REVISED November 29 !!!
Geomatics I
Intro to Vector Analytics - Fall 1999
a.k.a. GIS in the Social Sciences
W. Fredrick Limp
This syllabus, copies of all class notes, on-line class quizzes and other material are all available on-line at
http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/uaclasses/gisss/

 A. Class Schedule

    1. Class meets Tuesday and Thurs. 2:00 to 3:20 PM, Mapping and Geo-Sciences Lab (Ozark 208)
    2. Additional lab sessions will be scheduled.
B. Texts
    1. Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction by Tor Bernhardsen (GIS in readings)
    2. Inside GeoMedia, W.F. Limp and D. Harmon, Onward Press. (IG in readings)
    3. Multipurpose Land Information Systems Guidebook, Federal Geodetic Control Committee (FGCC in readings list). Since this is a U. S. Government publications it can be freely copied. Copies are also available in the lab and on Reserve at Mullins.
    4. Selected portions of TIGER Documentation, US. Census Bureau. This document includes extracts from U.S. Census materials. It will be available on-line in the lab at http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/uaclasses/gisss/tiger97d.pdf
    5. Oracle 8.x and Oracle Spatial documentation, 1998 Oracle Corp. Available at http://kes.cast.uark.edu/oracledocs/
    6. Brief, selected portions of Analysis with Local Census Data by Dowell Myres, An original copy will be available from the Secretary in RM 12.
    7. Various materials from the WWW (URLs are listed in syllabus)
    8. All readings should be completed before the scheduled class meeting.
C. Class Structure 1. The class will be divided into lecture and laboratory components. There will be a project. The first part of the semester will be weighted towards lab exercises and the middle towards readings. This will be followed by a mixture of lecture and lab exercises focusing on the principles discussed in the lab. We will be using the GeoMedia software from Intergraph in the class. We will be using a variety of Census data as well as TIGER GIS data files and the related STF census demographic and economic data sets, additional data sets form the National Association of Counties "NACO Starter Kit" and data developed by the Community Asset and Development Information System (CADIS) project for Washington and Benton Counties.

2. Weighting for the components of the classes are:
    1. Exams, 2 X 20% each, total 40%
    2. Lab Exercises 30%
    3. Project 30%
Grades are not curved but are based on a straight percentage of the total (100-90 = A and so on). Students are strongly encouraged to form study groups and to cooperate on exercises, the project, etc.   D. Laboratory
  1. The laboratory will focus on developing the practical GIS skill necessary for implementation of the principles covered in the lectures and readings. Students will learn the Intergraph GeoMedia software running on Dell 450 MHz NT based workstations. Students will have limited formal laboratory sessions but should expect to spend substantial additional time in the laboratory to complete the practical exercises. There is no Lab TA for this course. Since grading is not curved students are strongly encouraged to form study groups and work together on the laboratory assignments. The Mapping and GeoSciences Laboratory will be open at all times except for special periods to be announced. Note that Ozark Hall is locked each evening at around 10 PM and is locked on week-ends. This is a university policy and not subject to change. Please take this schedule limitation into account in planning your use of the lab.
  2. There are a number of external door keys that can be checked out in RM 12. These keys may be checked out for only a limited time. You may renew the key at the end of each period if no other student has requested it. You must contact the secretary in RM 12 to renew the key at the appropriate time. Failure to return the key will result in you receiving an "I" in the course and you being charged for the cost of re-keying the external doors to the building. Other penalties, including being drawn and quartered, may be assessed.
  3. There are other classes using this lab and the students in that lab will be using the equipment for their work. Outside of class times machines are available on a first come-first served basis. The computer systems in MSGL are to be used only for class approved research and Center related purposes.
  4. RM 209 is also equipped with NT computers and will be available for use when RM 208 is in use. Note that you may sit down at any NT computer and access your files and applications.
  5. All students and faculty using CAST facilities are required to read and sign the "Computer Users" form. 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.
  6. All registered students will be given the combination codes for the Mapping and GeoSciences Laboratory and RM 209 and are welcome to use the laboratories for class purposes at any time. The combination is not to be given to anyone. Use of the lab is only for purposes associated with the class. It is not a general purpose computer laboratory.
  7. Any student may request access to the CAST labs if needed to support their research. There are forms in RM 12 for this purpose.
E. Office Hours
  1. Limp can be contacted at 5-6159 (Ozark Hall Room 12). Office hours are by appointment only. Prof. Limp is frequently called off campus. He is very interested in meeting with students, but you should plan to make an appointment. He will be happy to meet with you if he is available when you just "drop by," but it is very likely that he will have other appointments, or be out of town, etc.
  1. Bad Weather and Other Policies
Unless the University is officially closed, class will be offered. If, for any reason, the instructors are unable to meet the class they will notify the CAST receptionist and (if possible) send e-mail to student accounts. Please check with the CAST receptionist (5-6159) or your e-mail if you have any question. If student religious requirements necessitate absences from class at times other than those normally scheduled by UAF policies they should make these requirements known during the first week of class and new schedule alternatives will be developed. Absences from class during exams or other scheduled work which are not approved in advance will mean that the exam will be assigned a zero grade. Other extraordinary circumstances will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
 

G. Readings Schedule
 
Week  Dates  Topics  Readings  Lab Assignment 
1  August 24

August 26 

 Introduction to Class

Introduction to GIS 

 GIS 1-35

IG 1-46

Guide to GIS terms http://us.ceo.org:8080/ams/tutorials/glossary/gis-info.html 

GIS an introductory guide http://us.ceo.org:8080/ams/tutorials/gis/gis.html 

GIS FAQ http://sus.gov/geo/www/faq-index.htmlwww.cen 

GIS Systems by USGS http://info.er.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html 

What is a GIS by Nicholas Chrisman http://weber.u.washington.edu/~chrisman/G460/Lec02.html

What is a GIS by Ferko Csillag http://eratos.erin.utoronto.ca/fcs/TANI/gis_notes2.html#whatis

Definitions, concepts etc. by Kenneth E. Foote and Margaret Lynch, The Geographer's Craft Project, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/intro/intro_f.html

 None 
2 August 31

Sept 2

 GM Introduction IG 47-76, 111-124 and IG 133 - 217 LAB 1
3 Sept 7 Sept 8 GM Intro (continued) IG 220 - 268 and IG 383 - 462 LAB 2
4 Sept 14 Sept 16 Reality to computer representations GIS 37 - 84

Database structures by Kenneth E. Foote and Donald J. Huebner, The Geographer's Craft Project, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/datacon/datacon_f.html 

Fundamentals of data storage (for GIS) by Carol R. Jacobson, NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/education/curricula/giscc/units/u037/u037_f.html 

 LAB 3
7 Oct 5 
Oct 7		 Advanced Data models GIS 85-99 and 207-222

Information organization and data structure (for GIS) by Albert K. Yeung, NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience. http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu:80/education/curricula/giscc/units/u051/

Non-spatial data models by Thomas H. Meyer, NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience. http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/education/curricula/giscc/units/u045/u045_f.html

 LAB 4
8 Oct 12
Oct 14		 Basic Spatial Analysis GIS 234-272

Map Overlays by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec08.html

Map Overlay Combinations by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec09.html

Map Overlay examples by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec10.html

 LAB 5
9 Oct 19 Oct 21 Advanced Spatial Analysis IG 423 - 462 redux

Polygon overlay operations by the NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu:80/education/curricula/giscc/units/u186/

Buffers by Nicholas Chrisman 
http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec11.html

Decision making using multiple criteria by Peter Keller http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/gis.notes/ncgia/u57.html#UNIT57

Polygon overlay by Ferko Csillag http://eratos.erin.utoronto.ca/fcs/TANI/gis_notes6b.html#vectanal

 LAB 6
10 Oct 26 Oct 28 Data Sources
 

EXAM 1
Oct 26

 Chapter 19 Mapping Methods FGCC

Chapter 12 The base map FGCC

Starting the Hunt by Stephan Pollard http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/hunt/

Sources of Geospatial Data Sets from UT http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/virtdept/resources/data/data.htm

Bruce Gitting's Digital Elevation Data Cataloguehttp://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/ded.html

Mining the Internet for GIS data http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/ustudent/frontiers/fall95/albert/albert.html

Natural State Digital database at UA Montecello (DRGs, DOQQs etc.) http://ponderosa.uamont.edu/nsdd/

Seamless Warehouse of Arkansas GeoData http://www.cast.uark.edu/projects/SWAG/index.html

Harvard's US GIS data sources http://icg.harvard.edu/~maps/hgis/hgis_us.htm

Data sources by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec19.html

Data sources by Kenneth E. Foote and Margaret Lynch of the The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/sources/sources_f.html

Geography and GIS Resources on the web (Mansfield University Library resource) http://www.mnsfld.edu/depts/lib/geo.html

GeoCommunities data sources
http://www.geocomm.com/links/data.html

 NO LAB
11 Nov 2
Nov 4		 Land interests and the Cadaster Chapter 4 Land Interests FGCC

Chapter 5 Property Boundaries FGCC

Chapter 6 PLSS FGCC

LIS and the Cadaster by Steve Ventura, NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience. http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u164/

Chapter 9 Land data FGCC

Chapter 10 Data linkage in the MPLIS FGCC

1973 Manual of Surveying Instrictions as hosted by BLM http://www.ca.blm.gov/webmanual/id1.htm

 LAB 7
12 Nov 9
Nov 11		 Census Geographies Census Documentation http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/uaclasses/gisss/tiger97d.pdf

Selections from Analysis with Local Census Data by Dowell Myres

US Census web resources (including on-line mapping) http://www.census.gov/ftp/pub/geo/www/tiger/

 LAB 8
13 Nov 16 Nov 18 Data Collection GIS 151 - 190

Digitizing by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec18.html

 LAB 9
14 Nov 23  Coordinate systems and general mapping issues GIS 100 - 111

Map Projection Overview by Peter Dana of the The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas at Austin http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/mapproj/mapproj.html 

Geodetic datum overview by Peter Dana of the The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/datum/datum.html

Coordinate System Overview by Peter Dana of the The Geographer's Craft, Department of Geography, University of Texas http://www.utexas.edu/ftp/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/coordsys/coordsys.html

Transformation lecture by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec20.html

And for the adventurous: Geodesy for the layman by National Image and Mapping Agency http://164.214.2.59/GandG/geolay/toc.htm

 LAB 10
15 Nov 30 Data quality and metadata GIS 191 - 206

FGDC metadata pages http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/metadata.html 

NBII Metadata http://www.nbii.gov/standards/metadata.html

CAST's Arkansas GeoLibrary http://www.cast.uark.edu/local/isite/

 NO LAB
15 Dec 2 Implemenation
 

Dec 7 EXAM

 GIS 285 - 338

Chapter 14 Getting started FGCC

Chapter 15 Economies of MPLIS FGCC

Evaluating cost and effort by Nicholas Chrisman
http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec25.html

Requirements analysis by Nicholas Chrisman http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec26.html

Making it work by New York State Archives and Records Administration in cooperation with Hugh Calkins http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u136/

 NO LAB
Final Project Due Final Exam Day Additional Resources