GIS For Humanity

UNION COLLEGE

Geology Department

New Course, Winter 2008

GIS FOR HUMANITY

GEO 204

Professor	Dr. Ashraf Ghaly, P.E.
Department	Engineering
Office	Butterfield 305
Tel., email	518-388-6515, ghalya@union.edu

Lectures: TTH 9:00 AM- 10:45 PM, Lab TH 1:55 - 4:45, Location OLIN-307 (Click here for instructor's class presentations)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and its practical uses. A full range of fundamental topics will be covered including the history of GIS, technology overview, geographic data types, primary data structures, system design, map coordinate systems, data sources, metadata, census data, geographic coding and address matching, digitizing, remote sensing imagery, measures of data quality, and needs assessment. An emphasis will be on hands-on instruction using GIS software (ArcGIS). Students will work with ArcGIS throughout the term to complete assignments and a class project. Focus areas include archaeology, electric and gas utilities, surveying, health and human services, insurance, law enforcement and criminal justice, media and telecommunications, transportation, water and wastewater, and natural resources. The ultimate goal is to use the spatial component of data in conducting analysis and making decisions. Two class hours and two lab hours weekly. Prerequisites: A good background in the use of modern computer software.

COURSE GRADE

Assignments & Quizes = 25%

Labs = 20%

Mid Term Test (6th week) = 20%

Project GIST = 15%

Final Examination = 20%

SCHEME OF FINAL GRADE
90+ = A	85+ = A(-)	80+ = B(+)	75+ = B	70+ = B(-)	65+ = C(+)	60+ = C	55+ = C(-)	50+ = D

NOTES:

* Assigned homework is due as will be arranged. Late submission results in partial grade loss. Each day of late submission results in 2 points loss (of ten).

* Attendance of labs is mandatory.

* Attendance of exams is mandatory. If you must miss the midterm test due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control (a letter from the Dean of Students will be required in this case), your 20 points of the midterm test will automatically be transferred to the final exam, i.e., your final will be graded out of 40 points. No makeup for midterm test will be allowed for any reason whatsoever. Attendance of final exam is mandatory.

TEXT BOOKS

Chang, Kang-tsung (2008). Introduction to Information Systems, McGraw Hill Higher Education, New York.

Ormsby, T., Napoleon, E., Burke, R., Groessl, C., and Feaster, L. (2004). Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop, ESRI Press, Redlands CA. (This book comes with 180 day license of the latest edition of ArcGIS program).

ANTICIPATED OUTCOME

Gain an understanding of GIS principles.

Gain an introductory knowledge of popular GIS software tools.

Understand how to obtain spatial data from various sources.

Gain an introductory knowledge of GIS data analysis and modeling.

Use GIS tools in developing solutions to real world problems.

Practice spatial communication skills and use these skills in practical applications.

COURSE MATERIALS

Introduction

1.1 What Is a GIS?

1.2 A Brief History of GIS

1.3 Geographically Referenced Data

1.4 GIS Operations

1.5 Organization of This Book

1.6 Concepts and Practice

Coordinate Systems

2.1 Geographic Coordinate System

2.2 Map Projections

2.3 Commonly Used Map Projections

2.4 Projected Coordinate Systems

2.5 Working with Coordinate Systems in GIS

Georelational Vector Data

3.1 Georelational data model

3.2 Representation of Simple Features

3.3 Topology

3.4 Nontopological Vector Data

3.5 Data Models for Composite Features

Object-Based Vector Data Model

4.1 Object-based Data Model

4.2 The Geodatabase Data Model

4.3 Interface

4.4 Topology Rules

4.5 Advantages of the Geodatabase Data Model

Raster Data Model

5.1 Elements of the Raster Data Model

5.2 Types of Raster Data

5.3 Raster Data Structure

5.4 Image Compression

5.5 Data Conversion

5.6 Integration of Raster and Vector Data

Data Input

6.1 Existing GIS Data

6.2 Metadata

6.3 Conversion of Existing Data

6.4 Creating New Data

Geometric Transformations

7.1 Geometric Transformation

7.2 Root Mean Square (RMS) Error

7.3 Interpretation of RMS Errors on Digitized Maps

7.4 Resampling of Pixel Values

Spatial Data Editing

8.1 Location Errors

8.2 Spatial Data Accuracy Standards

8.3 Topological Errors

8.4 Topological Editing

8.5 Nontopological Editing

8.6 Other Editing Operations

Attribute Data Input and Management

9.1 Attribute Data in GIS

9.2 The Relational Model

9.3 Attribute Data Entry

9.4 Manipulation of Fields and Attribute Data

Data Display and Cartography

10.1 Cartographic Symbolization

10.2 Types of Maps

10.3 Typography

10.4 Map Design

10.5 Map Production

Data Exploration

11.1 Data Exploration

11.2 Attribute Data Query

11.3 Spatial Data Query

11.4 Raster Data Query

11.5 Geographic Visualization

Vector Data Analysis

12.1 Buffering

12.2 Overlay

12.3 Distance Measurement

12.4 Pattern Analysis

12.5 Map Manipulation

Raster Data Analysis

13.1 Data Analysis Environment

13.2 Local Operations

13.3 Neighborhood Operations

13.4 Zonal Operations

13.5 Distance Measure Operations

13.6 Other Raster Data Operations

13.7 Comparison of Vector- and Raster-based Data Analysis

Terrain Mapping and Analysis

14.1 Data for Terrain Mapping and Analysis

14.2 Terrain Mapping

14.3 Slope and Aspect

14.4 Surface Curvature

14.5 Raster versus TIN

Viewsheds and Watersheds

15.1 Viewshed Analysis

15.2 Parameters of Viewshed Analysis

15.3 Applications of Viewshed Analysis

15.4 Watershed Analysis

15.5 Factors Influencing Watershed Analysis

15.6 Applications of Watershed Analysis

Spatial Interpolation

16.1 Elements of Spatial Interpolation

16.2 Global Methods

16.3 Local Methods

16.4 Kriging

16.5 Comparison of Spatial Interpolation Methods

Geocoding and Dynamic Segmentation

17.1 Geocoding

17.2 Applications of Geocoding

17.3 Dynamic Segmentation

17.4 Applications of Dynamic Segmentation

Path Analysis and Network Applications

18.1 Path Analysis

18.2 Applications of Path Analysis

18.3 Network

18.4 Putting Together a Network

18.5 Network Applications

GIS Models and Modeling

19.1 Basic Elements of GIS Modeling

19.2 Binary Models

19.3 Index Models

19.4 Regression Models

19.5 Process Models

ASSIGNMENTS

Assignment (1): Introduction & Coordinate Systems

Assignment (2): Georelational & Object-Based Vector Data Models

Assignment (3): Raster Data Model & Data Input

Assignment (4): Geometric Transformation & Spatial Data Editing

Assignment (5): Attribute Data Input and Management & Data Display and Cartography

Assignment (6): Data Exploration & Vector Data Analysis

Assignment (7): Raster Data Analysis & Terrain Mapping and Analysis

Assignment (8): Viewsheds and Watersheds & Spatial Interpolation

Assignment (9): Geocoding and Dynamic Segmentation, Path Analysis and Network Applications & GIS Models and Modeling

PROJECT GIS TREAT (GIST)

Project GIST is an exciting GIS-based project that gives the students the opportunity to put into practice the knowledge gained in this course. The project entails critical thinking of a problem with spatial nature in order to identify a solution that is based on a rationale involving convincing reasoning. Students are to work in teams of two partners. Team partners will receive the same grade in the project. It is left to the students to team up with partners with common areas of interest and who share ultimate terminal goals.

Project Subject:

Each team of two partners is given absolute freedom in selecting the project subject they like to investigate and the problem they like to address. Students in this course come from various departments. Teams may wish to address in their project a problem that is closely related to their major since GIS is a tool which can be applicable to all sorts of problems. Students may also wish to explore a new field of interest or use a theme of a subject that has intrigued them. Students must realize, however, that finding the data required to work on their selected projects could be a problem. The data students are looking for may or may not exist, or it may be available in a format that makes the accomplishment of the task too difficult or non-feasible. Data availability could be a real hindrance and the scope of the selected project should be achievable with data that is possible to obtain. Students may also wish to make their own data using the techniques learned in class (creating a database, scanning, digitizing, or reduction/expansion of existing data).

Progress Report:

In the sixth week of the term, each team is required to submit a progress report. This should include the names of the partners, title of the project, a statement describing the subject, methodology to be used in the analysis, flow chart showing the steps to be used in implementing the solution, and anticipated final outcome. The instructor will provide feedback and approve the project subject if it involves the expected level of rigor.

Submittals:

In the ninth week of the term, each team is expected to submit the following:

1. A report disseminating all the information related to the project including the problem it attempted to address, data used, data source(s), analytical approach, results of analysis, and conclusions.

2. The report should contain any and all relevant information including illustrations, tables, graphs, charts, maps, and models used in the analysis.

Grading Criteria:

The grading criteria will place equal weight on the following components:

1. Level of sophistication in addressing the project subject.

2. Methodology used in the analysis.

3. Accuracy and validity of analytical approach.

4. Critical thinking used in identifying a solution and reaching conclusions.

5. Project presentation as described below.

Submittals:

In the tenth week of the term, each team will be required to make a class presentation of their project. Teams are expected to show fully functional projects including ArcGIS demonstration. Each presentation will be followed by questions and answers period.

Recognition and Opportunities:

1. The instructor will sponsor the top three projects for presentation at Union Collegeýs Steinmetz Symposium and other local, regional, or national venues.

2. The instructor will sponsor the top-rated project for presentation at local, regional, or national conferences.

3. The instructor will nominate the top-rated project for the Robert Churchill Memorial Prize for Student Scholarship in GIS. This is a national award recognizing outstanding student GIS project and includes $500 cash prize.

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