EGEO 450, Intermediate GIS, Fall
2007 crn 41547
"Preliminary Syllabus"
Class Web-Page
http://myweb.facstaff.wwu.edu/~medlerm/classes/07_08/450
Location: AH 16, 2:00-3:50, Tuesday and Thursday
Instructor:
Michael Medler
Office: AH 210, 650-3173
Email: michael.medler@wwu.edu
Office Hours: Wed. 1:00-3:00 (though in office or lab much of the day)
TA: Gerry Gabrisch, Gerry's Page
Office: AH
Office Hours: T,TH 1:00-2:00, and by appointment
Email: gerry@gabrisch.us
GIS Specialist: Stefan Freelan, AH 201, Email: stefan@wwu.edu. 650-2949
Text: GIS Fundamentals, 2nd edition, Paul Bolstad
Intermediate GIS:
Course Objective:
This course assumes each student has a working familiarity with GIS and ArcGIS software (equivalent to one quarter of introductory GIS). The course will provide a brief reintroduction to GIS, then move on to an in-depth examination of spatial data formats, and the fundamentals and applications of computer-aided spatial analysis, and web delivery of GIS products. The course is also specifically catering to GIS minors and setting the stage for the entire year of the EGEO 450,451,452 series.
Introduction:
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is one of the fastest growing sub-fields for many different disciplines including: urban & environmental planning, geographic analysis, scientific and ecological modeling, marketing analysis and governmental management. Most events or conditions that occur within a geospatial context (i.e. they happen somewhere on the Earth) can potentially be analyzed or examined within the framework of a GIS. This fast changing technology has vast implications for the future (some exciting - some of which we should perhaps be cautious about) and you will very likely encounter GIS to some degree in your future career.
This course is intended for students pursuing a minor in GIS and who plan to attend EGEO 451 and EGEO 452. This series is an in depth exploration of the world of GIS. It reviews the basics and quickly progresses through data structures, cartography, and into spatial analysis culminating in an entire quarter centered on a final applied GIS project. Reading is moderate but expectations for interactive class participation are high. This includes regular attendance (extremely important), active class participation in discussion, quick assimilation of new computer programs and the ability to work effectively with others in the lab.
Learning outcomes:
A theoretical understanding of GIS.
An overview understanding of how GIS is being used
Familiarity with various data formats and how to work with them.
Familiarity with ArcGIS and other desktop mapping software.
Ability to create GIS data from field observations.
Ability to use GIS to perform spatial analysis, query data and derive meaningful information.
Ability to think critically about GIS, it's uses and limitations.
Ability to use a GIS package for producing reports and maps.
An intimate understanding of one's own aptitude and interests in GIS.
Lectures will tend to occur on Tuesdays with labs on Thursdays.
Labs (60 points):
We will be using a combination of the ESRI virtual campus and local GIS data sets for the labs in this course. Students will receive free access to the ESRI virtual campus and will complete a set of assignments using the virtual campus, as well as a set of assignments using local data. Labs will be normalized such that they are each worth 10 points. The labs will be due the following Tuesdays at 2:00 PM unless stated otherwise. If the TA is notified before hand, late labs loose only 20% each day late, otherwise worth they are worth 0 points.
Application paper (20 points): Due December 6
Each student will select a single application of GIS and produce a 3-5 page literature review describing the application and conveying to the reader the current "state of the art" of the selected application. The review will include references within the text, and bibliographic situations for at least three articles found in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
|
Date |
Labs and Exercises | Subject
|
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Week 1 Sep. 27 |
Diagnostic quizzes |
Introduction |
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Week 2 Oct. 2, 4 |
Lab 1, Due Oct. 9 ArcGIS review, |
|
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Week 3 Oct. 9, 11 |
Lab 2, Due Oct. 16 |
Read Chapters 1-3 |
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Week 4 Oct. 16, 18 |
Lab 3, Due November 6 |
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Week 5 Oct. 23, 25 |
Lab 4, Due Nov. 6 Field Project |
Read GPS section of Chapter 15 Read Chapters 4-7
|
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Week 6 Oct. 30, Nov 1 |
Lab 5, Due Nov. 13 Field Project Write-ups Vector, Raster |
Geodatabase. ppt |
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Week 7 Nov. 6, 8 |
Lab 6, Due Nov. 13 GPS georeference vector and raster data |
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Week 8 Nov. 13, 15 |
Lab 7, Due Dec. 4 Importing data and Geoprocessing |
Read Chapters 8-10 |
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Week 9 Nov. 20 |
Lab 8, Due Dec. 6 Link to Tool Box Info |
Read Chapters 11-13 |
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Week 10 Nov. 27, 29 |
Work Time |
Read Chapters 14-15 |
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Week 11 Dec. 4, 6 |
Student Presentations December 6th |
Application Paper Due, Dec. 6 |
Quizzes
Grading:
Quizzes: 10%
Labs:60%
Application paper: 20%
Attendance and participation: 10%
*NO FINAL DURING FINALS WEEK
Some other examples from old the archive
Internship Ideas