Dr. Arthur J. Lembo, Jr.

Office Hours:

HS 157H MWF 8:00 – 10:00 am,

(410) 677-0140
ajlembo@salisbury.edu

Mitchell, A. (2005). The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 2: Spatial Statistics & Measurements. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press. ISBN 1-58948-116-X

Zeiler, M. (1999). Modeling Our World: The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Design. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press. ISBN 1-879102-62-5

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%

Classroom Environment: Students are expected to contribute to an environment appropriate for learning that considers and respects the needs and rights of others. Any academic misconduct will be confronted and handled accordingly. Please silence all electronic devices while in class. Do not arrive late and do not leave early – the door will be closed at 12:35.

Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. Students should pay special attention to the expectations discussed in the 2005-2006 Student Handbook and 2005-2007 University Catalog. Violating these rules will result in significant grade penalties up to and including a failing grade for the course. Extreme cases of academic misconduct can result in expulsion from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum: All writing assignments, both formal and informal, are in support of Salisbury University’s Writing Across the Curriculum Program.

Important University Dates for Fall

Last day to drop/add – January 30

Last day to withdraw from course to receive a “W” – April 5

Changes to Syllabus: This syllabus may be modified or changed by the instructor as necessary. Students will be notified of the changes in class.

Lecture Schedule

Date	Topic	Lab	Readings
Monday, January 27, 2014	Syllabus discussion and overview,GIS data representations ,The structure of GIS		Dangermond article
Wednesday, January 29, 2014	Geographic data models	Lab 1: Review of ArcGIS Basics	Zeiler (3), Zeiler (7)
Monday, February 03, 2014	GIS Database Design		Chambers
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.