Garrett College
Natural Resources and Wildlife Technology Program
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
CS 180
San
Francisco Bay Area Landsat Image
Professor: Peter Skylstad
Office: NRWT Office (Glendening Advanced Technology
Center)
Office
Phone:
301-387-3332
Office
hours: anytime by appointment
Home
Phone:
301-387-9260 (no calls after 10:00 p.m.)
e-mail: pskylstad@garrettcollege.edu
Course
Description
This course is an
introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) and current technologies,
methodologies, and protocols for the creation, storage, retrieval, manipulation
and analysis of spatial information linked to databases. Students will learn in a hands-on state of
the art laboratory environment. In
addition, students are expected to develop an understanding of basic GIS
terminology and concepts and to demonstrate proficiency using PC-based GIS
software. The application of GIS
technology to natural resources management and precision agriculture will be
emphasized, although other applications will be considered.
Text
Getting
to Know ArcView GIS.
Published by Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)
The text is available in the campus bookstore and
will be supplemented by materials provided by the instructor throughout the
semester.
Course
Goals
1. The
first fundamental goal of this course is to introduce the student to the basic
concepts involved in the operation and application of GIS technology, including
elements of cartography and geodesy.
2. The
second fundamental goal of this course is to provide the student with the
opportunity to become familiar with and gain experience using a professional
grade GIS software package. We will use
ArcView (version 3.2). ArcView is the
most widely used GIS in the world and is used in a number of fields.
Specific
Objectives
After completing this course, the student will be
able to:
* describe
the function and components of a GIS
* understand
basic geographic principles as they apply to the operation and application of a
GIS, such as scale, projections, and map-based grid systems
* understand
basic concepts of geodesy as they apply to the operation and application of a
GIS
* describe
the difference between vector and raster data models
* explain
how to implement a GIS
* describe
situations where a GIS can be applied to manage information
* identify
sources of data for use in a GIS
* demonstrate
proficiency using ArcView GIS software
Course
Content
1. Introduction: What is a GIS?
2. Introduction to ArcView
3. Basic Geography and Geodesy
4. Hardware and software components of a GIS
5. Spatial databases as models of reality
6. Raster and vector data models
7. Sampling and measuring
8. Maps and map analysis
9. Sources of data (especially environmental
data)
10. Implementation of a GIS
11. Various applications for GIS
12. GIS computer lab (throughout the semester)
Attendance
Most of the work in this class will be
hands-on. Therefore, class and lab
attendance is required. Missed lab work
will generally be difficult to make up due to limited access to the GIS
software and hardware. Missed exams may
only be made up at the discretion of the instructor. The student can significantly increase the probability of doing
well in this class by simply attending class.
There will be no makeup quizzes or exams for unexcused
absences. Excused absences are as
follows: 1) serious illness verified by
a valid physician's excuse on office or hospital letterhead, 2) a death in the
immediate family. The instructor
reserves the right to determine whether a missed quiz or exam can be taken at a
later date. Any assignment due date or
quiz/exam missed because of an excused absence must be made up by the first
class period following the return of the student.
Evaluation
Exam I (Thursday, February, 27 -- 20% of grade)
Exam II (Thursday, April, 3 -- 20% of grade)
Pop Quizzes (2) (TBA
-- 10% of grade)
Project 1 (TBA -- 10% of grade)
Project 2 (TBA -- 10% of grade)
Final Project (Thursday, May, 8 or before -- 30% of grade)
Supplemental
Readings and Exercises:
Chapters 7 through 25 in "Getting to Know
ArcView GIS" * Do all the
exercises ASAP!
Chapters 1 through 6 in "Getting to Know
ArcView GIS" * Read ASAP!
Unit One in "GIS Supplemental Readings - What
is GIS?" * Read before Exam I
Unit Two in "GIS Supplemental Readings -
GeoData: Common Measures" * Before
Exam II
*
Note: All assignments must
be completed to pass this course. There
is a 10 point per day penalty for late work.
Grade Standard Equivalents
|
A (93
- 100% 4.0) A- (90
- 92% 3.7) B+ (87
- 89% 3.3) B (83
- 86% 3.0) B- (80
- 82% 2.7) C+ (77
- 79% 2.3) |
C (73
- 76% 2.0) C- (70
- 72% 1.7) D+ (67
- 69% 1.3) D (63
- 66% 1.0) D- (60
- 62% 0.7) F (0
- 59% 0.0) |
Classroom
Etiquette
The goal of any college classroom activity is to
provide the greatest educational benefit to all students. In order to achieve this goal, it is
necessary to maintain a pleasant, stimulating, and respectful atmosphere in the
classroom. Respect must be shown to
others. The instructor has the
authority to dismiss a student from class for behavior deemed inappropriate,
especially if said behavior is disruptive to the teaching and learning process.
Academic
Dishonesty Policy
All students at GCC are expected to adhere to a
code of academic honesty and integrity.
Violations of the "Code of Academic Honesty" include all
forms of cheating, e.g., giving and/or receiving answers improperly, plagiarism,
misuse of college documents and/or instruments, etc. Students found to be in violation of the "Code of Academic
Honesty" will receive an F for the course in which the violation occurred. The student will also be withdrawn from all
other courses. Withdrawal will be
followed by academic suspension for a minimum of one semester. Additional penalties may be incurred as each
violation, on an individual basis, is investigated and reviewed.