Geography 4103/5103 Spring 2009
Introduction to Geographic Information Science
Lectures: TR 8-9:15am, Guggenheim 205
Labs: W 9-11:50am & F 8-10:50am, Guggenheim 6 (KESDA)
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Instructor: Frank Witmer Guggenheim 201h frank.witmer@colorado.edu OH: TR 9:15-10:15pm (or by appt.) |
Teaching Assistant: Andy Bock Guggenheim 301b Andrew.Bock@colorado.edu OH: R 2-4pm, F 2-3:30pm in KESDA (or by appt.) |
Web Page: http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_4103_s09
Overview: This course introduces the theory and practical use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course emphasizes geographic information and how it is represented and analyzed with computers. The lecture portion of the course focuses on the theoretical underpinnings of GIS while the lab portion provides the opportunity for students to apply the lecture concepts and techniques. By the end of the course, students are expected to understand elementary GIS theory, have a working knowledge of ArcGIS, and be able to develop GIS-based solutions to geographic modeling and analysis tasks.
Prerequisites: Students enrolled in this course must have completed a basic course in mapping skills (e.g. GEOG 3053 or GEOG 2053) and must be familiar with basic file management using Windows.
Lectures: The lecture portion of the class will present geographic concepts as well as specific instructions for lab assignments. Lectures are intended to be an interactive experience, so please do not hesitate to ask a question or make a comment. The more you engage the material, the better you will learn it. Readings must be completed prior to the lecture on the day they are assigned. Please respect your fellow students and me by turning off your cell phones during lecture and lab.
Required Text: Bolstad, P. (2008). GIS Fundamentals. 3rd Edition. White Bear Lake, Minn., Eider Press.
This text will be supplemented with additional required readings available on the course website.
Optional Text: Wade, T. and Sommer, S. (2006). A to Z GIS: An Illustrated Dictionary of Geographic Information Systems. Redlands, CA, ESRI Press.
Labs: The lab portion of the course will use the commercial GIS software package ArcGIS from the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI). Lab assignments (hardcopy and data files) are due at the beginning of the lab session when the new lab is started. Late lab assignments up to 1 week late will be downgraded 20%, 100% thereafter. Students must complete all lab assignments by Fri, May 1st to receive a passing grade, even if they are submitted too late to receive any points.
Grading:
Lecture attendance (30 points; 3 free misses, then 1 point off each missed lecture)
4 reading/discussion reports (40 points; no late submissions)
2 non-cumulative exams (50 points)
10 lab assignments (120 points; attendance required for all labs)
Graduate student term paper and presentation (100 points)
Grad students do not have to take exam 2.
Attendance at the graduate student presentations will count towards 10% of Exam 2.
Total undergrad points = 240; total grad points = 315
Late discussion assignments will not be accepted. No email submissions will be accepted unless specifically requested. Make-up exams will be given only for documented medical emergencies. No incompletes will be given for the course.
Honor Code and Plagiarism:
The College of Arts and Sciences has an Honor Code that prohibits plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, aiding academic dishonesty, lying, bribery, and threats at the University of Colorado. A key element of this code is that CU students will not plagiarize which means you may not use someone else’s words, pictures, ideas, or procedures as your own. In some instances, it is appropriate to do so when you provide proper acknowledgement. Cases of plagiarism and violations of the CU Honor Code will not be tolerated. More information can be found online at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/, particularly under the “Student Information, What is a Violation?” section.
Disability Accommodations:
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. Contact: 303-492-8671, Willard 322, and
http://ww.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices.
If you have a temporary medical condition or injury, see guidelines at http://www.colorado.edu/disabilityservices/go.cgi?select=temporary.html.
Religious Observances:
Campus policy regarding religious observances requires that faculty make every effort to deal reasonably and fairly with all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. Please notify me during the first 2 weeks of class if you require such accommodation. See full details at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html.
Learning Environment:
Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Those who fail to adhere to such behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor with the student's legal name. I will gladly honor your request to address you by an alternate name. Please advise me of this preference early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records. See policies at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/classbehavior.html
and at http://www.colorado.edu/studentaffairs/judicialaffairs/code.html#student_code.
Discrimination & Harassment:
The University of Colorado at Boulder policy on Discrimination and Harassment, the University of Colorado policy on Sexual Harassment and the University of Colorado policy on Amorous Relationships apply to all students, staff and faculty. Any student, staff or faculty member who believes s/he has been the subject of discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status should contact the Office of Discrimination and Harassment (ODH) at 303-492-2127 or the Office of Judicial Affairs at 303-492-5550. Information about the ODH, the above referenced policies and the campus resources available to assist individuals regarding discrimination or harassment can be obtained at http://www.colorado.edu/odh.
