Geog 206/L: Introduction to Geographic Information Science

Course Information Overview

• Geog 206/L
• Saturdays 9:00 am to 1:25 pm
• Room 107, Sierra Hall

Course Description

This course is designed as an introduction to the basic principles of Geographic Information Science (GIScience), including the gathering, creation, analysis, and display of geographic data. Students will be introduced to the ways in which Geographic Information Systems/Science are currently being used to answer geospatial questions, both environmental and social in nature. Laboratories will demonstrate these principles through the use of a GIS software package. Specifically, labs will give students hands‐on experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS software package, as well as other GIS‐related software systems..

Course Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, it is expected that you have a comfortable knowledge of PC navigation and file/folder hierachies and manipulation.

Student Learning Objectives

In accordance with best teaching practices, intended outcomes for this course are made transparent to students at the beginning of the semester. Students should be able to demonstrate at least basic competency in the knowledge and skill sets listed below in order to earn a passing grade in this course. The assessment and evaluation tools used during the semester, designed to measure your success in acquiring these knowledge and skill sets are listed below each learning outcome.

• Building a Foundation of GIS Knowledge
• Acquiring GIS Skills
• Communicating and Applying Knowledge and Skills

Grading

Grading Summary table

Exam #1	20%
Exam #2	20%
Lab Assignments	30%
Lab Quizzes	20%
Group Project	10%

Course Schedule

Note: The following schedules are subject to change at any time.

Reading/Activity

Readings are taken from both the Bolstad and Ormsby texts. Readings are expected to be complete BY OR BEFORE the days noted below:

Saturday, 01/23	Bolstad Ch. 1
Saturday, 01/30	Ormsby Ch. 1-2
Saturday, 02/06	Bolstad Ch. 2
Saturday, 02/13	Bolstad Ch. 7, 14
Saturday, 02/20	Bolstad Ch. 3
Saturday, 03/20	Bolstad Ch. 8
Saturday, 03/27	Bolstad Ch. 9
Saturday, 04/17	Bolstad Ch. 4
Saturday, 04/24	Bolstad Ch. 6

Lecture Presentations

Lecture slides are provided for you here. Please use these as a guide for your note-taking!

Saturday, 01/23	Introduction to GIS
Saturday, 01/30	Intro to ArcGIS and ArcMap
Saturday, 02/06	GIS Data Models and Formats
Saturday, 02/13	Coordinate Systems and Projections
Saturday, 02/20	Data Sources, Data Entry, and Data Management
Saturday, 02/27	Symbolization and Classification
Saturday, 03/06	What Makes a Good Map?
Saturday, 03/20	Database Managment & Queries
Saturday, 03/27	Introduction to Spatial Analysis
Saturday, 04/24	Creating and Editing Data
Saturday, 05/01	Work on Group Projects

In-Class Tasks/Tutorials

In-class tasks are just that.....skill building tasks/tutorials we will complete DURING lab periods:

Saturday, 01/30	Ormsby Ch. 3 & 4 tutorial
Saturday, 02/06	Ormsby Ch. 13 Tutorial
Saturday, 02/13	"Working with Map Projections" assignment sheet
Saturday, 02/2	"Data Sources & Management" assignment sheet
Saturday, 02/27	Ormsby Ch. 5-6 tutorial
Saturday, 03/06	Ormsby Ch. 7, 18-19 tutorial
Saturday, 03/20	Ormsby Ch. 8-9 tutorial
Saturday, 03/27	Ormsby Ch. 10-12 tutorial
Saturday, 04/03	Continuation of Assignments 9a and 9b
Saturday, 04/10	SPRING BREAK!
Saturday, 04/17	Ormsby Ch. 14-15 tutorial
Saturday, 04/24	Ormsby Ch. 16-17 tutorial
Saturday, 05/01 thru Saturday, 05/15	Work on Group Projects

Assignments

Assignments are due no later than one week after the date noted below:

Saturday, 01/23	Lab #1: GIS on the Web
Saturday, 01/30	Lab #2: Getting to Know ArcGIS and ArcMap
Saturday, 02/06	Lab #3: Data Formats and Models
Saturday, 02/13	Lab #4: Working with Map Projections	DATA
Saturday, 02/20	Lab #5: Data Sources and Management	DATA
Saturday, 02/27	Lab #6: Symbolization and Classification
Saturday, 03/06	Lab #7: Map Design and Text
Saturday, 03/20	Lab #8: Database Management & Queries	DATA
Saturday, 03/27	Lab #9a: Intro. to Spatial Analysis Lab #9b: More Practice with SA
Saturday, 04/03	Continuation of Assignments 9a and 9b	DATA
Saturday, 04/10	SPRING BREAK!!
Saturday, 04/17	Lab #10: Data Entry and Editing Part I
Saturday, 04/24	Lab #11: Data Entry and Editing Part II
Saturday, 05/15	Group Projects DUE!!!	Grade Sheet

Quizzes/Exams

Quizzes are designed as 'practical' demonstrations of your skill using the ArcGIS software. Exams are designed to test your knowledge of the conceptual foundations of GIS and are in written form. You will not use the software for the exams.:

Saturday, 02/13	Quiz #1
Saturday, 03/06	Quiz #2
Saturday, 03/13	Midterm Exam	Study Guide	Practice Questions	Practice Qs Key
Saturday, 04/17	Quiz #3
Saturday, 05/15	Final Exam	Study Guide	Practice Questions	Practice Qs Key