GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS

GEO 304, Spring 2005

Catalog Course Description

Advanced applications in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with an emphasis on problem-solving, advanced GIS analysis techniques and a survey of raster and vector based GIS software and databases.

Prerequisites

GEO 303 Required; MAT 120 Recommended

Instructor: Dagmar Budikova

Class Time: T 2:00-4:50 in FHS 202/214

Office Hours: MW 1:00-2:50 pm or by appointment

Office: Femley Hall Annex 439

Phone: 438-7643

e-mail: dbudiko@ilstu.edu

Course website: http://www.geo.ilstu.edu/geography/Courses/304_GIS/Spring_05.shtml

This class continues building on concepts introduced in GEO 303 (Introductory GIS) through advanced topics in theory and applications relevant to GIS and its applications. Issues concerning data structures, advanced concepts of spatial analysis, GIS and cartographic modeling, fuzzy logic, error and its propagation, and other topics will be addressed.

The practical component of the course will include a project that each student will undertake. This process will provide a valuable experience in GIS modeling design and implementation. First, each student will select a topic of spatial interest, where the use of GIS technology is critical in solving research question (s) posed. In executing their projects, students will become exposed to 1) the process of identification and collection of necessary datasets useful for GIS analyses; 2) the necessary steps within and outside of the GIS environment needed to execute the project; and 3) proper presentation of research results in a) a written format through a formal scientific report, and b) through an oral presentation to their classmates through the use of one of Power Point, web design or poster. (When communicating results through the use of maps, students will apply sound cartographic skills during the map design process.) This component of the course is so important, that it is necessary to pass it, in order to obtain credit for the entire course.

ESRI’s ArcGIS 8.2, and its extensions (Spatial Analyst, 3-D Analyst and Geostatistical Analyst) will be the principal software package that students will be expected to use to complete their assignments and the class project.

Required texts and other material:

1. DeMers, M. N. 2000. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 489 pp.

2. Purchase module Learning ArcGIS 8 Spatial Analyst from ESRI Virtual Training Website – consult instructor for details. (Expected price - $50)

Recommended text:

1. Burrough, P. A., and McDonnell, R. A. 1998. Principles of Geographical Information Systems. Spatial Information Systems and Geostatistics. Oxford Press. 333 pp.

Other suggested readings:

A list of references has been provided at the end of this handout. It includes the required and recommended texts, but it also lists a series of other sources that can help provide additional insight into both the topics that will be covered during lectures, as well as help formulate ideas for individual projects.

The grading scale for exams and assignments is:

A = ³ 90% B = ³ 80% C = ³ 70%; D = ³ 60%; F = <60% unless otherwise specified

Grading specifics:

The total grade of 100% will be portioned in the following manner:

• Class Project 40%
• Project proposal 20%
• Project report 50%
• Project presentation 20% (10% from instructor; 10% from peers)
• Progress 10%
• 2 Assigned exercises 10%
• Lab Exam*: 20%
• 1 Test 15%
• March 8^th, 2005
• Final Exam - cumulative 15%

*Lab Exam refers to a practical examination based on 6 modules completed through ESRI Virtual Campus course Learning ArcGIS 8 Spatial Analyst.

Exams will be based on the theoretical aspects of GIS presented during lectures. The mid-term test will be in-class and the final exam will be scheduled by the registrar’s office.

Late penalties: 20% per day unless a valid reason is provided.

Class Project:

You will be required to design, execute and present in writing and orally an applied GIS project of your own choosing. For detailed instructions, consult “Project Procedures” and “Report Expectations” posted on the course website. In working towards that goal, you will need to demonstrate effort, interest and steady progress. I will monitor this throughout the semester at times specially allotted to the project (typically Fridays), and it will be counted toward the ‘progress’ portion of your report grade. Other formal grades are allotted for the project proposal, oral presentation and the written report. The written report is a standard formal scientific manuscript, its specific components listed in “report expectations”. As you are writing your report, if you are not sure about how you should proceed, consult sources available in the library on writing formal scientific reports, and/or seek help from the instructor. The instructor as well as other classmates will grade the oral presentation, which as stated earlier can be executed with the help of a power point presentation, web page, or a poster.

There will be 1 test during the semester that will assess your knowledge of the theoretical concepts introduced during lectures and through assigned readings. It will not be used to evaluate your knowledge of the software. The test will consist of a combination of true/false, multiple choice, short-answer, essay and problem-solving questions.

COURSE OUTLINE

Date	Topic	Readings	Deadlines
Jan 18^th	GIS applications – examples and project expectations, introduction to cartographic modeling, flowcharting; GIS output	D-13; D-14
Jan 25^th	Cartographic modeling continued	D-5, D-6, D-15, B-4	Purchase Spatial Analyst from ESRI
Feb 1^st	Descriptive and prescriptive modeling; inductive and deductive modeling	D-5, D-6, B-4, D-13, D-15	SA – Module 1
Feb 8^th	Spatial data modeling; database modeling; data types; data sources; formats; GIS modeling; binary models; index models; regression modeling; process modeling; concepts of forecasting	D-13	Proposal
Feb 15^th	Sources of error and data quality control issues in GIS; Attribute data problems; locational data problems; Vector-raster conversion considerations	B-9	Binary and Index raster model exercise
Feb 22^nd	Error propagation; Monte Carlo simulation; Analytical approaches to error propagation	B-10	SA – Module 3
Mar 1^st	Modeling transition areas: Fuzzy sets and boundaries; Boolean sets	B-11	Binary and Index vector model exercise
Mar 8^th	TEST #1
Mar 15^th	Spring Break
Mar 22^nd	Continuous versus discrete surfaces; concepts of spatial interpolation	D-10, D-11, B-5	SA – Module 4
Mar 29^th	DEMs, TINs, Point-pattern analysis; nearest neighbor analysis; autocorrelation	B-12; D-10, D-11, B-5	SA – Module 2
Apr 5^th	No lectures	B-12; D-10, D-11, B-5
Apr 12^th	Methods of spatial interpolation – Trend surface analysis, inverse distance, kriging, spline	B-12; D-10, D-11, B-5	SA – Module 5
Apr 19^th	Spatial interpolation continued	B-12; D-10, D-11, B-5	SA – Module 6
Apr 26^th	Multidimensional GIS; temporal GIS; static mapping, dynamic mapping; space-time composite mapping	D-14, Monmonier (1996) MacEachren (1992) Raper (2000) Turner (1997) Tomlin (1990)	SA - Exam
May 3^nd	Project presentations		Project Report