GIS 4043/L FALL 2006
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Class: UWF Combs, 5:30 to 8:25pm, Lab 8:30 to
10:15pm Wed
Bldg. 4, Room 4001
Instructor: Dr. Wilbur Hugli, Ed.D.
(850) 833-3441; E-Mail: whugli@uwf.edu
PNS: T/Th 10:00 - 11;00AM; Combs
(FWB): W 2 – 4PM; Eglin W 9 – 10:30am
Course
Description:
- This course examines spatial data structures,
data acquisition, processing, management, manipulation, and analysis for
interdisciplinary applications and research. A spatial database will be
queried to solve spatial problems, analyze related attributes, and produce
computerized cartographic output.
- Permission is required.
- A material and supply fee will be assessed for
the corresponding lab.
Course
Goals:
- By the end of the course students will be able
to:
- Identify the key
components of a Geographic Information System
- Demonstrate
Geographic Information System technical software skills
- Create, edit, and
transform spatial data
- Utilize Geographic
Information Systems for spatial analyses
- Solve
"real-world" problems utilizing Geographic Information Systems
- Utilize Geographic
Information Systems for mapping
Course
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites
Co-Requisites:
Learning
Outcomes:
· Aug 30 Module 1: Geographic
Information Systems
- Students will be
able to:
- Review materials
on how to utilize Elearning technology to
reach the goals set by this course
- Demonstrate
knowledge of Internet operation enrolling in an ESRI virtual campus
course, and
- Install necessary
plug-ins
· Sep 6 Module 2: Defining
Geographic Information Systems
- Students will be
able to:
- Define GIS
- Distinguish
between spatial information systems and traditional information systems
- Identify the
consistent themes present in a variety of definitions of Geographic
Information Systems
- Compare and
contrast the traditional definitions of GIS and the expanded
definition offered by current authors
- Expand upon the
basic definition of Geographic Information Systems by incorporating
Chrisman's societal/cultural influences
· Sep 13 Module 3: Roots of
GIS
- Students will be
able to:
- Identify the key
individuals during the formative years of GIS
- Describe the role
of overlay analysis in the development of GIS
- Differentiate
between Computer Cartography and GIS
- Explain the roles
of overlay analysis and thematic mapping in GIS development
- Construct a
timeline of GIS development
· Sep 20 Module 4 &
Module 5: Map Projections and Coordinate Systems*
- Students will be
able to:
- Identify the
potential for distortion when projecting maps
- Compare and
Contrast differing developable surfaces
- Define map
projection parameters according to the information contained within
metadata
- List strengths
and weaknesses of different map projections
- Describe and
define the properties of Geographic Coordinate Systems
- Compare the
properties of differing coordinate systems
· Sep 27 Module 6: GIS Data
- Students will be
able to:
- Identify and
distinguish spatial and non-spatial data
- Identify a source
of spatial data
- Classify
differing data types
- Relate Stevens
“Scales of Measurement” to GIS data
- Identify data
relationships
- Distinguish
information from data
· Oct 4 Module 7: Raster Data
I
- Students will be
able to:
o
Visually distinguish between raster and vector datasets
o
Calculate or identify raster attributes such as
resolution, area, perimeter, number of bands
o
Assess situations that are best suited to raster analysis
o
Weigh the benefits / cost of using raster data
o
Construct a raster dataset
o
Combine raster datasets and perform mathematical
operations
o
Compress a raster dataset and defend their compression
method
· Oct 11 Module 8: Raster
Data II*
- Students will be
able to:
- Understand basic
cell modeling concepts
- Use ArcGIS Spatial Analyst tools in dialog boxes, models
and the command line
- Control analysis
results using geoprocessing environment
settings
- Create continuous
surface maps
- Create distance
raster datasets
- Construct least
cost paths
- Generate density
maps
- Convert vector
data to raster data
- Perform view shed
analysis
- Perform
neighborhood and zonal analysis
· Oct 18 Module 9: Vector
Data
- Students will be
able to:
- Identify vector
datasets and their key components
- Demonstrate an
understanding of topology
- Simplify a vector
line data file using the Douglas-Peucker
approach
- Construct a
vector dataset
- Select a suitable
vector datatype
- Assess situations
that are best suited to vector data
- Oct 25 Module 10: Vector Data II*
- Students will be
able to:
o
Create and edit vector datasets
o
Symbolize vector datasets
o
Create reports and design maps
o
Perform vector analysis (geoprocessing,
moduls, queries)
o
Symbolize and label maps
o
Navigate in the ArcGIS
environment
- Nov 1 Module 11: Data Analysis and
Analytical Modeling
- Students will be
able to:
o
Calculate the length area and perimeter of differing
datasets
o
Summarize the differing methods of interpolation
o
Create buffers
o
Reclassify raster datasets
o
Conduct a spatial query
o
Conduct surface analysis
- Nov 18 Module 12: GIS Design,
Implementation and Management
- Students will be
able to:
o
Identify the conponents of a
successful GIS
o
Identify why GIS often fail in the long-term
o
Distinguish from different approaches for managing a
GIS
o
Differentiate between maps and other forms of GIS
output
o
Evaluate the role of the internet in the development
of GIS
o
Relate GIS to the wider discision
making process
Text Books:
- Chrisman N., (2001) Exploring Geographic
Information Systems. Wiley, New
York, NY. 2nd
Edition.
- Clarke K, (2002) Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems. Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River,
NJ. 4th Edition,
- Demers M, (2003) Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. Wiley, New York, NY.
3rd Edition.
- Heywood I, Cornelius S, Carver S, (2002) An Introduction to Geographical Information
Systems. Prentice Hall, Upper
Saddle River, NJ.
2nd Edition,
Grading /
Evaluation:
|
Grading Scale
|
|
Letter Grade
|
UWF Scale Quality Points
|
Grade
|
|
A
|
4
|
93% +
|
|
A-
|
3.7
|
90 < 93%
|
|
B+
|
3.3
|
87 < 90%
|
|
B
|
3
|
83 < 87%
|
|
B-
|
2.7
|
80 < 83%
|
|
C+
|
2.3
|
77 < 80%
|
|
C
|
2
|
73 < 77%
|
|
C-
|
1.7
|
70 < 73%
|
|
D+
|
1.3
|
67 < 70%
|
|
D
|
1
|
60 < 67%
|
|
F
|
0
|
< 60%
|
All work
must be submitted by the due date. Each day your assignment is late 20 points
(on a 100 scale) will be deducted from the assignment grade. After 5 days
you will receive a grade of zero.
Mid term exam 10%
Final exam 10%
Summary Paragraphs 50%
Discussion Post 10%
Lab Exercises 20%
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
- Academic Conduct Policy: (Web Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF Format)
- Plagiarism Policy: (Word
Format) | (PDF Format) | (RTF
Format)
- Student Handbook: (PDF
Format)
- As members of the University of West
Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty. As
we strive for excellence in performance, integrity, personal and
institutional, is our most precious asset. Honesty in our academic work is
vital, and we will not knowingly act in ways which erode that integrity.
Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate cheating, nor to
plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share community resources in
ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of
fairness. Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and
are encouraged. Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to
individual performance. We will compete constructively and professionally
for the purpose of stimulating high performance standards. Finally, we
accept adherence to this set of expectations for academic conduct as a
condition of membership in the UWF academic community.
ASSISTANCE:
- Students with special needs who require
specific examination-related or other course-related accommodations should
contact Barbara Fitzpatrick, Director of Disabled Student Services (DSS),
dss@uwf.edu, (850) 474-2387. DSS will provide the student with a letter
for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations.
Additional
Requirements:
- Access to broadband internet connection.
* Adapted from ESRI 2005 Course Catalog