Introductory GIS 303 (Fall, 2009)

Objectives

• An introduction to the functionality and capability of geographic information systems, 
• An understanding of the concepts and issues underlying geographic information science including the functional components of GIS, spatial data models and structures, management of geographic information and the implementation of GIS, and
• Use of GIS software for solving spatial problems.

Syllabus

Applications, scope, and benefits of GIS. Classification and components of GIS. Data acquisition. Data management. Data Errors. Implementation considerations.

Professor:

Dr. Robert Hickey
316 Dean Hall
Phone: 963-2178
Fax: 963-1047
e-mail: rhickey@cwu.edu
Home Page: http://www.onlinegeographer.com

Lecture/Lab Program

• Lecture: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 8:00 - 8:50. Dean 103
• Lab: Tuesday, 8:00 - 10:00, 1:00-3:00, or 3:00-5:00, Dean GIS lab.

Text

1. Getting to know ArcGIS Desktop. LATEST EDITION! ESRI press. Required - bring to lab every day.
2. GIS 303/403 Readings Manual.  handed out during first week.. Required.
3. Lecture information (very rough lecture notes, reading lists, syllabus, etc..) will be on the web (accessible through my home page, URL above).
4. Textbooks - optional, but will help you study:
• Bolstad, 2005, GIS Fundamentals (latest edition).
• Beekman, George, 2005, Computer Confluence. Prentice Hall. (latest edition) This is an introduction to computer science text. It's excellent. If you're not already highly compter literate, I'd suggest grabbing a copy - I consider about 95% of the info in the book to be important for anyone working in an IT field (which includes GIS).

Requirements

The following requirements are compulsory.  Failure to comply with these instructions will result in the student failing the class.

Assignments, practicals, and reading writeups must be submitted by the DUE DATE to qualify for full marks unless PRIOR arrangements have been made with the professor.  Late assignments will be penalised by reducing the marks achieved by 25 percent (or .5 point, whichever is larger) for each day or part of day that the work is late. 

To pass the class, students must:

• Obtain at least a 70% on the Computer Science for GIS exam. To be held during the start of the first lab period. A grade of less than 70% will result in the student being withdrawn from the class;
• Complete all practical work assigned;
• Submit all assignments;
• Submit all reading writeups;
• Sit the midterm and final exams;
• Achieve an overall grade of at least 60%.

Assessment

Note: While students are not marked on attendance, students are responsible for ALL material covered in lecture (or tutorials), unless otherwise stated. Also, The final exam is comprehensive. Percentage/point values are approximate and may change by a few points over the quarter.

Makeup exams will ONLY be given during the hour immediately following the final exam.

Disclaimer - the grading and point assignments shown above may change slightly during the quarter at the professor's discretion. Further disclaimer - Swine Flu. If you have a fever, DO NOT come to school.... suck it up, eat chicken noodle soup, and get well as fast as possible. We'll work things out.

Misc. Rules:

The following requirements are compulsory. Failure to comply with these instructions will result in the student failing the class.

READ THIS CAREFULLY -- IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!

Copying another student's work with or without his/her knowledge, or giving/receiving aid during any test or examination is cheating.

Copying an author's work without proper citation is plagiarism. Ensure that you provide proper citation in ALL WRITTEN WORK submitted in this unit.

The submission for assessment of identical or nearly identical work by two or more students is collusion.

Students who engage in copying, plagiarism, or collusion will receive a grade of "F" for the work submitted.

At the instructor's discretion: points will be deducted for classroom interruptions. This includes (but is not limited to) cell phones - a maximum of 1 point will be deducted for every time the phone rings (not per call). Answering the phone is included as a separate distraction. For example, Johnny's phone rings three times before he answers it (not turns it off) - he could lose 4 points (same as 4% of his final grade).

Lecture and Tutorial Schedule and Outline:

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Dr. Robert Hickey