Geography 620 Geographic Information Systems
Jerry Davis Spring '99
Office HSS 270 (338-2983), GIS Center (HSS 373; 338-6332)
Lecture & Lab: HSS 290
Texts: Chrisman, Exploring Geographic Information Systems.
also: Lecture Notes (originals available in Map Library); Laboratory Exercises (handouts)

Course Description: A geographic information system (GIS) is used to store, analyze, and produce maps and information about features on maps in a computer. There are many types of GIS's, used for many applications in spatial/surface analysis, environmental assessment, resource management, and land use planning. This course will investigate the theory and tools of GIS; the concepts and techniques of spatial data capture, analysis, management, and cartographic output; and the design and evaluation of geographic information systems for specific applications. Direct experience in the use of GIS tools (especially Arc/Info) is emphasized.

Course Objectives: To develop an understanding of geographic information systems sufficient for the student to apply these tools to specific problems.

Course Format: Lecture/Discussion (primarily on Wednesdays), Laboratory/Demos (primarily on Mondays), Readings.

Course Requirements: 2 examinations, readings, computer exercises, and final project.

Special Notes: 1. Email: updated requirements or suggestions for completing exercises will frequently come in the form of email to you. Make sure you know how to use email, and check it frequently. You need to provide me with an your email address - do so by sending a message from your preferred email address with the subject "^subscribe 620"; in the body of the message, identify who you are - often it's not clear from your email address.

Supplies Needed: Course Lab fee. At least 2 zip disks, formatted for PC.

Grading Policy: Grade based upon 2 examinations (25% each) and exercises (see below) including a Modeling Project (30%).

Exercise Due Dates and Grading: Exercises are organized logically, with later exercises dependent upon completion of earlier ones. Since not all exercises have specific products, they are organized into sets, each of which produces something to turn in. Note the due dates for the sets listed below. Exercises vary in difficulty and time requirements.
 
Set Exercises Due date* Grade weight
A 1. Intro 2. Digitizing 3. Editing 2/24 5%
B 4. Attributes 5. Transform 6. Mapjoin 3/10 5%
C 7. Query 8. Arcplot  4/7 5%
D 9. Spatial 10. Buffer/Overlay 11. Proposal 4/21 5%
E Modeling Project** 5/12 25%
F Network Analysis 5/19 (end) 5%

*Exercise Sets are Due at Beginning of Class on the Dates Given, unless otherwise noted.

**Note: Do not expect to be able to complete this project in the last week or two. Assuming you have a typical work/school schedule, you will need the entire time to complete this project.

Schedule of Classes (GEOG 620)
 
Topic  Dates Readings(Chrisman) Exercises
Introduction: The nature of geographic information & computers Vector Mode GIS; Introduction to Arc/Info 1/27, 2/1, 2/3, 2/8 Ch 1 1. Intro 2. Digitizing
Spatial Data Automation & Topology 2/10, 2/15, 2/17, 2/22 Ch. 2 (1 & 2, cont.) 3. Editing
Spatial Transformation & Map Projection 2/24, 3/1 Ch. 3 4. Attributes 5. Transform
Map Module Merging: Edgematching & Joining 3/3, 3/8   6. Mapjoin 
Map Production & Spatial Query Tools  3/10, 3/15  Ch. 4 7. Arcplot 
Exam #1 3/17    
Relational Database Management 3/22, 4/5   8. Query
Spatial Data Manipulation: Generalization, Registration, Dissection, & Updating 4/7, 4/12 Ch. 5 8. (cont) 9. Spatial
Logical Spatial Overlay & Proximity Analysis Introduction to Modeling 4/14, 4/19 Ch. 6 (cont.) 10. Buffer/Overlay
Basic AML & Site Suitability - Habitat Modeling 4/21, 4/26  pp. 123-140 11. Proposal Modeling Project
Basic Cartographic Design 4/28, 5/3    
Implementing a GIS 5/5, 5/10 Ch. 10-11.  
Network Analysis 5/12, 5/17, 5/19 pp. 35-40  12. Network 
Exam #2 5/24: 1:30 p.m.