles of GIS as well as having some experience in statistics
and computer programming. The use of GIS for the mapping and analysis of
spatial phenomena has never been more prevalent. This widespread
utilization has increased the demand for basic GIS users as well as people who
understand the advanced intricacies of spatial data handling. This course
will provide that understanding by providing instruction on complex data
issues, sophisticated spatial modeling procedures, and potential system
pitfalls. Upon the completion of this course, the student will be
prepared to utilize GIS at an advanced level, either in a vocational or educational
setting.
Attendance: “The faculty regards the classroom as the center of University life and students are expected to attend all classes (SU Undergraduate Catalog, pg. 73).” However, attendance will not be taken regularly. A significant portion of the exams will be derived from class lectures and laboratory exercises make up a large portion of one’s final grade. Thus, it is to the student’s advantage to attend.
Grading: Grading will be based upon the student’s performance on two examinations, laboratory exercises, laboratory logs, a term project and the student’s level of professionalism. The grading scale will be the standard 90%=A, 80%=B system for each component. Modification to raw exam grades will occur to correct for instrument bias. No modifications or “curve” will be made to final grades.
Exams: A total of three exams will be given: one mid-term lab exam, one mid-term lecture exam and one final lecture exam at the end of the semester. The lecture exams will be comprised of short answer and essay questions and are cumulative. The lab exam will be designed to test technical skills using ArcGIS 9.3 software. The exams will occur according to the schedule included with this syllabus unless otherwise noted. Students that are unable to take the exam at the scheduled time should contact me at least one week ahead of time. Unscheduled make-up exams will only be given in extreme circumstances.
Laboratory Exercises: Eight laboratory exercises will be conducted throughout the semester. Each lab will consist of two parts. The first part will be completed in-class on Thursday. The second part of each lab will be assigned during that lab section and will ask each student to apply what he/she has learned during the tutorial. This second part may be started during the Thursday lab section but will be completed outside of official lab time. Each lab will have specific tasks that must be accomplished and questions that must be answered. Most labs are due at the beginning of class on the Thursday following their assignment. Some labs may be group exercises.
Laboratory Logs: The practice of geographic information systems is a science; experiments are devised, data collected, results generated, and conclusions made. Any scientific study requires that detailed notes be kept to insure the repeatability of the experiment. As more GIS studies are used to bolster legal arguments, the necessity of knowing exactly how a study took place increases in importance. Therefore, students will be required to keep a log of all laboratory exercises. The grades assigned for the lab log will be separate and distinct from the lab grades themselves. Students will be given a score of 0 to 10 based on completeness, neatness, and repeatability potential. Logs will not be examined every week. Each student’s log will be examined randomly at least three times during the semester.
Final GIS Project: The student will complete a term project based on his/her area of interest and the knowledge and skills obtained through the lecture and lab portions of this course. Term projects will entail taking a concept through the data collection, manipulation, analysis, and representation process crucial to using GIS. Students will present their results to the class during the last week of classes. More details will be given later.
Breakdown of Grade Weights:
Mid-term Lab Exam 7%
Mid-term Lecture Exam 8%
Final Lecture Exam 15%
Lab Exercises/Questions 30%
Lab Logs 5%
Final Project 25%
Participation 10%
Last day to drop/add – January 30
Last day to withdraw from course to receive a “W” – April 5
Lecture Schedule
|
Date |
Topic |
Lab |
Readings |
|
Monday,
January 27, 2014 |
Syllabus
discussion and overview,GIS data representations
,The structure of GIS |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
January 29, 2014 |
Geographic data models |
Lab 1: Review of ArcGIS Basics |
Zeiler (3),
Zeiler (7) |
|
Monday,
February 03, 2014 |
GIS Database Design |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
February 05, 2014 |
Cartographic Modeling |
Lab 2: Getting Real-World Data into GIS |
Zeiler (11) |
|
Monday,
February 10, 2014 |
Raster GIS |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
February 12, 2014 |
Cell-based Modeling with Rasters |
Lab 3: Cartographic Modeling |
Zeiler (7), Zeiler
(8) |
|
Monday,
February 17, 2014 |
Watersheds and Raster - are you smarter than Dr. Z? |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
February 19, 2014 |
Linear Modeling with Networks Practical
considerations for networking |
Lab 4: The Cubby Bear |
Zeiler (4) |
|
Monday,
February 24, 2014 |
Linear Modeling in ArcGIS |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
February 26, 2014 |
Spatial interpolation (Kriging) |
Lab 5: Network Analysis |
Zeiler (8) |
|
Monday,
March 03, 2014 |
Spatial interpolation (Kriging) -
examples |
|
Zeiler (8) |
|
Wednesday,
March 05, 2014 |
Advanced Spatial Analysis (identify spatial
patterns) |
Lab 6: Spatial Statistics |
Mitchell (3), Mitchell (5) |
|
Monday,
March 10, 2014 |
Distance analysis, exam review |
|
Mitchell
(2) |
|
Wednesday,
March 12, 2014 |
Proposal Discussion |
Proposal Discussion continued |
|
|
Monday,
March 17, 2014 |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
March 19, 2014 |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
|
Monday,
March 24, 2014 |
Exam |
Zeiler (1),
Zeiler (2) |
|
|
Wednesday,
March 26, 2014 |
Geodatabases |
Lab Practicum |
Zeiler (1) |
|
Monday,
March 31, 2014 |
Making features smart |
Zeiler (12) |
|
|
Wednesday,
April 02, 2014 |
Spatial Algorithms,Vector functions |
Lab 7: Creation of a Geodatabase |
|
|
Monday,
April 07, 2014 |
Vector math ,Computational geometry |
Supplemental |
|
|
Wednesday,
April 09, 2014 |
Library research for final projects |
Work on geodatabase design |
|
|
Monday,
April 14, 2014 |
mop up |
Zeiler (9) |
|
|
Wednesday,
April 16, 2014 |
Final Project discussion |
Lab 9 Present Database Design |
|
|
Monday,
April 21, 2014 |
Final Project |
Zeiler (10) |
|
|
Wednesday,
April 23, 2014 |
Final Project |
Final Project |
|
|
Monday,
April 28, 2014 |
Final Project |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
April 30, 2014 |
Final Project |
Final Project |
Supplemental |
|
Monday,
May 05, 2014 |
Final Exam review |
|
|
|
Wednesday,
May 07, 2014 |
Course review |
Lab Practicum |
Zeiler (12) |
|
Monday,
May 12, 2014 |
Final (in class) Exam |
|
|
|
Monday,
May 20, 2014 |
Final Project Presentations (4:15 – 6:45 pm) |
|
|
***Both schedules are very tentative.
Supplemental readings will be announced one week before scheduled lecture.