Geog488 GIS Syllabus

Geographic Information Systems
Geography 488
Syllabus (Fall 2008)

The table below lists this semester's topics and assignments (approximately) by week. We are skipping around in Bolstad's text, and dropping the outside readings. I can suggest further readings to support your particular interests. Please read the text before class.

Week Topic, Readings and Assignments

1 Introduction to GIS
Read: Bolstad's ToC and Chap 1.
Write: Compare Bolstad's definition of GIS with your previous conception.

2 Geographic Information
Read: Chap 2, skim 7 & 8
Lab: ArcGIS Overview; Basic use of ArcGIS. (link)

3 Map Representation
Read: Chap 4, skim Chap 3
Lab: More use of ArcGIS (Text to Tables to Views to Maps) (link)
Write: Differentiate 'topology' from 'topography', and differentiate 'relative' from 'absolute' location/coordinates. Then... given that the earth is moving through space, how absolute are our usual absolute coordinates?

4 Computer Representation
Read: Chap 2
Write: How small a difference in position can you represent using latitude and longitude as coordinates in a shapefile? (Experiment with converting coordinates in a text file into points in a shapefile to see how fine a positional distinction a shapefile maintains.)

5 Vector Data Models (and GPS)
Lab: Consumer grade GPS and data checking. (link)
Read: Chap 4, 5, 7
Write: Re-write (part of) the Honolulu DLG to a shapefile.

6 Raster Data Models and Raster Spatial and Terrain Analysis
Read: Chap 2, 6, 7, 10,
Lab: Raster Lab

7 DBMS: Relational and Object Oriented
Read: Chap 8
Team Project Assigned: Topic to be determined

8 Spatial Analysis: Intersection and Overlay
Read: Chap 10, Appendix C
Lab: Geo-referencing, Screen Digitizing & Dataset development. (here)
Write: Compare 'Buffer', 'Spatial Join', 'Spatial selection' and 'Overlay' operations.

9 Mid-term exam (around here)
Spatial Analysis: Interpolation
Read: Chap 9, 12
Lab: Interpolation Lab

10 Raster Spatial Analysis and Terrain Analysis
Read: Chap 10, 11

11 Networks and Network Analysis
Term project idea due: 1 page outlining the question or problem, data, and methods you will use.
Write: Sketch a graph of the (non-planar) transportation network around the H1 between Kapahulu Avenue and University Avenue.

12 Addresses and Address Matching
Lab: Address geocoding here

13 Spatial Simulation Modeling
Read: Chap 13, this pdf .
Lab: Run and modify a Simulation Model (Game of Life) in ArcGIS

14 Data Quality & Standards: NSDI, SDTS,ISO
Read: Chap 14
Write: Generate compliant Metadata for (at least) one of the datasets for your term project.

15 Temporal Issues
Read: to be announced
Write: What does including 'time' do to GIS data volume?

16 Catch up & Recent Developments
Read: Chap 15
Final Monday 15 December 2008, 2:15 - 4:15,

Week	Topic, Readings and Assignments
1	Introduction to GIS Read: Bolstad's ToC and Chap 1. Write: Compare Bolstad's definition of GIS with your previous conception.
2	Geographic Information Read: Chap 2, skim 7 & 8 Lab: ArcGIS Overview; Basic use of ArcGIS. (link)
3	Map Representation Read: Chap 4, skim Chap 3 Lab: More use of ArcGIS (Text to Tables to Views to Maps) (link) Write: Differentiate 'topology' from 'topography', and differentiate 'relative' from 'absolute' location/coordinates. Then... given that the earth is moving through space, how absolute are our usual absolute coordinates?
4	Computer Representation Read: Chap 2 Write: How small a difference in position can you represent using latitude and longitude as coordinates in a shapefile? (Experiment with converting coordinates in a text file into points in a shapefile to see how fine a positional distinction a shapefile maintains.)
5	Vector Data Models (and GPS) Lab: Consumer grade GPS and data checking. (link) Read: Chap 4, 5, 7 Write: Re-write (part of) the Honolulu DLG to a shapefile.
6	Raster Data Models and Raster Spatial and Terrain Analysis Read: Chap 2, 6, 7, 10, Lab: Raster Lab
7	DBMS: Relational and Object Oriented Read: Chap 8 Team Project Assigned: Topic to be determined
8	Spatial Analysis: Intersection and Overlay Read: Chap 10, Appendix C Lab: Geo-referencing, Screen Digitizing & Dataset development. (here) Write: Compare 'Buffer', 'Spatial Join', 'Spatial selection' and 'Overlay' operations.
9	Mid-term exam (around here) Spatial Analysis: Interpolation Read: Chap 9, 12 Lab: Interpolation Lab
10	Raster Spatial Analysis and Terrain Analysis Read: Chap 10, 11
11	Networks and Network Analysis Term project idea due: 1 page outlining the question or problem, data, and methods you will use. Write: Sketch a graph of the (non-planar) transportation network around the H1 between Kapahulu Avenue and University Avenue.
12	Addresses and Address Matching Lab: Address geocoding here
13	Spatial Simulation Modeling Read: Chap 13, this pdf . Lab: Run and modify a Simulation Model (Game of Life) in ArcGIS
14	Data Quality & Standards: NSDI, SDTS,ISO Read: Chap 14 Write: Generate compliant Metadata for (at least) one of the datasets for your term project.
15	Temporal Issues Read: to be announced Write: What does including 'time' do to GIS data volume?
16	Catch up & Recent Developments Read: Chap 15
Final	Monday 15 December 2008, 2:15 - 4:15,