GEOG372-GIS

Course Description: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is fundamentally an applications-led technology. It's not a new "killer application", but a "must-have" innovative and essential computer application like the word processor, a spreadsheet, or database manager for problem-solving "spatially". Yet, science underpins successful applications. Effective use of a GIS is impossible without understanding the body of knowledge, geographic information science, behind the GIS software tools.

With this premise in mind, the approach taken in this course is to provide the fundamental spatial concepts and principles of GIS with hands-on training in the use of a GIS. Emphasis in placed on using "real" world data such as census, tigerlines, DEMs, soils, landuse/landcover datasets and the steps necessary in using the GIS to solve geographical problems.

By the end of the course, you should have an understanding of GIS development, functionality, methodology for implementing the technology, and its potential usefulness in geographic and environmental studies. ESRI's suite of software packages are used in this course.

Prerequisites: Students should have completed GEOG 250 Computer Methods. If you lack this prerequisite, please talk with Instructor before enrolling.

Class Meetings: Class is scheduled from 2:30-4:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays in the GIS Teaching Classroom located in Penny Hall room 005. Lectures, demonstrations, and exercises will be conducted during this 1 1/2 hour time periods.

Longley, Paul A., Michael F. Goodchild, David J. Maguire, David W. Rhind. 2001. Geographic Information Systems and Science. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 454pp. Required
Reading assignments beyond the text will be announced as the semester progresses and found outside the Instructor's office on top of the file cabinets.

Computer exercises: In-class and out-of-class GIS exercises will be completed on a weekly basis. These exercises are designed to provide hands-on experience with GIS technology and a methodology for implementing a GIS project. The Instructor suggests each student keep a Lab Notebook to record the GIS techniques completed, problems and solutions associated with each technique, thoughts and comments, and other helpful hints discussed in class. The back section may be useful to create a reference of GIS commands and tools, as well as terminology.

Project (assigned if time permits): A class project will be completed using the GIS techniques learned throughout the semester to address a problem as specified by the Instructor. The Instructor will select a research problem and project area, and the class will collect data and perform GIS analysis to obtain a solution to the research question. A project report that defines the problem, explains why GIS is an appropriate tool to achieve a solution, and discussion of the data layers, method of analysis and summary of results is required. The project is due the last day of classes on Wednesday, May 7th .

Grading: Grades will be based upon total points accumulated by the end of the semester.

Class Policies: In-class and out-of-class assignments/exercises will be accepted late, however, a deduction of 1 point will be applied for each day the assignment is late excluding the weekends. A maximum of 50% may be deduced and exercises may be turned in on or before Wednesday, Dec 7th. Quizzes may be rescheduled only if Instructor is given prior notice and an additional time is arranged before the exam date. The makeup exam may be essay.

Assignments	Total Points
4 Quizzes (each worth points each)	200
4-6 In-class exercises and 4-6 Take-home exercises (10-25 points each)	225
Class Individual Project (assigned if time permits)	50
Class Attendance	25