Special Topics in Environmental Sciences (390-0-01)
Topic
GIS - Vector Focused
Meeting Info
Technological Institute F285: Mon 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a powerful tool for analyzing spatial datasets, and for this reason it has a very wide range of interdisciplinary application, making it very popular among organizations. This course is a beginner course for students with no or little knowledge in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial theory, but also a good refresher for students with some background knowledge. This class will be provided students with both theoretical and technical GIS skills through hands on learning and lab assignments, with a final real-world problem-solving mini project and a lot of fun!
Registration Requirements
There are no prerequisites required.
Learning Objectives
In this course, students will:
- Understand why GIS is a powerful tool and how it is applied in many fields
- Have a basic understanding of key spatial theories and concepts
- Understand how to apply their GIS software and theory knowledge to their field/degree
- Understand data types, data management, and data conversions
By the end of this quarter, students should be able to:
- Be able to navigate and use the software interface
- Develop and maintain a project Log for workflow documentation.
- Be able to critically evaluate, gather, maintain and query data sets produced by government agencies, industry, academia, and popular media.
- Apply basic Vector GIS digital techniques in their field/degree studies and research applications and use commonly available GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS, Google Earth) to view, assess, and present spatial datasets (e.g. shapefiles) to produce visual and cartographic representations of data.
- Create high quality maps/figures to include in illustrated academic, scientific and professional high-quality reports or presentations.
- Exercise critical "spatial" thinking and creative problem-solving skills
Teaching Method
This class will be taught with combined lecture/activity sessions. Each class will include a theoretical knowledge base, an in-class GIS exercise, and a relevant homework assignment to build skills.
Evaluation Method
The course evaluates students' performance by using the following weighting scheme:
- Class Participation: 15%
- Lab/Homework Assignments: 30%
- Final exam: 20%
- Term project: 35%
Class Materials (Required)
Based on software availability, in this class we will use the ESRI ArcGIS Pro software. For this reason, a personal laptop (possibly a PC) is needed.
NOTE: if you have a MAC, you cannot install ArcGIS Pro as ESRI software doesn't run on MAC. To solve this issue, I will have all my students be able to access the IT Virtual lab, in which they can access ArcGIS Pro using this remote connection to the virtual machine with any device with an internet connection. Alternative options are available.
To access ArcGIS Pro, students need to be part of an ESRI ArcGIS Online Organization, for which students will receive an email invitation by the second class. Once you have this account, you can download and install the software on your personal laptop.
Alternatively (or in addition) we will use QGIS, an open-source software, that is a very good alternative to ArcGIS Pro and that can run on MAC as well.
We will also use:
• Google Earth (free open-source software to download) so please have it ready on your computers.
• Microsoft Excel, to perform basic tabulations and univariate analyses
NOTE: If a personal laptop capable of downloading the software is a limitation, please reach out to Dr. Sperone or Dr. Beddows for support in obtaining a machine that will facilitate participating in this course.
Associated Classes
LAB - Meets in Non-General PurposeRm: Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM