Fall 2009: MW 6:25 – 7:40pm
Location: GL 274
Instructor: Daniel Gann
email: gannd@fiu.edu
phone: (305) 348-1971
Office Hours: after class or by appointment
Course Description
In this course, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of geographic information systems (GIS) and how to utilize different aspects of a GIS. Students will learn the properties of spatial data, the integration of spatial and non-spatial data using GIS software on a desktop PC, and how to research and answer environmental questions using GIS. The course will consist of lectures covering theoretical background and concepts, tutorials to learn the use of GIS software, and assignments involving problem solving and analysis.
Required Books
- Mastering ArcGIS, 4th edition, Maribeth Price, McGraw-Hill Higher Education 2009.
- Making Spatial Decisions Using GIS, Level 4, Kathryn Keranen and Robert Kolvoord, ESRI Press 2008.
Assessment and Grading
| Attendance (28) and Labs (8x4) |
60 points |
| Modules (4 x 20) |
80 points |
| Exam |
30 points |
| Semester Project |
30 points |
| TOTAL |
200 points |
| Letter Grade |
Range |
| A |
186 points and above |
| A- |
180-185 points |
| B+ |
174-179 points |
| B |
160-173 points |
| B- |
154-159 points |
| C+ |
148-153 points |
| C |
140-147 points |
| D |
120-139 points |
| F |
119 points and below |
Course Expectations
- Attendance is mandatory (15 pts). This is a fast paced course. To do well, you will need to attend class regularly. Lab participation will be worth a total of 45 points.
- Exam (30 pts): If you miss the exam, you will receive 0 points. A make-up exam will only be offered under very limited circumstances. These are for bona fide family emergencies, illness, religious observances, jury duty or military service (not family functions, car trouble, vacations, business meetings, work schedule or oversleeping). You must present a valid written and signed statement as to why you missed the exam. It is imperative that each student making such a request reads and understands the FIU Academic Honesty Policies.
- Module assignments (80 pts): There are four module assignments in this course (Making Spatial Decisions Using GIS by Keranen and Kolvoord). Details of the projects will be given in class, and due dates are shown in the syllabus.
- An Incomplete grade will only be given out in accordance with FIU grading guidelines.
- Cheating on exams and plagiarism in written assignments are very serious forms of academic misconduct and will not be tolerated. University policies for academic misconduct are very strict, and the results of cheating and/or plagiarism can be a failing grade or ultimately expulsion from the University.
- It is each student’s responsibility to regularly check on curse web-site for updates and announcements.
Additional Information
If a student has a disability and needs assistance with class, please contact the Disability Resource Center (GC 190; 305-348-3532). It is the responsibility of each student to work with the Center and Instructor to make arrangements for the classroom and exams as needed for their situation.
Each student will be provided with a user account (read policy).
You can use FTP to transfer data to the server from a remote location by following these instructions.
You are responsible for all your data and class work. It is recommended to frequently backup all work on external hard drives.
Schedule
| Week |
Date |
Class Topic |
Reading and Tutorials |
Module Schedule |
| 1 |
24-Aug |
Course Overview |
None |
|
| 26-Aug |
Introduction to GIS |
Price, Introduction |
|
| 2 |
31-Aug |
GIS Data |
Price, Chapter 1 |
|
| 2-Sep |
Lab 1 |
Tutorial 1 |
|
| 3 |
7-Sep |
Labor Day – No Class |
|
|
| 9-Sep |
Mapping GIS Data |
Price, Chapters 2 & 3 |
|
| 4 |
14-Sep |
Lab 2 & 3 |
Tutorials 2 & 3 |
|
| 16-Sep |
Attribute Data |
Price, Chapters 4 & 5 |
K&K Module 2 - P1, due 05-Oct |
| 5 |
21-Sep |
Query |
Tutorial 4 |
| 23-Sep |
Lab 4 & 5 |
Tutorial 5 |
| 6 |
28-Sep |
Spatial Joins |
Price, Chapter 6 |
| 30-Sep |
Lab 6 |
Tutorial 6 |
| 7 |
5-Oct |
Geoprocessing |
Price, Chapter 7 |
K&K Module 4 - P1, due 19-Oct |
| 7-Oct |
Lab 7 |
Tutorial 7 |
| 8 |
12-Oct |
Raster Analysis |
Price, Chapter 8 |
| 14-Oct |
Lab 8 |
Tutorial 8 |
| 9 |
19-Oct |
Lab 9 |
Price, Chapter 9 |
K&K Module 1 - P1, due 2-Nov |
| 21-Oct |
Network Analysis |
Tutorial 9 |
| 10 |
26-Oct |
Lab 10 |
Price, Chapter 10 |
| 28-Oct |
Geocoding |
Tutorial 10 |
K&K Module 3 - P1, due 16-Nov |
| 11 |
2-Nov |
Coordinate Systems |
Price, Chapter 11 |
| 4-Nov |
Lab 11 - exam prep. |
Tutorial 11 |
| 12 |
9-Nov |
Exam |
|
|
| 11-Nov |
Veterans' Day – No Class |
|
|
| 13 |
16-Nov |
Editing Techniques |
Price, Chapters 12 & 13 |
Project : K&K Module P2 / P3 |
| 18-Nov |
Lab 12 & 13 |
Tutorials 12 & 13 |
| 14 |
23-Nov |
Geodatabases |
Price, Chapter 14 |
| 25-Nov |
Lab 14 |
Tutorial 14 |
| 15 |
30-Nov |
Metadata |
Price, Chapter 15 |
| 2-Dec |
Lab 15 |
Tutorial 15 |
| 16 |
7-Dec |
Work on project. Project due by 5pm on Dec. 9th. |
| 9-Dec |
| |
17-Dec |
Grades available in PantherSoft |