Computer cartography is changing rapidly under the influence of GIS, the web, and inexpensive graphics-capable computers. Still, it deals with "classic" technical and graphical challenges.
This course introduces the theory and practice of using computers to make maps. It is concerned with both digital and graphic representation of spatial data. Its intent is to introduce concepts and tools to help you produce good maps such as might illustrate scholarly writing, but its focus is on how map production is computerized --- the underlying technologies and the classic problems.
Data models and data structures for digital representation of maps are considered as are notions of graphic logic. Classic topics in map projections, line and area generalization, contouring, label placement, surface and volume interpolation, and other aspects of cartographic symbolization are discussed and illustrated. Laboratory exercises, using a variety of software packages in both Windows and UNIX environments will demonstrate the principles discussed in class.
In this offering, we will be using several mapping packages as well as learning some computer programming techniques to increase your ability to manipulate data for use in various mapping environments and to examine issues in distributed and network based cartographic software. In particular, I anticipate using a combination of mapping programs including MicroCAM, GMT, Surfer, ArcGIS and GRASS, and 'languages' including awk, Java, Python, VRML, and PostScript.
In future offerings, I anticipate shifting the course away from using packages and toward programming to produce maps from scratch. Students in the course should have already taken an introductory thematic cartography course or a good GIS data modelling course. The emphasis will be on programming to produce the graphics, assuming that the foundations of carto-graphical logic are in place. The main tools will be Python, and modules for scientific and engineering graphics such as: PyNGL, PyNIO, and NumPy. The focus should be on cartographic data models and algorithms for processing cartographic data. I still intend to cover PostScript, SVG, and perhaps VRML and JPG as output formats.
This term we will use a collection of excerpts from several texts including:
Grades will be based on two short-essay examinations (midterm 15% and final 15%), a set of approximately weekly exercises (together 50%), and a term project (20%). In addition, class participation and engagement are expected. Each of these components must be completed to pass the course. The university policy on I-grades will hold. The exam format is short essay, usually answering 5 out of 7 questions. The labs complement the lecture material and should be completed as we go. They generally involve using a particular piece of software to produce several maps, and then writing a brief evaluative write-up relating the differences in the maps to principles discussed in class. In this offering, some of the labs will require that you develop cartographic software to modify data, transform data, and produce maps. Labs will be graded for demonstrating that you have experimented with and mastered the programs and associated concepts from lecture and reading materials.
The software we will be using has been chosen to illustrate cartographic principles and to illustrate the types of software that are available for cartography. Learning new software and hardware can be extremely frustrating, but keeping it in perspective will reduce the frustration. It is more important that you learn the principles and hence what to expect in any new program rather than memorize which commands/buttons do what in each package.
You will have 24 hour per day access to the facilities in PSB. These facilities are intended to support the department's teaching and research in cartography. I expect that you will help keep the room clean and neat, will cooperate with other users in sharing the facilities, and will respect software copyrights.