INSTRUCTOR:
 

Dr. Chuck Ziehr	(pronounced "Z-ear"), Professor of Geography
Office:	Seminary Hall 353
Office Hours:	8:00-10:00 a.m. MWF, 8:00-9:00 a.m. 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 TITLE AND NUMBER:	CLASS TIME & DAYS & PLACE:
GEOG 3813 - Geographic Information Systems (GIS)	12:00 -12:50 MWF, NET 307

PREREQUISITES:

Basic familiarity with maps and computer proficiency are recommended.

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

Introduction to GIS as a decision-support system using spatially-referenced data.  Provides experience with GIS software in environmental and social science applications.

COURSE PURPOSE:

The primary goal is to provide an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS--this acronym is always pronounced as three separate letters: G I S, never as the word "gis" ). This includes an introduction to the concepts, hardware, software, and operations of computer-based, decision-support systems involving the integration and analysis of spatially-referenced data (information that includes location) in a problem-solving context. The data, and, therefore, the types of problems that may be addressed, can involve information about the physical environment, the human environment, or both. The course overviews concepts and applications of GIS including data capture, storage, analysis (the major focus of the course), and display. A significant component of the course will be to develop skills with a desktop (microcomputer) GIS, ArcGIS ArcView 9.1, in order to learn fundamental concepts and then to solve spatial analysis problems using these GIS concepts.

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

Each student will be expected to:

1. Use fundamental map concepts such as projections, scale, and coordinate systems to create spatially-referenced databases.


2. Be able to manipulate spatial data within ArcGIS ArcView to produce base and choropleth (thematic) maps.
   
   
3. Acquire skills in utilizing GIS software as analytical tools for problem-solving in a locational context.  Major GIS analytical capabilities include distance and area calculations, spatial overlays, spatial queries, coordinate and projection conversions, and analyzing spatial relationships (such as near, within, adjacent, intersection).
 
4. Develop strategies to use GIS capabilities to help in problem-solving and decision-making for environmental and social science applications.
   
   

Required Textbook
Ormsby, Tim; Napoleon, E.; Burke, R.; Groessl, C; Feaster, L.  Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop:  Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. Second Edition, Updated for ArcGIS 9.  Redlands, CA:  Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI), 2004.

Required Supplies
Each student will need to have at least two 3.5" HD, IBM-formatted diskettes.  You will also find it advantageous to have a writable-CD or two.

Recommended Textbook
There will be a number of assigned readings from the following book.  It will be on reserve in the library, but may also be purchased directly from the publisher ($59.95 plus $8 S&H) if a student wishes to have her/his own personal copy.
David M. Theobald.  GIS Concepts and ArcGIS Methods, 2nd edition for v9.  Ft. Collins, CO: Conservation Planning Technologies, 2005.
[ISBN 0-9679208-3-3]   <http://www.consplan.com>

The pedagogic strategies employed in the course include in-class lecture and discussion; assigned readings in the textbooks and on the WWW;  data gathering and analysis using the WWW; in-class, group problem-solving; and lots on hands-on experience using ArcGIS ArcView 9.1 software. Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for personal assistance as needed. Students are also encouraged to work and study in pairs and groups both inside and outside of class.  Students should obtain their "first exposure" to the conceptual content of the course by reading the textbook and assigned readings before coming to class.  While some content will be introduced and/or reviewed in class lectures, much of the in-class time will be spent "processing" the conceptual information via discussion, analysis, and practical applications.  The course will meet three times per week in a lecture/discussion/demonstration/lab format. Each class session will be conducted in a computer lab (NET 307) where the appropriate software will be installed. 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 hours of outside-of-class lab time per week during the last two-thirds of the course.  The software is installed on 31 computers in NET 307 (the first three rows and the instructor's computer) and on seven machines in NET 212 and NET 213 (exactly which computers will be announced in the online "Announcements").

This course can be categorized as "web-enhanced." A significant amount of supporting material has been developed and placed on the worldwide web (WWW). Several entries can be found under three main headings: Assignments, Communication, and Study Suggestions. Students MUST use this web-based material in completing this course. The WWW address (URL) of the homepage for this course is <http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~ziehr/courses/geog3813/>.

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.

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 homework 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 and 213 are almost always available. You must be able to find time to complete the ArcGIS ArcView exercises. You will also need to use the WWW for some readings and 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 class website for details); Monday, August 29 by 5 p.m.
2. Homework Exercise #1; Friday, September 16.
3. Homework Exercise #2; Monday, October 3.
4. Midterm Exam (take-home); placed online Wednesday, October 12; due by Noon, Wednesday, October 19.
5. Homework Exercise #3; Monday, October 31.
6. Homework Exercise #4; Friday, November 18.
7. Homework Exercise #5; Friday, December 9
   
8. Final Exam; Friday, December 16, 11:00 a.m.-12:50 p.m. -- I know it's the last day of finals; I don't set the exam calendar!
   

STUDENT EVALUATION:

Evaluation Instruments:    There will be a take-home mid-term exam, an in-class final exam (not comprehensive), five
GIS homework exercises, and an e-mail assignment. There will also be a number of (non-graded) tutorial 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 to execute ArcGIS ArcView functionality.

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, homework exercises (50 points each). The homework 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 will 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, please advise the instructor of such disability 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.