GEOG 488/588: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

[Course information is subject to change]

GEOG 488/588: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems Contact Information: David Banis ([email protected]) 4 credits with lectures and lab components

Course Objectives The course includes an overview of the theory and general principles of GIS and practical experience in its use. The practical component involves the use of the desktop GIS software package ArcGIS. Both the theoretical and practical components of the course are important. Without a theoretical understanding of GIS methods, you will make poor geographic modeling decisions and when necessary you will not be able to migrate to a new or different GIS software package. Without a practical understanding of GIS software, your theoretical knowledge cannot be put to use. All students must complete a final project in which they investigate a GIS application in depth.

Text and Readings The text for this course is "GIS Fundamentals 4th Edition," written by Paul Bolstad, 2012. The book that will be used for the computer labs is "Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop 3rd Edition" written by ESRI, 2013. Both books are required.

Lectures A pdf of the Powerpoint slides shown in class will be posted in the I: drive folder after the material has been presented. In-class exercises will be assigned periodically to reinforce key concepts. If you are present in class to do the assignment, you get credit. These exercises cannot be made up.

Computer Labs The lab sessions will be independent study where you will do practical GIS exercises on the computers. These exercises provide a way to acquire skills using ArcGIS and to apply the course concepts to real data. You will be given access to the computer lab in Cramer Hall 469 which you can use any time (except when other classes are being held). The lab book comes with access to a trial version of the software, which allows you to do some of the lab assignments on your own computer (Windows only), or you can pick up a trial version of the software in the geography office.

Project The project is intended to provide a deeper understanding of GIS through an investigation of a particular research problem. You will need to acquire the spatial data and the project should involve some type of spatial analysis using the GIS software packages that we use in class. That means you must do more than just make maps. There are three stages to the project (the dates they are due are listed on the course schedule): 1. Submit a one or two page project proposal. It should include a research question, a detailed description of the spatial and attribute databases you will use, and a conceptual description of the methods you will use. Each student or group should discuss the proposal with the instructor before turning it in. 2. Schedule your presentation for either day during the final week of class. 3. Oral presentations. Every presentation must include the following sections: an Introduction, Datasets Used, Analysis Methods, Results, and Conclusions. Turn in a printed Powerpoint presentation. Graduate students will work on projects individually; a two-person graduate student project team is acceptable with an appropriate increase in project scope. Undergraduates will work on the project in groups of two or three. Groups can be selfselected, or group partners will be assigned by the instructor by the end of Week 3. It is suggested that you use secondary GIS data sources available online to do your project. While you are welcome to digitize or do a GPS survey to create your own spatial dataset, doing so is very time-consuming and is not the purpose of this project. Performing a spatial analysis is the purpose of this project. The grade for your project is based on the cohesiveness and logic of your research question, and the appropriateness of the methods and techniques. The complexity and comprehensiveness of your project will not be criteria for judging the quality of your project.

Exams The midterm will consist of objective questions and short essay questions. The final will be take-home essay questions that you will have a week to complete.

Grading 488: Lab Assignments 40% In-class Exercises 5% Midterm 20% Final 20% Project 15%

588/591: Lab Assignments 30% In-class Exercises 5% Midterm 20% Final 20% Project 25%

Course Schedule

Date

Monday Topic/ Readings

Wednesday Topic/ Readings

Lab

Week 1

Course Overview Intro to GIS

Applications

Lab 1: Introduction to ArcGIS

Week 2

Data Models

Cartography and Map Production

Lab 2: Symbology and Classification

Week 3

Data Sources and Metadata Georeferencing

Lab 3: Projections, Data Sources and Acquisition

Week 4

Data Models (continued)

Geographic Databases

Lab 4: Queries, Selecting by Location, Joins and Relates

Week 5

The Nature of Geographic Data

Uncertainty Project Outline Due

Lab 5: Building a Geodatabase, Creating and Editing Features

Week 6

Midterm

GIS Data Collection

Lab 6: Preparing Data for Analysis and Spatial Analysis

Week 7

Vector Analysis Techniques

Vector Analysis Techniques (continued)

Lab 7: Vector Spatial Analysis

Week 8

Raster Analysis

Raster Analysis (continued) Project Scheduling

Lab 8: Introduction to Raster Spatial Analysis

Week 9

Spatial Statistics and Optimization Techniques

Spatial Modeling

Lab 9: Geocoding Addresses

Week 10

ArcGIS Extensions GIS Software Final exam posted

Student Presentations

Work on Project

Remaining Student Presentations

Final Exam Due