January 14: Introduction to
Geographic Information Science and Systems
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| Topics: |
Introduction to course.
Overview of laboratory resources, access, and use. GIS as an
integrating
research technology including basic GIS concepts and definitions.
Distribute software. |
| Readings and Work: |
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January 21: GIS as an Integrating
Technology
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| Topics: |
Consider GIS in
comparison to other application software used in
geography and the social and natural sciences. Introduction to first
project. |
| Readings and Work: |
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January 28: Database Concepts and
Models
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| Topics: |
Analyze how GIS
databases model real-world phenomena and processes. Compare the raster
and vector models of organization geospatial information and various
methods for structuring attribute data. |
| Readings and Work: |
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February 4: Cartographic
Communication and Data Visualization
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| Topics: |
Introduction to
thematic cartography applied to first maps. Overview of cartography as
a form of visual communication. Definition of audience and theme.
Overview of general principles, composition of map elements, and visual
hierarchy. Experiments with point symbols and color. Problems of
realizing goals with automated systems. |
| Readings and Work: |
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February 11: Principles and
Pitfalls of Statistical Mapping
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| Topics: |
Overview of issues
relating to demographic mapping: statistical generalization,
classification, and symbolization. Overview of problems of data
classification and of strengths and weaknesses of various methods.
Perform experiments with area patterns and further tests with layout
and color. |
| Readings and Work: |
- Begin Mapping Tectonic Hotspots,
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/foote/maps/assign/hotspots/hotspots.html
- Coulson, Michael R.C. 1987. In the matter of class
intervals for choropleth maps: With particular reference to the work of
George F. Jenks. Cartographica 24 (2): 16-39.
- Evans, Ian S. 1977. The selection of class intervals.
Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers New Series 2:
98-124.
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February 18: Coordinate Systems and
Datums
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| Topics: |
Raise issue of
different systems used for establishing location. Address issue of how
and why coordinate systems differ. Survey major issues and terms.
Introduce principle land survey and coordinate systems employed most
commonly in Colorado, US, and other parts of the world. |
| Readings and Work: |
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| Topics: |
Overview basic issue of
map projections and compromises involved in transferring 3-dimensional
positions to 2-dimensional surfaces. Introduce basic terminology.
Consider widely used methods, why and when they are applied, and the
compromises involved in employing each one. |
| Readings and Work: |
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March 3:
GPS and Data Sources and Geocoding for GIS
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| Topics: |
Consider map and data
sources and decide how these will be used. Address difficulties of
gathering information from varied sources and of data quality. |
| Readings and Work: |
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March 10: Accuracy and Precision in
Spatial Datasets
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| Topics: |
Consider how accuracy and precision effect
spatial datasets. Examine major sources and how they can propogate and
cascade in cartographic databases. |
| Readings and Work: |
- Finish Boulder County Flooding
Project by Friday at 5 pm.
- Ken Foote and Don Huebner, Error, Accuracy, and Precision
in Spatial Datasets,
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/error/error_f.html
- Burrough, Peter A. and Rachael A. McDonnell. 1998.
Errors and Quality Control. Chap. 9 in Principles of Geographical
Information Systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Fisher, P.F. 1999. Models of Uncertainty in Spatial
Data. In Geographic Information Systems, 2nd ed. Vol. 1, Principles
and Technical Issues, eds. Paul A. Longley, Michael F. Goodchild,
David
J. Maguire and David Rhind, 191-205. New York: John Wiley and
Sons.
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March 17: Managing and Modeling Error;
Project Design, Planning and Lifecycle
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| Topics: |
Consider methods for
dealing with error and imprecision in spatial datasets. Discuss
standards for creating GIS databases and methods of testing for and
estimating error. Introduce sensitivity analysis. Focus on steps
involved
in designing and developing a GIS project from start to finish.
Stress the importance of setting clear objectives and testing the
system periodically to make sure it meets goals. |
| Readings and Work: |
- Begin Spatial
Analysis of Plant Distribution Patterns
- Pick idea for final project
- Ken Foote and Don Huebner, Managing Error,
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/manerror/manerror_f.html
.
- Heuvelink, G.B.M. 1999. Propagation of Error in
Spatial
Modelling with GIS. In Geographic Information Systems,
2nd ed.
Vol. 1, Principles and Technical Issues, eds. Paul A. Longley,
Michael F. Goodchild, David J. Maguire and David Rhind, 207-217.
New
York: John Wiley and Sons.
- Beard, M.K. and B.P. Buttenfield. 1999. Detecting
and Evaluating Errors by Graphical Methods. In Geographic
Information Systems , 2nd ed. Vol. 1, Principles and Technical
Issues, eds. Paul A.
Longley, Michael F. Goodchild, David J. Maguire and David Rhind,
219-233.
New York: John Wiley and Sons.
- Ken Foote and Shannon Crum, Project Planning and Lifecyle,
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/lifecycle/lifecycl_f.html
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March 31: Geospatial Modeling and
Geostatistics; Web GIS and other Applications
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| Topics: |
Focus on the some
modeling and geostatistical techniques employed in GIScience and
related to the interests of the class. Survey current trends
in Web GIS. Consider the range of GIS functionality now in the web and
some of the experiments underway.
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| Readings and Work: |
- Finish Spatial Analysis of Plant Distribution Patterns by Friday at 5 pm.
- Begin work on final project.
- Mitchell, Andy. 2005. The ESRI
Guide to GIS
Analysis. Volume 2: Spatial Measurements and Statistics. Redlands,
CA: ESRI Press.
- Ken Foote and Tony Kirvan. WebGIS, NCGIA Core Curriculum in
GIScience,
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u133/u133_f.html
- Wade Roush, Killer Maps, Technology Review, http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/05/10/issue/feature_maps.asp
- Ken Foote, Notes on Geospatial Futures, http://www.colorado.edu/geography/foote/maps/notes/GeospatialFutures.doc
- The Economist,
Technology Quarterly, The World on Your Desktop, 8 September 2007,
18-20, http://www.economist.com/search/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9719045
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April 7: Special
Topics
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| Topics: |
Guest lectures this week. |
| Readings and Work: |
- Tuesday: joni palmer--GIS and public art
- Thursday: Professor Stefan Leyk, Department of
Geography--Modeling
- Lab meets--start on final/pilot projects
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| Topics: |
Guest
lectures this week. |
| Readings and Work: |
- Tuesday: Professor Barbara "Babs" Buttenfield, Department
of Geography--Modeling, Uncertainty, etc.
- Thursday: Professor Nicholas Nagle, Department of
Geography--Geostatistics
- No lab this week
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April 21: Legal, Ethical, Political
and Social Issues
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| Topics: |
Examine situations in
which maps, GIS and information technology intersect the law. Consider
some of the ethical problems that arise from the use and misuse of
information technology, including the issue of privacy. Consider how
maps can be used to mislead readers either unintentionally or
intentionally. Examine how maps are sometimes used for propaganda and
how they express the values and motives of the map makers themselves.
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| Readings and Work: |
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April 28: Frontiers in GIScience
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| Topics: |
Presentations of last
project on Tuesday and Thursday. Course debriefing and evaluation
on Thursday.
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| Readings and Work: |
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Final projects due by Saturday,
May 3rd, 10:00 am
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| Last revised 2008.4.28. KEF. |
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