Syllabus
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GEOG-2470

Spring 2012
01/17/2012 - 03/11/2012

Course Information

Section 002
Lecture
MW 18:30 - 21:10
SAC1 1209
Mary Booth

Office Hours

No office hours have been entered for this term

Disclaimer

The information on this page does NOT contain all the information on the class syllabus. You will receive the complete class syllabus on the first day of class. The syllabus will also be on the Blackboard class site.

Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

Course Level Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, the student will

  • define geography and GIS
  • describe scale, projection, and coordinate systems and explain importance of each in GIS
  • differentiate between vector, raster, and object-oriented data structures and explain the appropriate use of each of these data structures
  • describe various types of GIS data capture
  • explain the basics of GIS data storage,
  • differentiate between attribute analysis and spatial analysis and describe the appropriate use of each type of analysis,
  • produce effective maps of analytical results which adhere to established cartographic standards
  • demonstrate proficiency with GIS software

 

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Associate of Arts in GIS program, the student will

  • use GIS knowledge to choose appropriate problem-specific spatial analyses
  • differentiate between attribute and spatial queries and describe the proper use of each
  • use GIS technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present spatial information  

Course Requirements

Grading

Tests

There will be three lecture exams. Each test is worth a maximum of 100 points. You must start the test BEFORE anyone finishes the test, so do not be late on test days. There are NO retests. Make-up tests will only be given in the event that a true emergency prevents you from taking the test at the scheduled time. You must contact the instructor as soon as safely possible if you miss a test. The instructor will determine what constitutes a true emergency.

 

Lab Projects

There will be two lab projects due throughout the semester. These lab projects will use the skills acquired from the previous lab exercises. The first lab project will be worth a maximum of 50 points, and the second lab project will be worth a maximum of 80 points. Details about the lab projects will be provided on the lab project assignment sheet.

 

Lab Homework

There will be 5 lab homework assignments. Each assignment is worth 10 points. Late homework assignments will NOT be accepted.

 

Written Assignment

There will be one written assignment. It will be a map critique. The written assignment will be worth 20 points. Late written assignments will NOT be accepted.

 

Lab Quiz

 On February 27th, there will be an in-lab hands-on lab quiz. You will not be able to use your notes or lab book, but you will be able to use ArcGIS’s help feature. I will give you 3 practice lab quizzes ahead of time. These are intended for you to gain practice with the software before the actual lab quiz. The lab quiz is worth a maximum of 100 points.

 

 

Grades will be based on the following:

Lecture exams                         300 points

Lab projects                               130 points

Lab Homework                            50 points

Written Assignment                     20 points

 Lab Quiz                                      100 points

Total Points Avalable                600 points

 

Final letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A         540 to 600 points
B         480 to 539 points
C         420 to 479 points
D         360 to 419 points
F              0 to 359 points

*Note: The grade of “I” (Incomplete) is very rarely assigned in this course. In the event that a true emergency (such as hospitalization) prevents the student from taking the last test, a grade of “I” may possibly be given at the discretion of the instructor. Incompletes must be made up by the deadline published in ACC’s academic calendar (sometime in the middle of the Summer semester, 2012), or the “I” will automatically be converted to an “F”. 

Course Subjects

Course Calendar

 

The instructor reserves the right to change the lecture schedule if necessary.

 

January 18

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Syllabi
  • Getting User IDs and passwords for lab computers

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overview of lab chapter 3
  •  (http://www.austincc.edu/mbooth/hybrid2470/video_lib_hybrid.html)
  • Complete all the exercises in chapter 3 in the lab book.
  • Read the article “what is GIS?” by Caitlin Dempsey on the GIS Lounge website (http://gislounge.com/what-is-gis/)
  • Read Chapters 1 and 2 in the "Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop" lab book. Chapter 1 describes GIS and Chapter 2 introduces you to the ArcGIS software that will be used throughout the semester.

 

These things are optional:

  • Watch the videos for the all the exercises in Chapters 3. (http://www.austincc.edu/mbooth/hybrid2470/video_lib_hybrid.html)

 

 

January 23

 

What we will cover in class:

 

  • Introduction/Definition of GIS
  • Watch Penn State’s “Geospatial Revolution” videos (Episode 1)

 

 

What you must do on your own:

 

  • Watch Penn State’s “Geospatial Revolution” videos (episodes 2, 3, and 4) (http://geospatialrevolution.psu.edu/)
  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 4 and 5.
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 4 and 5 in the lab book
  • Complete Lab Homework #1. It is due at the beginning of class on Jan 30th.

 

These things are optional:


 

  • Peruse the following. Each of these websites illustrates how local agencies are using GIS.

Sidewalk Planning: A GIS-based Approach in Austin, Texas

Texas General Land Office

Capital Area Planning Council's GIS Services

  • Read the following article on classification methods. It explains the classification methods used in ArcGIS in more detail. Make sure that you click on each of the links to explore all the classification methods.

Standard Classification Schemes (ArcGIS Desktop Help)

  •  

 

January 25

What we will cover in class:

  • Scale, Projection and Coordinate Systems

 

What you must do on your own:

 

These things are optional:

 


 

 

 

January 30

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Data Sources
  • Steps in a GIS project

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 7 and 8.
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 7 and 8 in the lab book.
  • Complete Lab Homework #2. It is due at the beginning of class on February 6th.

 

These things are optional:

 

 

February 1

What we will cover in class:

  • Vector Data Structure
  • Data Quality, Accuracy and Precision

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 9 and 10
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 9 and 10 in the lab book.
  • Complete lab homework #3. It is due at the BEGINNING of class on February 8th.

 

These things are optional:

 

 

 


 

February 6

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Raster Data Structure

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 11 and 12
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 11 and 12
  • Complete lab homework #4. It is due at the BEGINNING of class on Feb 13th
  • Start working on Lab Project #1

 

 

These things are optional:

 

  • Watch the videos for the all the exercises in Chapters 11and 12.

 

February 8 and 13

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Test 1 (first hour of class on Feb 8th – don’t be late!)
  • Cartography
  • Map Critiques

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Finish Lab Project #1. Lab Project 1 is due Feb 20th.
  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 18, and 19
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 18, and 19
  • Complete the written assignment  (Map Critique). This written exercise is due Feb 22nd.

 

 

These things are optional:

 

 


 

February 15

         

          What we will cover in class:

  • Data capture

 

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 14 and 15
  • Complete all the exercises in chapters 14 and 15
  • Complete lab homework #5. It is due at the BEGINNING of class on Feb 27th.

 

These things are optional:

 

 

February 20 and 22

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Test 2 (first hour of class on Feb 20th)
  • Database Management
  • Queries

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 16 and 17
  • Complete  all the exercises in chapters 16 and 17
  • Start working on Lab Project 2. It is due March 7th.

 

These things are optional:

 

Feb 27

 

What we will cover in class:

  • Lab Quiz on  February 27th  – first 75 minutes of class
  • Statistical Analysis

 

 

 

What you must do on your own:

 

  • Continue working on Lab Project 2. It is due March 7th.

 


 

These things are optional:

 

 

 

 

Feb 29 and Mar 5

 

What we will cover in class/lab:

  • Spatial Analysis
  • Continue working on Lab Project #2

 

What you must do on your own:

  • Continue working on Lab Project #2
  • Read the Legal Issues handout that the instructor will give you.

 

These things are optional:

 

  • For a scholarly look at Spatial Analysis, "Geospatial Analysis" by de Smith, Goodchild and Longley addresses the full spectrum of analytical techniques that are provided within modern GIS and related geospatial software products. http://www.spatialanalysisonline.com/

 

March 7

 

What we will cover in class/lab:

  • Test 3 (first hour of class)
  • Project #2 Presentations

Readings

Readings

 

January 18

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overview of lab chapter 3
  •  (http://www.austincc.edu/mbooth/hybrid2470/video_lib_hybrid.html)
  • Read the article “what is GIS?” by Caitlin Dempsey on the GIS Lounge website (http://gislounge.com/what-is-gis/)
  • Read Chapters 1 and 2 in the "Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop" lab book. Chapter 1 describes GIS and Chapter 2 introduces you to the ArcGIS software that will be used throughout the semester.

 

Optional:

  • Watch the videos for the all the exercises in Chapters 3. (http://www.austincc.edu/mbooth/hybrid2470/video_lib_hybrid.html)

 

 

January 23

 

Required:

 

Optional:

  • Watch the videos for the all the exercises in Chapters 4 and 5.
  • A great website about GIS careers and Education: http://geoinfo.sdsu.edu/hightech/index.htm
  • Peruse the following. Each of these websites illustrates how local agencies are using GIS.

Sidewalk Planning: A GIS-based Approach in Austin, Texas

Texas General Land Office

Capital Area Planning Council's GIS Services

  • Read the following article on classification methods. It explains the classification methods used in ArcGIS in more detail. Make sure that you click on each of the links to explore all the classification methods.

Standard Classification Schemes (ArcGIS Desktop Help)

 

 

January 25

Required:

 

Optional:

 

January 30

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 7 and 8.

 

Optional:

 

February 1

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 9 and 10

 

Optional:

 

February 6

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 11 and 12

 

Optional:

  • Watch the videos for the all the exercises in Chapters 11and 12.

 

February 8 and 13

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 18, and 19

 

Optional:

 

February 15

            Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 14 and 15

 

Optional:

 

 

February 20 and 22

Required:

  • Watch the videos for the overviews of lab chapters 16 and 17

 

Optional:

 

Feb 27

Optional:

 

 

Feb 29 and Mar 5

Required:

  • Read the Legal Issues handout that the instructor will give you.

 

Optional:

  • For a scholarly look at Spatial Analysis, "Geospatial Analysis" by de Smith, Goodchild and Longley addresses the full spectrum of analytical techniques that are provided within modern GIS and related geospatial software products. http://www.spatialanalysisonline.com/