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GEOG341 Introduction to Geographic Information System

Course Information and Syllabus — Spring 2006

Course description: This course will provide a general introduction of geographic information systems (GIS) that helps study the spatial phenomena in computer systems. The goal of this course is to help students understand basic concepts, theories and techniques of Geographic Information Science, and hands-on GIS operations with state-of-the-art software and hardware. After successfully completing this course, students are expected to be familiar with basic GIS principles and techniques, fluent in using a cutting-edge GIS software (ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Version 9), capable of organizing geographic data and conducting GIS analysis for basic real world applications.

Course format: Each class (75 minutes) is divided in two sections. The first section includes lecture (35-40 minutes) to introduce the basics of GIS principles, data sources, and applications. The lecture notes are posted online. The second section is a hands-on lab (35-40 minutes) to learn the operations of GIS software (ARC GIS 9.0). 

Required Textbook for labs: Ormsby, T. et al., 2004, Environmental Systems Research Institute, 2001. Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop (Second Edition). ESRI: Redlands, CA. This textbook includes a CD-ROM with Arc GIS 9.0 for Windows. You can install this trial software in your own laptop or desktop for six months.

Recommended Textbook for lectures: Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J., and Rhind, D.W. 2005. Geographic Information Systems and Science, 2nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons.

Exams: There will be 2 exams-midterm covers about first half of the lecture/labs and final covers the second half. There will be no comprehensive final exam.  Exam format includes multiple-choice and short answer questions. Approximately 70% of the questions will be derived from my lectures, and 30% of the questions from the lab textbook. The Instructor reserves the right to change the dates of the exams, the content of the exams, the syllabus, etc., should it become necessary.  Student results (with a code or nick name) will be posted on WebCT a few days after the exam. 

Labs: Lab assignments will use ESRI ArcGIS 9 software. Each lab (maps) is due at the beginning of the lab session one week after the assignment is given. Late labs will be graded 0 after the due date. However, students are allowed to drop 1 lab with the lowest grade. Students are encouraged to learn from each other, although each student must turn in the assignments completed by his/her own hands. I will be very happy to help you during lab sections, in office hours, or other time by appointment.  

Grading:  (Grading Scale: A 90-100, B 80s, C 70s, D 60s, E < 60)

Your final grade will be based upon the following:

Exam 1                         30%                             February

Exam 2                         30%                             May

Labs                             30%                             16 labs (drop lowest one), 2 points each

Class Participation       10%                             Recorded randomly 10 times, 1 point each

(If a student misses 6 or more out of 10 times the instructor recorded, s/he will get an E directly on the final grade).

Your attitude and in-class activity will also be factored in your final grade. As a courtesy to your fellow students, at least the following behaviors are deemed inappropriate during lecture time:

• Printing
• Using computers for not class-related activities (e.g. browse Internet, read/send emails, do homework for other classes, and etc).
• Frequently entering or leaving classroom, coming later, leaving early…
• Using cell phones

Tentative Schedule (subject to change depending on class progress)

Academic Integrity: Students should follow the ESU policy on academic integrity. Please refer to current undergraduate catalog on relevant descriptions.