GEOS/ANTH 3543: Introduction to Geographic Information Science
Fall 2008
General
Information
Instructor Jackson Cothren
OZ8, JBHT320
(479) 575-6790
TA Carrie
Davis
JBHT
Graduate Assistant Bullpen
Classroom JBHT231 (access to
building and room via UA Student ID)
Textbook Kennedy
(2006), Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS, Wiley
Harvey
(2008), A Primer of GIS, Fundamental Geographic and
Cartographic Concepts, The Guilford Press
Readings Multipurpose Land
Information Systems Guidebook, Federal Geodetic Control Committee (FGCC)
TIGER
Documentation, US Census Bureau (online)
ArcGIS/ERDAS
Image Analyst Documentation (available from the application)
ArcGIS/ERDAS
Stereo Analyst Documentation (available from the application)
|
Lecture
and Lab (JBHT 231) |
Tuesday Thursday |
8:00 – 9:20 am |
|
Office
Hours (Instructor) |
Monday (JBHT320) |
2:00 – 3:30 pm |
|
Wednesday (JBHT320) |
||
|
Office
Hours (TA) |
Wednesday (Ozark GA) |
TBD |
|
Friday (Ozark GA) |
TBD |
Course Summary and Objectives In GEOG/ANTH 3543
“Introduction to Geographic Information Science” you will be introduced to a
range of new and exciting analysis tools that can be applied to many
disciplines and types of problems! According to the US Department of Labor the
field of geospatial technologies will be one of the most rapidly growing areas
in the next decade – along with nanotechnologies and biotechnologies
"The biotechnology,
geospatial technology, health care, financial services, and the skilled trades
are just a few of the areas that have been as high growth, emerging areas.
Leaders in these industries are telling us the same thing: they can’t find
enough workers with the right skills for these high-skilled, good-paying
jobs"… Workforce Innovations 2005, July 11, 2005
An article in the August 12th
2007 NY Times (link)
also provides some examples.
While many such courses focus on
geographic information systems (GIS), this “Introduction to GIScience”
course introduces students to a much broader range of new tools for geographic
(spatial) problem solving. Another title for the course might be “Introduction
to Geomatics.” Geomatics is a term that encompasses a very broad range of
methods used to measure and analyze spatial phenomena. The emphasis of
geomatics and of this course is on the techniques and methods used to perform
the measurement and analyses. These include: GIS remote sensing, GPS, photogrammetry,
surveying and many new 3D tools. For more on geomatics and the course structure
being developed here at the University of Arkansas see www.cast.uark.edu/geomatics.
It is my view (and that of a number of faculty here) that the traditional
approach to instructing GIS isolates the student and does not provide the type
of preparation that is necessary today.
The content of the course is
designed to serve as the initial course for a range of advanced courses as well
as providing a basic skill set for non-majors who wish to acquire basic
proficiency in GIS to use in their other majors. Course sequences for students
with a range of interests are provided at the
www.cast.uark.edu/geomatics . Roughly 60% of the course will deal with what
is traditionally seen as GIS, with the rest distributed over photogrammetry,
surveying and the cadastre, GPS and remote sensing. Obviously these will not be
intensive overages but are designed to give the student a good overview of the
methods and serve as a basics foundation for later courses or work, if desired.
Inclement
Weather Policy Class will meet unless the University is closed. If for some reason I am unable to lecture, I
will notify everyone by email the evening before class meets with instructions
on make-up activities. Much of our work
will require us to be outside regardless of weather conditions – come to class
prepared to be outside.
Details
Exams There will be three sectional exams (100
points each) for a total of 300 point and a cumulative 100 point final for an
exam total of 400 Each of the nine lab exercise set will be 15 points – one can
be dropped – total of 120 points. Grand total is 520 points. Since grading is
not curved students are strongly encouraged to form study groups and work
together on the laboratory assignments. The JBHT 231 lab will be open at all
times except for other classes and for special periods to be announced. Note
that the J.B. Hunt Center is locked each evening and is locked on week-ends.
However, students enrolled in the class will be able to use their UA student ID
cards to access the building and computer lab after-hours.
Letter grades will be assigned based on the percentage of points earned
as follows:
90% <= Total => A
80% <= Total < 90% => B
70% <= Total < 80% =>
C
60% <= Total < 70% =>
D
Total < 60% => F
Lab
Exercises A substantial number of the class exercises will involve the completion
of the Fast Fact form provided by Kennedy in the text. “Blank” copies of each
of the fast fact forms are available on the class website http://cast.uark.edu/local/GEOS3543/Kennedy
, organized by Chapters. You should
complete these manually (pen or pencil) and turn them in on the due date as
indicated in Course Calendar below. I encourage you to collaborate on these
problem sets as they are intended to reinforce concepts discussed in
class. However, YOUR WORK MUST BE YOUR
OWN. Collaboration does not imply
copying work from others: departmental and college rules on cheating apply. In addition to graded lab exercises, we will
often conduct ungraded labs during class to emphasize concepts. Information about working with the computers
in JBHT can be found here. All students and faculty using any UA
computer facilities are required to read and agree to the "Computer
Users" form. Copies will be provided in class. Note that there is very
specific guidance as to approved and not approved use. Violations of these
rules will be cause for disciplinary and, potentially, legal action. In
particular, no system is to be used for any activities that violate any law
including loading of unauthorized or pirated software and/or distribution of
illegal materials.
COURSE
Calendar
|
WK |
DATE |
TOPIC |
READINGS and LECTURE
NOTES |
LABS and DOWNLOADS |
|
1 |
Aug 26, 2008 |
GIS fundamental concepts LECTURE (Notes) |
Kennedy, pp. 1-30 Harvey, pp. 1-26 |
|
|
Aug 28, 2008 |
ArcGIS Basics LAB |
Kennedy, pp. 31-91 |
|
|
|
2 |
Sep 02, 2008 |
Characteristics and examples of spatial data LECTURE (Notes) |
Kennedy, pp. 83-108 Harvey, pp. 34-51 |
|
|
Sep 04, 2008 |
Accessing data in ArcGIS LAB |
Kennedy, pp. 109-159 |
|
|
|
3 |
Sep 09, 2008 |
Products of GIS: Maps and other information LECTURE (Notes) |
Kennedy, pp163-168 Harvey, pp. 53-74 |
|
|
Sep 11, 2008 |
Products of GIS: Maps and other information (cont) LAB |
Kennedy, pp. 173-208 |
Chapter 1 Fast Fact Exercise Due |
|
|
4 |
Sep 16, 2008 |
Structures for storing geographic data LECTURE (Notes) |
Kennedy, pp. 209-250 Harvey, pp. 127-138 |
Midterm
I Study Guide available |
|
Sep 18, 2008 |
Structures for store geographic data (cont) LAB |
Kennedy, pp. 251-284 |
Chapter 2 Fast Fact Exercise Due |
|
|
5 |
Sep 23, 2008 |
Midterm 1, JBHT 231 |
|
|
|
Sep 25, 2008 |
Projections, Coordinates and GPS, Part I LECTURE |
Harvey, pp. 102-126 FGDC Chapters 2 & 3 |
|
|
|
6 |
Sep 30, 2008 |
Projections, Coordinates and GPS, Part II LECTURE |
Harvey, pp. 75-101 Mapping
with GeoExplorer 3 Virtual Course (optional) |
Chapter 3 Fast Fact Exercise Due |
|
Oct 02, 2008 |
Geographic Data: Selection by, Input and Editing of Attributes LECTURE |
Kennedy, pp. 285-296 |
|
|
|
7 |
Oct 07, 2008 |
Spatial Analysis and Synthesis LECTURE |
Kennedy, pp. 349-364 Harvey, pp. 253-267 |
|
|
Oct 09, 2008 |
Spatial Analysis and Synthesis LAB |
Kennedy, pp. 365-401 |
Chapter 4 Fast Fact Exercise Due |
|
|
8 |
Oct 14, 2008 |
|