University of Nevada
Department of Geography 
Spring 2009
Instructors: Gary Johnson
 
Geography 409/609
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
Design Studio

Course Description
The fields of mapping, geographic information systems, and spatial analysis are increasingly being synthesized into an area of study termed Geographic Information Science (GIScience).  This course is intended to further develop each student’s conceptual understanding and practical application of tools within this field.  This intent defines two specific course goals.

The first goal is to increase each student’s level of sophistication regarding spatial concepts and the abstraction and manipulation of geographic space as represented by a computer.  The purpose of this is to gain a better understanding of the limitations of digital spatial data, to have an explicit awareness of data strengths and weaknesses, and to be able to characterize the inherent error in a spatial analysis.

The second goal is to expand each student’s GIScience toolbox. We will learn a spectrum of new commands and applications in ArcInfo (Workstation), ArcGIS 9.x ArcMap, Arc Catalog, ArcView 3.3, Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, ArcServer, and ArcSDE. 

A key goal is for the student to learn to evaluate the methods and processes used in GIS so that they can select the appropriate method for each particular task.

Finally, we will become a consulting group, taking on real world GIS questions or issues from clients that come to the class seeking help in solving their GIS issue, and post the results or data on the Internet for the clients.

At the conclusion of this class, each student should have a depth of knowledge that provides a solid basis for application of GIS to research problems, or for work in one of the many fields using GIS technology.

Schedule
Lectures: F 1:00-3:30 p.m.  222 Mackay Science Hall.
Laboratory: 222 Mackay Science Hall.  Three hours per week minimum.  Arranged your schedule early.

Office Hours
F 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. by appointment ONLY, 222 (GIS Lab) building (Phone: 682-8756, email: glj@unr.edu).  I cannot maintain an open door policy this semester as in the past. I must hold to scheduling meetings with you after class.  You are welcome to come in any time if you need help outside of office hours, recognizing that I work for the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, 6:00 a.m.- 4:30p.m.M-R. It is required to call and set an appointment.

  Textbook      "A to Z GIS"  by E.S.R.I., others will be talked about.

Course Grade (409)

Assignments           (2 @ 7.5% each   – 35 points each)     22.5%            70
Labs                       (10 @ 2.5% each  – 10 points each)    25.0%          100
Tests                      (2 @ 11.3% each – 45 points each)     22.5%            90         
Final project                                                                    30.0%           120
  Total points                                                                    100%           370      

Course Grade (609)

Assignments           (2 @ 7.5% each   – 50 points each)     22.5%            100
Labs                       (10 @ 2.5% each  – 20 points each)    25.0%            200
Tests                      (2 @ 11.3% each – 60 points each)     22.5%            120         
Final project                                                                     30.0%            200
  Total points                                                                    100%             620      

  We are in the internet world and everyone is required to have an e-mail account. If you do not have one contact Computer Help Desk to acquire one.

Graduate students: We will work in groups for our final projects.  Graduate students will be expected to take a leading role in organizing and leading group projects.  Graduate students will be expected to document the process of completing the final project.  A portion of your final grade will reflect how well you organized and led the project

  The university provides the possibility to add a plus or minus to the letter grade, i.e. A, A-, B+, B etc. with grade point values of 4.0, 3.7, 3.3, 3.0, and so on.  In this course, a grading scale with pluses and minuses will be used.  You must have 90% of the points to receive an A-, 80% for a B-, 65% for a C- and 50% for a D. 

  Laboratories:  Students should expect to spend a minimum of  3 hour  in the laboratory each week for work on weekly labs and class assignments.  HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WILL REQUIRE TIME BEYOND YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED LAB HOURS.  PLAN THIS INTO YOUR SCHEDULE.  IF YOU CANNOT COMMIT AT LEAST ANOTHER FIVE TO TEN HOURS PER WEEK (more or less depending on your skills), YOU SHOULD CONSIDER DROPPING THIS CLASS.  THIS IS A TIME CONSUMING CLASS, PARTICULARLY WHEN ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE.  CONSIDER YOUR TIME CONSTRAINTS CAREFULLY BEFORE CONTINUING IN THIS CLASS. 

  E.S.R.I. Virtual CAMPUS:  You may want to take one of these virtual campus courses through the semester. These will be self-paced courses.  The virtual campus courses include:

1. Learning ArcGIS 9.3
2. Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
3. Learning ArcGIS 3D Analyst
4. Protecting Your Investment in Data with Metadata
5. Introduction to Visual Basic for E.S.R.I. Software
6. Understanding Map Projections and Coordinate Systems
7. Working with Forms in VBA
8. Working with variables and functions with VBA
9. Your choice on others

  Assignments:  The two assignments will all be given in the early part of the semester.  The first will be a short but comprehensive review of skills we expect all students to have as a prerequisite for this class.  The second will be on georeferencing maps. 5 points will be reduced for late assignments each day they are late.

  Labs – Labs will be short weekly assignments that will require the student to demonstrate competence with specific GIS tools and applications.  These will be graded pass/fail.  Ten (10) points will be given for a correctly completed lab.  Zero (0) points for an incomplete, incorrect, or missing lab.  They will be designed to be completed within the 3-hour lab time.  There are 7 labs, to be assigned the first 10 weeks in the semester. 2 points will be reduced for late lab assignments each day they are late.

Final Project – This semester we are attempting to find real data community based projects for the final projects.  We have contacted a number of community groups to try and solicit suitable projects.  By the third week of the semester, we will have potential agencies present their GIS project for students to choose.  Once you have chosen a project, you will work closely with a contact from the agency to design and implement a GIS solution.  We will work in groups of 3-4 students depending on the # of possible projects and the class enrollment.

  Tests:  Tests will consist of short answer questions related to lab exercises, lecture material, and readings and will take the full class period.  The focus of the tests will be on comprehension of concepts, rather than use of the technology – however there will always be a few ‘practical’ questions.

Lab policies:

Behavior during the lectures and labs: Your responsibility in the Lecture time is to be aware of the lectures and take notes that will aid you during the labs and ask questions during the presentations. Your responsibilities in the Labs consist of being present for each lab and following instructions given during the labs. Personal checking e-mails, surfing the internet or text messaging is NOT APPROPRIATE and WILL NOT BE TOLERATED during lab or lecture time. Inappropriate use of the GIS lab computers will be grounds for removal from this class for the remainder of the semester AND A FAILING GRADE will be given.

The Geography Department computing labs adhere to UNR computing policies and standards.  Academic dishonesty and the disruption or destruction of computer facilities is covered in Sections I, II and III of the Student Judicial Code.  Standards for Using the Computing and Network Resources at  UNR are available at http://www.it.unr.edu/guidelines/networkuse.asp .  Violations of these policies may result in the revoking of computer and network access privileges and/or academic sanctions.

Reporting technical problems:
     Problems with student accounts or technical difficulties associated with laboratory hardware or software should be reported at the following email address: help@mines.unr.edu.  When using ‘help@mines’, please submit the following:
-   The computer name and location.
-       Description of the problem.
-          The course enrolled in.