Central Washington University, Department of Geography

Advanced GIS

Credits: 4

GEOG 417

Objectives

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
e-mail: rhickey@cwu.edu
Home Page: http://www.onlinegeographer.com

Lecture/Lab Program

        Time: Tuesday/thursday from 9:00 - 11:00. Lectures in 206, labs in the GIS lab.

Office Hours: M/T 11:00-12:00 or by appointment

Text

    1. Advanced GIS Readings
    2. Lecture information (very rough lecture notes, reading lists, syllabus, etc..) will be on the web (accessible through my home page, URL above).
    3. Textbook - optional, but may help you study - Any intro to GIS text - my favorite is Paul Bolstad's GIS Fundamentals (Eider Press).
    4. We may also run a lab or two from Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop (used in earlier GIS classes).

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 .25 point, whichever is larger) for each day or part of day that the work is late. 

All students are expected to know the CS for GIS material at http://www.onlinegeographer.com/cs_for_gis/cs_for_gis.html

To pass the class, students must:

Assessment

type Percent Description
Summaries of Articles (1% each) 9% Each week, and outline/summary of that week's required readings will be due.  They must be typed. 
Big Project 25%  
Resume 5%  
StoryMap portfolio 15%  
Labs 24%  

Final Exam

22% Thursday, 9 June 10-12AM. This will be VERY comprehensive, covering everything you ever did in a GIS class at CWU.
Total 100%  

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. Any student caught cheating will receive a final grade of "F" regardless of grades earned on other assessed work.

Copying an author's work without proper citation is plagiarism. Ensure that you provide proper citation in ALL WRITTEN WORK submitted in this class. Plagarism (including copying another student's work) will result in a final grade of "F" regardless of grades earned on other assessed work.

Attendance: I will be taking attendance, and it will be worth 5% of your grade. In particular, there will be a number of guest speakers this quarter, and I expect everyone to attend.

Make-up exams: Students are required to take all examinations at the assigned times. Make-ups are given only in cases of documented illness or personal emergency. Contact your instructor either before or within 24 hours after the exam/quiz. Failure to promptly and adequately explain your absence will result in a "0" on a missed exam. Exams may not be taken early under any circumstances. ALL makeups will be given immediately following the final exam - no other times will be acceptable. In other words, IF the student sees the professor asap AND get permission to take a makeup, they may take the makeup after the final exam. The only exception will be university-required absences (ie travel to a game if on the team, conference presentations).

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).

Course alterations: The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule, readings, exams, and assignments as deemed necessary to improve the quality of your education in this course.

A............................................ 93% - 100%
A-........................................... 90% - 93%
B+.......................................... 87% - 90%
B............................................ 83% - 87%
B-........................................... 80% - 83%
C+.......................................... 77% - 80%
C............................................ 73% - 77%
C-........................................... 70% - 73%
D+.......................................... 67% - 70%
D............................................ 63% - 67%
D-........................................... 60% - 63%

F          < 60%

 

Student conduct rules and regs. Please review:

“CWU expects every member of the university community to contribute to an inclusive and respectful culture for all in its classrooms, work environments, and at campus events.”

Central Washington University is committed to creating a learning environment that meets the needs of its diverse student body. If you anticipate or experience any obstacles to learning, contact Disability Services to discuss a range of available options. Student Disability Services is located in Hogue 126. Call (509) 963-2214 or email ds@cwu.edu for more information.
In compliance with RCW 28B.137.010, Central Washington University makes every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Students must present written notice to their instructor within the first two weeks of class listing the specific dates on which accommodations are required. Contact the Dean of Student Success at (509) 963-1515 for further information or questions.

 

GIS lab code of conduct

The GIS lab in Dean 206 is a community space where everyone should feel comfortable working at all times. It is your space – treat it well, and it will take care of you.

Since many people share the lab, you are expected to maintain a professional demeanor and act and speak in a way that does not create a distracting or hostile environment for your fellow students.  This includes:

Seriously, we have worked hard to make this a great space for students to work.  Good computers, all the other equipment you might need, comfy chairs, 24-hour access, a lab TA to help out, and coffee.  As long as no one causes problems, it will remain a most excellent place.

 

References and letters of recommendation

Occasionally students ask if I will provide recommendations for jobs, graduate school, or other opportunities. I often agree to do this; however, I typically only provide recommendations for students who earned at least a B grade in their most recent class with me (or have at least a B average in the classes they’ve taken with me). I won’t provide recommendations for students who were consistently late/absent from class or who regularly handed in late work. 
If I agree to provide a reference or recommendation, you must complete a FERPA privacy release so that I can discuss your enrollment and performance in class. This form is downloadable from my website, right under current classes.