INTRODUCTION TO GIS/SURE 325
Winter, 2000/01 (3 Credit Hours)
On-Line Syllabus
| Instructor: | Robert Burtch |
| Office (room number/building): | Johnson Hall 412 |
| Office Phone: | 591-2634 |
| Office Hours: | M 3:00-3:50, W 9:00-9:50,W 2:00-2:50, F 10:00-10:50 |
| E-Mail: | robert_c_burtch@ferris.edu
(Work) rburtch@netonecom.net (Home) |
PREREQUISITE COURSES/SPECIAL SKILLS: Basic computer skills.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will explore the fundamental principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The student will learn GIS terminology, capabilities, and applications. Data collection methodologies, data base concepts and system configuration, including hardware and software, will be presented. Benefits and cost will be evaluated. Students will work with both raster and vector GIS software packages.
COURSE OBJECTIVE/FOCUS:
The objective of this course is to give the student an introduction to the principles of GIS and to understand how this technology will shape society in the future.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS:
| 1. Textbook(s): | AN INTRODUCTION TO URBAN
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYTEMS, by W. Huxhold, Oxford
University Press ARCVIEW GIS EXERCISE BOOK, by P. Hohl and B. Mayo, Onword Press |
| 2. Other Materials: | Computer disk |
COURSE SCHEDULE:
| Week 1 Jan 8 - Jan 12 |
Introduction: Understand course objectives, grading policy, etc.; Identify key terms and GIS capabilities; Identify roles of relevant technologies; Be familiar with the evolution of GIS technology | |
| Week 2 Jan 15 - Jan 19 (No class 1/15) |
Information in an Organization: value, system design, urban information pyramid (Lecture PowerPoint material, Problems in Land Records, Judge Fenton's Issues for Constructive Action) | Chapter 1 |
| Week 3 Jan 22 - Jan 26 |
Geographic Information Systems: automated mapping technology, data base management systems, land records systems (GIS Defined PowerPoint material, GIS Hardware paper) | Chapter 2 |
| Week 4 Jan 29 - Feb 2 |
Geographic Information Systems | Chapter 2 |
| Week 5 Feb 5 - Feb 9 |
Mid-Term Exam 1, Feb 5 Applications of GIS: map updating, zoning, building inspection, etc. |
Chapter 3 |
| Week 6 Feb 12 - Feb 16 |
Applications of GIS | Chapter 3 |
| Week 7 Feb 19 - Feb 23 |
Applications of GIS | Chapter 3 |
| Week 8 Feb 26 - Mar 2 |
Topological Data Structures: linking non-graphic data, adding topology | Chapter 4 |
| Mar 5 - Mar 9 | Spring Break | |
| Week 9 Mar 12 - Mar 16 |
Mid-Term Exam 2, Mar 12 Geographic Base Files: geocoding, elements of geographic base files, TIGER files, etc. (PowerPoint documents: Parcel Identifiers, Geocoding, TIGER, Access to Spatial Data, SDTS Guide for Technical Managers, SDTS Senior Management Overview) |
Chapter 5 |
| Week 10 Mar 19 - Mar 23 |
Geographic Base Files | Chapter 5 |
| Week 11 Mar 26 - Mar 30 |
Land Records Information: cadastral maps, survey, coordinate systems, multipurpose cadastre (pdf document: Land Information Systems) | Chapter 6 |
| Week 12 Apr 2 - Apr 6 |
Land Records Information | Chapter 6 |
| Week 13 Apr 9 - Apr 13 No Classes Apr 12-13 |
Mid-Term Exam 3 - Apr 9 Model Urban GIS Project: evaluation of GIS needs, cost/benefits study, managing GIS projects. |
Chapter 7 |
| Week 14 Apr 16 - 20 |
Model Urban GIS Project | Chapter 7 |
| Week 15 Apr 23 - Apr 27 |
Model Urban GIS Project | Chapter 7 |
| Week 16 | Final Exam |
LAB WORK:
All work will be due on the date specified. Late assignments will be assessed a penalty of 5% per day or fraction thereof. All work must be completed to receive a passing grade for this course. Each assignment will be submitted in a report folder that can be reused throughout the semester. A cover sheet will be included with each assignment that identifies the assignment.
Lab reports will consist of a least 3 main parts:
- Purpose of the lab written in your own words.
- Procedure. In this section succinctly identify the procedures employed in the lab and your results.
- Conclusion. This section will consist of a discussion of the lab in general and upon your results in particular. Such items of importance might be the validity of the lab, limitations of the results, possible sources of errors that might affect the results, items you might have done differently, special problems encountered, etc.
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
60% from exams
20% from term paper and presentation
20% from lab assignments and readings
100% TOTAL
GRADING POLICIES:
90 - 100% - A Range
80 - 89% - B Range
70 - 79% - C Range
60 - 69% - D Range
0 - 59% - F Range
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Criteria for term papers are given at the following Term Paper Criteria web page. Each student will visit the Writing Center before the final draft of the paper is finished. The final term paper must be submitted on Monday, April 16, 2000. Each student will give a 5 minute presentation over the term paper topic in the lab period during the last week of classes.
Office hours have been listed above. Other hours can be arranged if necessary. If you have problems, please see me as soon as possible. Waiting until the end of the semester may be too late.
Back to SURE 325 web page.