Version: 8/24/2011 GEOGRAPHY 387 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems http://www.sonoma.edu/users/c/clamatth/geog387 FALL SEMESTER 2011 Lecture: MoWe, 10:45 am – 12:00 pm, Stev 3072 (Matthew Clark) Lab Section 2: Tu 1:00 – 3:40 pm, Stev 3059 (Matthew Clark) Lab Section 4: We 7:00 – 9:40 pm, Stev 3059 (Elizabeth Lotz) Lab Section 6: Tu 7:00 – 9:40 pm, Stev 3059 (George Riner) Lab Section 8: Th 7:00 – 9:40 pm, Stev 3059 (George Riner) Instructor Dr. Matthew L. Clark Assistant Professor Dept. of Geography and Global Studies Email: [email protected] Office: Stev 3032 Office Hours: TuTh 10:00 am -12:00 pm or by appointment Phone: 707-664-2558 Teaching Assistants Elizabeth Lotz Email: [email protected] Office Hours: by appointment George Riner Email: [email protected] Office hours: by appointment, Stev 3032 Course Overview This course will introduce you to the fundamental concepts underlying Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Topics to be covered include geospatial data models, map projections, acquisition of geospatial data, spatial analysis, data management, case studies and new technological developments. The course has a laboratory component, which introduces students to the ArcGIS software package. Prerequisites Geography 205, knowledge of Microsoft Windows file management, basic college-level math, knowledge of basic statistics helpfulVersion: 8/24/2011 Required Text Paul Bolstad (2008). GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems, 3rd Edition, Eider Press, Minnesota, ISBN: 978-0-9717647-2-9 Available from Atlas books, www.atlasbooks.com (800) 247-6553, $40+ shipping Software: Although there are several commercial and open-source GIS software packages available, the laboratory section of this course will use ArcGIS Desktop by ESRI (www.esri.com). ArcGIS is considered by the user community to be the industry standard. The lectures and labs are designed to teach skills that will transfer to other GIS software packages. You will need to purchase flash (thumb) drive or equivalent USB device to save your work in lab (≥1 GB capacity). Grading Policy: % of Grade Lab assignments (9) 50 (5.5% each) Midterm #1 15 Midterm #2 15 Final 20.5 Total for course 100% Grades will be assigned as follows: A = 100-90%, B = 89-80% C = 79-70% D = 69-60%, F < 60% It is strongly recommended that you attend lab as you will greatly benefit from having an instructor to guide you through the lab assignments. All laboratory assignments are due 1 week after they are assigned section, unless otherwise stated on the course schedule. The due date is by midnight, but it is ideal if you finish each lab before the next lab is assigned so that you do not fall behind and benefit from your instructor’s instructions. Late lab assignments will be reduced by 10% of their total points for each day they are late. Since there is often just one 3 hour lab session to finish an assignment, you may want to answer some questions after lab. The lab will also be open during business hours, except when Lab 2 meets (Tu 1-3:40pm). Your instructor can provide you with a student evaluation version of ArcGIS Desktop (Windows only) that is good for one year from the time you install the software. In all cases, we emphasize that it is important to attend lab and use the after-hours lab time or your evaluation copy as a supplement to your learning. Make-up exams are possible under extenuating circumstances, but you must notify Dr. Clark of the problem immediately -- preferably BEFORE the exam. You will need a note from a doctor, or some other suitable verification of the excuse. If an exam has already been graded and handed back, it will no longer be possible to make it up.Version: 8/24/2011 Plagiarism will not be tolerated and could result in a failing grade. Each student is expected to turn in his/her own written responses to the lab assignments. Do not copy text verbatim from the Internet, labs, help manuals or other materials, as this is a form of plagiarism. If you are a student with a disability and think you may need accommodations in this course, you should notify the instructor as soon as possible, preferably before the last date to drop the class. You should also contact the Disabled Students Services located in 1049 Salazar Hall, (707) 664-2677.Version: 8/24/2011 Course Schedule: Date Lecture Readings Lab Ch.1 No lab Aug 24 Definitions of GIS; Intro to labs and ArcGIS Aug 29 Intro to ArcGIS (cont) Ch. 3 Lab 1: Exploring ArcGIS Aug 31 Review of geospatial coordinate systems Sep 5 Labor Day (campus closed) Ch. 2 Lab 2: Map projections Lab 1 due Sep 7 Geographic representation Sep 12 Data models: Vector Lab 2 (continued) Sep 14 Data models: Vector (cont) Sep 19 Attributes and Databases Ch. 8 Lab 3: Attribute tables and data query Lab 2 due Sep 21 Query and summary of data Sep 26 Cartographic design & map types Lab 4: Cartography and classification Lab 3 due Sep 28 Data models: Raster Oct 3 Data models: Raster (cont) Lab 4 (continue) Oct 5 Midterm Exam #1 Oct 10 Data input: Existing data Ch. 4, 7 Lab 5: Data model transformations Lab 4 due Oct 12 Data input: Digitization & scanning Oct 17 Data input: Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Ch. 5, 6 Lab 5 (continue) Oct 19 Data input: Remote Sensing Oct 24 Vector spatial analysis Ch. 9 Lab 6: Georeferencing and digitization Lab 5 due Oct 26 Vector spatial analysis (cont) Oct 31 Vector spatial analysis (cont) Lab 6 (continue) Nov 2 Guest Lecture: TBA Nov 7 Midterm Exam #2 Lab 7: Vector analysis Lab 6 due Nov 9 Raster spatial analysis Nov 14 Raster spatial analysis (cont) Ch. 10 Lab 8: Raster analysis Lab 7 due Nov 16 Raster spatial analysis (cont) Nov 21 Metadata standards and data quality Ch. 14 Mon and Tues labs only Nov 23 Thanksgiving holiday (campus closed) Nov 28 Internet/Web GIS Nature papers; Ch. 15 Lab 9: Internet-based GIS Lab 8 due Nov 30 Internet/Web GIS (cont) Dec 5 Spatial modeling Ch. 13 Lab 9 due Dec 7 Spatial modeling (cont) Dec 12 Final Exam, 11:00 am – 12:50 pm (Stev