GIS 2040 – Introduction to GIS
Session II – 2015-2016
INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Mrs. Susan PopaPhone: (727) 712-5821 (MyCourses communication preferred)
E-mail: (MyCourses preferred)
Office Hours: Contact instructor for office hours
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENT:
Academic Chair: Dr. Amanda GillelandOffice Location: UP 337F-Seminole Campus
Office Number: 727-394-6024
Dean: Dr. John Chapin
Office: UP 337B (Seminole campus)
Phone: 727-394-6995
ECampus Web Page Link: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/
COURSE INFORMATION:
Course Description:This course will introduce the student to the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in spatial data exploration, map layout creation, and data editing and analysis. This is a survey-level course that assumes no prior knowledge of GIS. Topics covered will include the applications of GIS in various fields, the structure of the ArcGIS platform, the use of different tools to explore and modify spatial data, and the analysis of spatial data to answer “real world” questions.
Success in this course relies heavily on the student having access to ArcGIS software to complete assignments. A 6-month trial version of this software is provided with one of the required texts for the class, however it is imperative that the student have a personal computer onto which they can load the software (please reference the Required Texts section for minimum system requirements, noting that at present, the software requires a Windows-based operating system in order to run). Please note that each student is responsible for setting up the software on their own computers and the instructor will not be able to address technical issues with software/hardware incompatibilities. If you have trouble loading the software on your computer please contact the ESRI helpdesk.
Prerequisites: (ENC 0020, REA 0002 and MAT 0024) or (EAP 1695 and MAT 0024).
Course Goals (Major Learning Outcomes):
1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of what a GIS is and what its applications are to common job-related tasks.
2. The student will understand the fundamentals of spatial data.
3. The student will use the GIS to visualize spatial data and explore spatial data attributes.
4. The student will illustrate the fundamentals of map design.
5. The student will perform basic data editing techniques.
6. The student will apply the GIS in answering multidisciplinary questions.
Course Objectives (Stated in Performance Terms):
1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of what a GIS is and what its applications are to common job-related tasks by:
a. describing the history of GIS.
b. identifying different types of GIS and explaining the structure of common GIS platforms.
c. explaining the concept of a “smart map” and the describing the benefits of having access to information stored in multiple map layers in one document.
d. explaining what a shapefile is and describing its file structure.
e. discussing novel applications of GIS in different real-world situations.
2. The student will understand the fundamentals of spatial data by:
a. identifying potential sources of spatial data including, but not limited to, public data repositories, direct transfer of GPS data, and digitized data.
b. explaining the differences between vector and raster data and identifying when one format is preferable to the other.
c. describing the different types of vector data and identifying the circumstances under which each should be used.
d. explaining what a datum is and describing its role in coordinate systems.
e. identifying widely used coordinate systems.
f. describing the similarities and differences between geographic coordinate systems and projected coordinate systems.
g. explaining what a map projection is and identifying the benefits and drawbacks of widely-used map projections.
h. explaining the general structure of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and what key differences exist between different classes of GPS.
i. describing limitations of spatial data in terms of accuracy and availability. Additionally, students will utilize field data collection to make inferences regarding the accuracy of different types of publically-available datasets and/or the data output from recreational grade GPS units.
3. The student will use the GIS to visualize spatial data and explore spatial data attributes by:
a. describing how to add, order, and turn GIS layers on/off.
b. explaining how to use basic data viewing tools to view data and obtain information about individual features.
c. querying attribute tables to extract non-spatial information.
d. creating data charts and graphs of attribute data.
4. The student will illustrate the fundamentals of map design by:
a. listing the components of complete maps and using these components when designing map layouts.
b. describing continuous vs. discrete data and using symbology appropriate to each to effectively represent map data.
c. using different classification techniques to group and symbolize continuous data.
d. selecting appropriate scales when designing map layouts.
e. converting map layouts to other formats for presentation and distribution.
5. The student will perform basic data editing techniques by:
a. describing and using basic editing tools to modify spatial data.
b. adjusting shape and location of points, lines, and polygons.
c. adding and editing fields of attribute tables of existing shapefiles.
d. maintaining topological integrity when creating or modifying vector data.
e. creating spatial data through various methods including, but not limited to, adding and editing a new feature class, bringing coordinate data into the GIS in tabular form, and adding data to an existing feature class.
6. The student will apply the GIS in answering multidisciplinary questions by:
a. using intersection and union techniques to create new feature classes with attributes of both input feature classes.
b. utilizing buffers to identify features within a set distance of other types of features.
c. querying attribute tables and creating new feature classes of the resulting output.
d. querying data using spatial relationships and joining features from different feature classes based on these spatial relationships.
e. summarizing effectively numerical data in attribute tables.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK & OTHER RESOURCE INFORMATION:
Required Texts (2):1) Getting to Know ArcGIS. 3rd Edition (2013). Law and Collins. ESRI Press
ISBN: 978-1-58948-308-8 It is very important that you purchase an unused copy of this book because it comes with a single-use trial version of ArcGIS software that you will install on your computer and use for the assignments this semester. The software is to be downloaded from the www.esri.com/esripress website using the code provided on the inside back cover of the Law and Collins text.
The demo software requires Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, or the Windows 2008 Server operating system. Hardware requirements: 2.2 GHz processing speed; 2 GB RAM; 2.4 GB free hard-disk space, including 50 MB on the operating system drive; an additional 157 MB hard-disk space is required for the exercise data. Once installed and registered, the single-use software cannot be reinstalled and the time limit cannot be extended. Choose the computer you install it on carefully!!
2) Mastering ArcGIS (with DVD). 7th Edition (2016). Maribeth Price. McGraw-Hill
ISBN: 9780078095146 This text may be purchased used, but make sure the accompanying DVD is included.
ATTENDANCE:
The college-wide attendance policy is included in the Syllabus Addendum http://www.spcollege.edu/addendum/. The policy notes that each instructor is to exercise professional judgment and define “active participation” in class (and therefore “attendance”), and publish that definition in each syllabus. For this class, attendance is defined as active participation, which is based on the completion of the required activities (quizzes, exams, participation in discussion forums andhomework assignments). Unexcused excessive lack of participation (three missed homework assignments) before the withdrawal deadline will result in the recording of a non-participating status being entered into PeopleSoft, which automatically assigns a grade of “WF.” If there is unexcused excessive lack of participation after the drop date, you will receive a failing grade “F” at the end of the term. If this is your third attempt (or greater) in this course and you violate the active participation/attendance policy at any time you will be assigned an “F.” The "Withdrawal" deadline for this session is March 23, 2016. You must decide by that date either to drop the course or stay in the course for a letter grade. As stated in SPC’s attendance policy, YOU are responsible for withdrawing yourself from the course if you choose to receive a grade of “W.” If you violate the attendance/active participation policy before the withdrawal deadline and do not want to be assigned a grade of “WF,” be sure to withdraw yourself from the course on or before March 23, 2016.GRADING:
Course Content and Grading Policy:· Quizzes (15 % of Grade)- When assigned, quizzes will appear in that week’s unit under the “Course Content” tab/Table of Contents in MyCourses. Each quiz is timed and students will have 1 attempt.
·Homework (20% of Grade) – When assigned, homework assignments will appear in that week’s unit (under the “Course Content” tab/Table of Contents). Unless stated otherwise, you will have 1 week from the date the homework is assigned to complete the assignment and the assignment will be uploaded to a dropbox.
·Unit Participation (10% of grade) – Throughout the semester, different topics will be posted in a discussion forum within the weekly folder. You must write a statement on that topic, and respond to another student’s comment for full credit. See the "Unit Participation Rubric" located under the “Course Content” tab/Table of Contents for a breakdown of how your postings will be graded.
·Independent Analysis (15% of grade) – Each student will design their own study question and answer it using the GIS techniques taught in class. Each student will prepare a submission sheet that explains the purpose of their analysis, gives pertinent background information, describes the methods used to answer the study question, and discusses the outcomes.
·Exams (40% of grade) – The midterm exam covers the first half of the semester and the final exam is cumulative. This course utilizes an online, proctored exam format for both the midterm and the final exam. Students must make an appointment with the testing center to take both the midterm and the final exams during the designated testing windows. Information regarding the dates and locations the exams will be administered on-campus, and instructions for securing a testing appointment are available on the E-Campus Online Proctored Testing website (http://mycoursessupport.spcollege.edu/proctored-testing-information) Instructions for securing testing if you reside outside of Pinellas County and are unable to come to an SPC campus for the midterm or final are also available at that website. Make-ups for exams are not permitted, so be sure to schedule appointments to take both exams and get those appointments on your calendar now!
·You will receive a grade of zero for any quiz not taken, discussion forum not posted, and assignment not submitted by the due date. Exams must be taken on dates scheduled; failure to do so will also result in a grade of zero. Optional activities (when posted) do not have to be submitted, however, they are meant to help you prepare for quizzes and exams. Students who complete these activities generally tend to score better on the quizzes and exams. The content you will be assessed on includes both the assigned readings as well as the information posted in the form of slides/notes in MyCourses. Your grade will be determined solely by your unit participation, the homework assignments you submit and quizzes and exams that you take. There is no extra credit available in this course beyond which is offered by the instructor. In the event an extra credit opportunity arises the instructor will inform the class via email or the opportunity will be described in the corresponding weekly unit on MyCourses.
· All assignments are due by MIDNIGHT on the due dates listed below.
STUDENTS’ EXPECTATIONS AND INSTRUCTOR’S EXPECTATIONS
To successfully participate in this course, you are expected to:· Review the course syllabus.
· Ensure that you own a personal computer that is compatible with the trial ArcGIS software that comes with the “Getting to Know ArcGIS” textbook (see “Required Texts” section). IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPATIBLE COMPUTER AND YOU DO NOT HAVE ASSURED ACCESS TO A COMPUTER WITH A REGULAR ArcGIS LICENSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE MAJORITY OF THE ASSIGNMENTS AND YOU SHOULD WITHDRAW YOURSELF FROM THE CLASS BEFORE THE DROP/ADD DEADLINE!
· Purchase the required texts by the end of the first week of class and download the trial ArcGIS software on your personal computer.
· Ask questions if you need clarification or assistance, and notify me if you are having any difficulties completing course work. This is an ONLINE course so it is expected that you use MyCourses email to contact me, should any difficulties arise. It is my preference to provide course assistance through MyCourses email because I can provide a much speedier response to your questions than if you wait to meet me in person. If the need to meet in person should arise, office hours are available by appointment only on the Tarpon Springs campus.
· Submit all assignments before the deadline. Late work will only be accepted with documented illness or other family emergency.
· Login to this course at least 2-3 times a week. I communicate with students via MyCourses email email. It is important that you log in several times a week to stay in the loop.
· Complete the "Student Survey of Instruction" which will be available at the end of the semester
· Respect and uphold the standards of honesty in submitting written work to instructors. Though occurring in many forms, plagiarism in essence involves the presentation of another person’s work as if it were the work of the presenter. Any cheating or plagiarism will result in disciplinary action to be determined by the instructor based on the severity and nature of the offense. It is the student’s responsibility to review the online Student Conduct Code, Student and Faculty Expectations, and Academic Honesty Policy, and comply with them. In addition to the college's policy on academic integrity I have a special note. Students are not to submit the same assignments. This is an individual lecture class and you should be sharing ideas, not answers. Any student found in violation of this will be given the grade of zero "0" on their assignment and reported to administration.
As your instructor, I will:
· Log into this course throughout the semester, from the first day of the term through the last day of the term.
· Respond toall MyCourses email within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
· Notify you in advance if I will be out of contact for more than two days.
· Have your assignments and exams graded within 7 days of its due date.
· Provide you with any updates via MyCourses email.
STUDENT SURVEY OF INSTRUCTION: