INSTRUCTOR:
 

Name:	Dr. Chuck Ziehr (pronounced "Z-ear"), Professor of Geography
Office:	Seminary Hall 313
Office Hours:	8:30-10:00 MWF, 9:00-11:00 TTh, or by appointment (I’m around a lot)
Phone:	(918) 456-5511 ext. 3525
Fax:	(918) 458-2390
E-Mail:	ziehr@nsuok.edu
WWW:	http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~ziehr/

 

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:	CLASS TIME & DAYS & PLACE:
GEOG 3523     Computer Cartography	12:30-1:45 TTh, NET 307

PREREQUISITES:

Basic familiarity with maps and computer proficiency
 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

Cartographic principles and techniques involved in computerized map-making. Provides experience with desktop mapping software.
 

COURSE PURPOSE:

The purpose is two-fold: (1) to provide a general introduction to the principles and techniques of computer cartography (computer mapping) focusing mostly on map design, and (2) to give hands-on, map-making experience using ArcView GIS software. The "computer" part of the course will focus on applications not on programming. The first part of the course will be a review of fundamental mapping concepts such as coordinate systems, scale, projections, and types of maps. The second portion of the course (consisting of about two-thirds of the semester) will cover computer cartography principles and techniques such as data structures, digitizing, thematic map design, and cartographic analysis. Concurrently with these conceptual issues, the students will be applying these ideas in actual mapping applications using ArcView GIS (general-purpose, desktop mapping/GIS software) and a variety of mapping software on the Worldwide Web.
 

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

Each student will be expected to:

1. Design a thematic map using basic principles of map design.
2. Be able to manipulate coordinates, data, symbols, and map projections to produce maps for problem-solving.
3. Become proficient with ArcView GIS software to design and produce maps. [The course does not involve "programming" in the traditional sense. Students will have to determine the series of commands necessary for ArcView to produce maps.]

 

Required Textbook:
Cartography: Thematic Map Design, 5^th edition. Borden D. Dent. New York: WCB/McGraw-Hill, 1999.

There WILL be a few other required readings from material on reserve in the library and/or available on the World Wide Web. In addition there will be considerable use (in the lab) of the tutorial and reference manuals for ArcView GIS.

Recommended (Optional) Textbook:
Getting to Know ArcView GIS:  The Geographic Information System (GIS) for Everyone, 3rd edition. Redlands, CA:  Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 1999.

This recommended textbook is the one used during the past fall semester.  For students who have not already taken the GIS course, this book will likely be very useful and worth the extra investment.  It can be purchased from online booksellers such as Amazon.com for about $40.

Required Supplies:
Each student will need to have at least two 3.5" HD, IBM-formatted diskettes.
 

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

The course will meet twice per week in a lecture/discussion/demonstration/lab format. Each class session will be conducted in the computer lab  in NET 307 where the appropriate software is installed on at least the front two rows of computers. HOWEVER, THERE WILL STILL BE THE NEED TO SPEND A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME OUTSIDE OF SCHEDULED CLASS TIMES WORKING IN THE COMPUTER LAB WITH THE GIS SOFTWARE. I ESTIMATE THAT MOST STUDENTS WILL AVERAGE ABOUT THREE ADDITIONAL HOURS OF LAB TIME PER WEEK DURING THE LAST TWO-THIRDS OF THE COURSE. The software is also installed on five computers in NET 212 (center cubicle on north wall). The instructor will present/demonstrate concepts and functions at the beginning of most class sessions, and then students will use the computers and ArcView to master these concepts and functions both during class/lab time and at times outside of class. 

This is the type of course that usually requires a lot of cooperative effort between the students and the instructor and among the students. I strongly encourage you to stop by my office (or phone or e-mail) and discuss any questions or problems that you may have. I strongly encourage you to work with other students, especially on your computer exercises. Everyone must eventually do all the work, but feel free to help each other master the material, the techniques, and the software. The only things that cannot be done cooperatively is the take-home mid-term exam and the in-class final exam.

Course Outline: Computer Cartography

1. Review of map fundamentals (Week 1), Fundamentals of Map Design* (19 pages), ArcView Basics* (7 pages), and Chapter 1

*Fundamentals of Map Design and ArcView Basics are available as documents on the "Student Transfer" i: drive under \ziehr\geog3523\.
 
2. Map coordinates and projections (Weeks 2-3), Chapters 2 & 3

 
3. Introduction to thematic mapping (Weeks 4-5), Chapter 4 & Pages 89-98
   
   
4. Thematic mapping techniques (Weeks 6-7), Chapters 7-9 & 11
   
   Take-home Mid-term Exam

 
5. Designing thematic maps (Weeks 8-15), Chapters 13-15 & 18
   
   Final Exam

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES: (Attendance/Punctuality)

Class attendance and participation are essential to your success in this course. If you miss a class, borrow a classmate's notes and then ask the instructor for clarification if necessary.. CONSIDERABLE time outside of class will be needed to complete the computer-mapping exercises. The NET 307 lab is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week EXCEPT when other classes are scheduled in that room; NET 212 is almost always available. You must be able to find time to complete the ArcView exercises (if you have a home computer, you may obtain a 120-day evaluation copy of the software to use on your computer; borrow the installation CD from the instructor). You will also need to use the WWW for some exercises; you may access the Web in the NET or in any of the general access computer labs on campus or from home if you have a computer, modem, and an ISP account.
 

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES: 

1. E-mail assignment; complete information form (see WWW for details); Wednesday, January 22 by 5 p.m.

 
2. Exercises 1-5 will be announced in class at least two weeks before their due dates.

 
3. Mid-term exam (take-home); distributed March 6; due March 13

 
4. Final exam (in class); Thursday, May 8, 1:00-2:50 p.m.

 

Evaluation Instruments:There will be a take-home mid-term exam, an in-class final exam (not comprehensive), five computer-related homework exercises, and an e-mail assignment. There will also be a few (non-graded) practice exercises to help prepare for the homework assignments and exams. The course does not involve "programming" in the traditional sense. Students will have to determine the series of commands necessary for ArcView to function properly.

Grades: There will be an e-mail assignment (15 points), a take-home, mid-term exam (100 points), a non-comprehensive, in-class final exam (100 points), and five graded computer-mapping exercises (50 points each). The mapping exercises will be assigned at least two weeks in advance of their due dates. The two exams will be "scaled or curved" based on the highest score in the class (but never based on a score lower than 85). For example, if you scored 72 on an exam and the highest score was 90, then 72/90 = 80 would be the number of points you would earn on that exam. There be no curve on the exercises, e-mail assignment, or make-up exams. There are 465 total points. 

Grading Scale: 90-100% = A, 80-89.99% = B, 70-79.99% = C, 60-69.99% = D, 0-59.99% = F. 
 

ADA COMPLIANCE:

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the university Office of Student Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class. Please advise the instructor of such disability and the desired accommodations at the first class attended.
 

INCLEMENT WEATHER / DISASTER POLICY:

The following are basic premises for the inclement weather policy at NSU:

1. Classes are expected to be held if at all possible.
2. It is the student's responsibility to receive the information when weather is questionable.
3. Neither students nor faculty are expected to risk life or limb.
4. Faculty members are obligated to hold classes if the University is not closed, unless the faculty member is unable to get to campus.

The following media will be notified regarding closing of the campus:
 

The automated attendant message on 918-456-5511 will be modified to include information concerning campus operations during inclement weather.