GEOL 416/516--Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Spr= ing 2009
|
Instructor: |
<=
/span>
|
|
Dr. Maribeth Price |
MI-305 |
|
Office Hours <= /p> |
Tues, Wed, Thurs 11-12, or by appointment<= /span> |
| <=
/span>
|
394-1290 (office) |
| <=
/span>
|
394-2461 (Dept. office) |
| <=
/span>
|
email:&= nbsp; Maribeth.Price@sdsmt.edu |
| <=
/span>
|
web page: http:gis.sdsmt.edu |
| <=
/span>
|
<=
/span>
|
|
Course Schedule: |
Lectures: Tu/Th 12:00-12:50pm = EP 251B |
| <=
/span>
|
Labs:&nb= sp; Tuesday 1:00-3:50pm &nbs= p; MI-325 |
| <=
/span>
|
&n= bsp; = ; Wed 1:00-3:50pm &nbs= p; MI-325 |
| <=
/span>
|
<=
/span>
|
Catalog description
(2-1) 3 credits. Introduction to principles and application of geographic information systems, with emphasis= on GIS analysis techniques. Laboratory work will involve introduction to PC-based GIS software and data sets. Students are expected to have basic co= mputer system, word processing, and spreadsheet skills prior to taking this class. Students enrolling in GEOL 516 will be held to a higher standard than those enrolling in GEOL 416.
Course Outcomes
1. Students learn = to solve basic spatial analysis problems using the techniques and tools availa= ble in geographic information systems.
2. Students will b= e able to view and query database information and perform tabular calculations.
3. Students will b= e able to create aesthetically pleasing and technically appropriate maps.
4. Students will understand the formats of spatial data and be able to manage and manipulate spatial data sets.
5. Students will b= e able to use the Internet to locate and obtain a variety of geographic data.
The course assumes that the student is proficient in using a Win= dows computer, and can perform basic tasks such as logging in, copying and delet= ing files, creating folders, etc. Reasonable expertise in using word processing, spreadsheet, web browsers, and presentation software is also expected. Previous experience with reading a= nd understanding maps is helpful.
Program Outcomes
This course meets the following outcomes of the Geology Program<= /span>
3a<= span class=3DGramE>. Demonstrates<= /span> competence in basic computer tools including word processors, spreadsheets,= and Internet utilization.
3b.= Can create and analyze map data on computers using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or Computer Aided Design (CAD) program= s.
5a<= span class=3DGramE>. Can co= mmunicate effectively in written form through words, graphs, and tables.
Thi= s course also supports ABET outcomes (a) (c) (g) (k)
Textbooks
See<=
span
style=3D'font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'> <=
span
style=3D'mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK1'>http://www.sdsmtbookstore.com
Mastering ArcGIS<= /span>, Maribeth H. Price, McGraw-Hill, fo= urth edition, 2009. (required). Previous editions are out of date = and not suitable for use in the class. If purchasing a used copy, make sure it includes the CD. If ordering outside the bookstore,= make sure you get the fourth edition.
Using D2L
In this course we will use D2L, an online course content module,= to facilitate much of the daily course activity. We will learn how to do the following:
Ø Download course material and information
Ø View and submit your assignments and reading quizzes electronically
Ø Receive your graded assignments and comments electronically
Ø Correspond with the instructor and other students by email
Ø Keep track of your grades and progress in the class
By registering for the course, you should automatically be place= d in the D2L roster.
You can access D2L from the main campus page under Quick Links &= gt; Desire2Learn. If you have not= used D2L before then click the link “I’m new to D2L” to find o= ut how to get in. You can also go directly to the D2L page using http://d2l.sdbor.edu
Grading:
Your final grade is calculated based on the percentage= of possible points in the course, with the usual scale of 100-90 is an A, 90-8= 0 is a B, etc. Individual assignme= nts or exams may have the total possible points adjusted at the instructor’s discretion.
|
Assignment |
Points |
Number |
Total pts |
Percent |
|
20 |
14 |
280 |
24% |
|
|
30 |
14 |
420 |
37% |
|
|
10 |
25 |
250 |
22% |
|
|
100 |
1 |
100 |
9% |
|
|
100 |
1 |
100 |
9% |
|
|
|
1150 |
100% |
Ø You will be assigned hard disk space in the = GIS lab for your data sets, on a special drive that is available to GIS students from any computer on campus. A limit of 500MB per person is imposed. This space is for GIS data and course work ONLY. Your data will be deleted at the e= nd of the semester, so you must archive it on CD or elsewhere if you want to keep it. The folder is located on I:\users and is titled with your first initial and last name (e.g. mprice).=
The weekly class schedule and assignment dates are pos= ted in D2L.
Chapter Reading Quizzes due every Sunday evening on the week’s material.
Weekly Lab Quiz on preceeding week’s chapter at the beginning of each lab.
Attendance at all lectures is expected and is importan= t to your success in the class Wor= k or class conflicts are not generally acceptable as excuses—you must take responsibility for working out your schedule so that you can attend the cla= ss meetings and get the full value of what the class offers.
Quiz of the Da=
y (QOD)
Most class periods will begin with a five minute quiz = that tests your understanding of the GIS concepts. Topics can be on anything previous= ly studied in class, but will generally focus on material from the past week.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Question format may be short answe= r, multiple choice, sketch, etc, and the question will be on the board or scre= en when class starts. Each quiz = is worth 10 points and also serves to record your attendance. You receive 5 points for being the= re, plus a total of 5 additional points based on your answers. There will also be an extra credit question on the current week’s topic (Monday) or next week’s to= pic (Wednesday) to serve as encouragement to read ahead of the class.
The goal of the quizzes is to encourage your attendanc= e and your continuous review of the material.&nb= sp; Please bring paper and pen to each class and have them ready for the quiz when class starts. If you are late, the door will be closed and you must wait outside until the q= uiz is finished. You’ll sti= ll get 5 points for attendance, but will not get any question points.
Reading Quizze=
s
The Reading Quizzes help you digest and recall the most
important concepts from the chapter readings. Each quiz must be completed by Sun=
day
evening at 10pm MT, however, you are strongly encouraged to complete it bef=
ore
your lab session, which will help you complete the lab assignment more
efficiently and within the allotted lab time. This quiz is offered in D2L and ma=
y be
taken anytime during the week. You
may take it up to three times, and the final score is the last attempt
made. You may use your book d=
uring
the quiz, but the quizzes are timed so don’t plan to look up every
answer. You will find it help=
ful to
review the questions at the end of each chapter before taking the quiz. NO MAKE-UP QUIZZES ARE ALLOWED.
The lab is a critical part of the class, and your cons= istent attendance and participation are crucial to your success. Make-up labs will not be scheduled--you are responsible for completing the assignments on your own time. Your lab tutorials and exercises are found in your course textbook, Mastering= ArcGIS. We will do one chapter each week. For each weekly lab you will complete the tutorial in the chapter and do the suggested exercises at the end of the chapter. Suggested minimum exercises = are given in the lab assignments in D2L; others may be completed if you have time. These exercises are an important way to prepare for the weekly lab quizzes, so don’t skimp on them. Do them and check your answers to best prepare for the quizzes.&n= bsp; Many labs will also include a brief demonstration of a particular wa= y to locate and download some GIS data from the Internet. After the demo, you will use it yo= urself to download a data set for your project.
Weekly Lab Quizzes
Most lab periods will begin with a brief at-the-comput= er quiz on the material of the preceding week. The quiz is OVER 30 minutes after = the start of lab. If you are late= , you miss the quiz, or a portion thereof. No makeup quizzes will be g= iven. You are given one free missed quiz, after that they will start to affect your quiz percentage. If you must be absent for a lab qu= iz, we may be able to accommodate you in a different lab section that same week; however you must clear this beforehand with Dr. Price and/or t= he TA to ensure that there is space.
The Quiz of the Day will cover the topics I usually wo= rk into exams. As an experiment = this semester, we will have daily quizzes instead of formal exams. A final exam will be given at the e= nd of the semester and will contain questions similar to those on the daily quizz= es.
Following SDSMT policy, you must take the final exam w=
hen it
is scheduled. The only except=
ions
include major illness (doctor’s note required), death in the immediate
family, or three exams scheduled on the same day. Please notify the instructor as so=
on as
possible of one of these factors occurs.
Projects
During the semester, each student will assemble a smal= l GIS database on a location of your choice.&nbs= p; Each week you will learn to add data sets to the database, and you m= ay optionally add additional ones if you wish. At the end of the semester you will prepare a very brief report on your database. More information on the projects w= ill be given as the semester proceeds.
You are taking this course for graduate credit, and a = higher level of achievement is expected. Your grading scale for the final grade will go A =3D 93-100, B =3D 85 – 92, C =3D 78-85, etc. Your database project should include several data sets beyond the minimum, and y= ou are strongly encouraged to choose a project that is related to your thesis = research or area of interest.
Honor Policy<= o:p>
You are encouraged to consult each other on the lab exercises, especially if you encounter a problem. However, you should ensure that YOU personally can do each and every problem, and the work you turn in must be = your own. In the case that a stude= nt turns in work that is demonstrably in violation of the policy, the student(= s) involved will receive a zero for the assignment, and an academic dishonesty report will be filed with the Dean of Students. Multiple or extensive violations w= ill result in greater penalties, up to receiving an immediate F for the class.<= /p>
Policy on Late Work
ALL late work must be submi= tted by the last day of classes to receive credit.
Policy on Makeups and Incompletes
I follow the general policy= of the working world, which assumes that you are a responsible adult and can sched= ule your own time and activities in order to meet your responsibilities. Thus I do not take attendance or otherwise check up on you. Conversely, it is your responsibility to ensure so far as you can th= at your life’s vicissitudes do not require additional time or effort from others.
I thus expect you to take responsibility for your own performance, and accept the consequences that y= ou may incur as a result of your decisions and actions. This means that if you are traveli= ng, then turn in your assignments early. If you have a late assignment, through illness or any other reason, = then turn it in as soon as you can and accept the applied penalty. If you miss a quiz due to illness = or the opening day of hunting season, take the zero cheerfully. Please do not ask me to make exceptions, extensions, or make-ups.
I do understand that occasi= onally illness or emergencies can interfere with your plans, and a little room is = built into my grading system such that an occasional missed quiz or late assignment is not going to wreck your grade. So just take it in stride and make= sure that the rest of your work is good. That is your best insurance against minor setbacks.
On the other hand, if you have an extended illness or other situati=
on
that seriously interferes with your ability to carry out your school work f=
or a
week or more, please let me know at the earliest opportunity, so I can help=
you
plan a strategy to resolve it.
As a general rule, I do NOT= grant Incompletes. I will consider = it in cases of extended illness or other extenuating circumstances, depending on = how much of the course has been completed, and how responsible you have been in general about meeting class deadlines.&nbs= p; Please note that lack of time management on your part does not constitute an extenuating circumstance.
Electronic Device Policy
Please turn off your cell phone before class starts. N= o text messaging in class. No headphones. If you wish to use a laptop in this class for purposes of note taking ONLY, that’s fine. No web surfing, emailing, or game-playing in class is permitted, and violators will be excused immediate= ly from class for the day. Repeat offenders may be dropped from the course. I’d rather you didn= 217;t come to class at all than come and distract your classmates. No other use of any ot= her electronic/computer media is allowed during class time.
Freedom in Learning Statement
Freedom in learning. = Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which th= ey are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and University policy, student academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students sho= uld be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any cour= se of study. Students who believe that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opi= nion or conduct should contact the dean of the college which offers the class to initiate a review of the evaluation.
Students with special needs or requiring special
accommodations should contact the instructor, Dr. Maribeth Price, 394-1290,
and/or the campus