Laboratory 2 - Introduction Computer Mapping and GIS | GEOG 250 | Lab Reports Geography

GEOG 250 – Introduction to Computer Mapping

and GIS

Fort Lewis College – Fall Semester 2007

Course Information

Time & Location: Lecture – 11:15 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. M W F, EBH 060; Lab – 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. M or W, Berndt 680

Instructor: Scott White, Ph.D; office: Berndt Hall room 300; office hours: M W F 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (or by appointment)

contact: white_s@fortlewis.edu or 247-7475; class web page: http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/white_s/classes/geog250.html

Textbook Information

Lecture material will also come from Map Use (3rd edition), Cartography Thematic Map Design by Borden D. Dent, and Elements of

Cartography by Arthur H. Robinson. The last two books can be found in Reed Library

Course Description

In this class, you will be introduced to the study and design of maps, primarily through the application of a specialized computer mapping

software program known as a Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is a map-based computer decision support system that allows

for the investigation of geographic data relationships. People that are trained in GIS are in high demand today, both in government and

private industry. The lecture sessions in this class will focus primarily on GIS-based cartographic techniques, including georeferencing, map

analysis, and map design. We will cover many important aspects of mapmaking, including map data collection and processing, field

methods and GPS, cartographic communication, and topographic map reading and analysis. Effective map design techniques will also be

examined in both lecture and lab during the semester. “Laboratory” exercises will deal primarily with the design and creation of maps using

GIS. In the lab sections, you will use ArcGIS (ArcInfo) 9.2, the world’s most widely-used professional GIS software program. Many of the

lecture topics and lab assignments will examine the use of GIS in the fields of environmental and physical science.

There are no prerequisites for this course, however I do expect basic high school-level competency in geometry and algebra. Also, a

good understanding of Windows-based PCs is strongly recommended for success and happiness with GIS.

Grades and Assignments

grading follows the typical A, B, C, D, and F scheme, with + and – counting towards your final course grade:

A = 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = < 60

A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-66

B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-62

your course grade will be based on the following…

1. Exams – three lecture exams consisting of a mix of multiple choice and short answer/essay questions. Each exam will

count towards 10% of your final course grade (30% total). See the schedule on the back of this page for exam dates.

2. GIS Lab Exercises – a total of 12 GIS and related mapping lab exercises will be assigned during the semester.

A composite lab score will be scaled to 100 and will count towards 45% of your final course grade.

lab assignments are due at the start of the next lab period, unless otherwise indicated by your instructor

unless prior arrangements have been made, late lab assignments will not be accepted

much of the lab work can be finished during the 3-hour lab time period, however some lab exercises will require you

to spend time with GIS outside of the normal lab hours; computer lab hours are posted outside of the room

3. Other Assignments – approximately 4-5 homework or in-class assignments will count towards 5% of your final course

grade.

4. Final Map Project – the GIS lab exercises will culminate with the Final Map Project. This assignment will count towards

20% of your final course grade, and will consist of a large, poster-sized map consisting of several related general

reference and/or thematic maps created with GIS. The final map will be presented in a web page format. More

information will be forthcoming concerning this project.

make-up exams/quizzes will only be permitted if you have a valid excuse – I determine the validity; please note that

vacations, hunting trips, and other personal journeys for fun or profit do not constitute excused absences; make-up exams

may be different from those given to the other students, and may consist totally of short answer and/or essay questions

individual exam grades are not curved, but final course grades may be adjusted at the end of the semester

Partial preview of the text

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GEOG 250 – Introduction to Computer Mapping

and GIS

Fort Lewis College – Fall Semester 2007

Course Information Time & Location: Lecture – 11:15 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. M W F, EBH 060; Lab – 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. M or W, Berndt 680 Instructor: Scott White, Ph.D; office: Berndt Hall room 300; office hours: M W F 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (or by appointment) contact: white_s@fortlewis.edu or 247-7475; class web page: http://faculty.fortlewis.edu/white_s/classes/geog250.html Textbook Information

How to Lie with Maps , by Mark Monmonier, 2nd^ edition, © 1996 University of Chicago Press (ISBN 0-226-53421-9) – REQUIRED Lecture material will also come from Map Use (3rd^ edition), Cartography Thematic Map Design by Borden D. Dent, and Elements of Cartography by Arthur H. Robinson. The last two books can be found in Reed Library Course Description In this class, you will be introduced to the study and design of maps, primarily through the application of a specialized computer mapping software program known as a Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is a map-based computer decision support system that allows for the investigation of geographic data relationships. People that are trained in GIS are in high demand today, both in government and private industry. The lecture sessions in this class will focus primarily on GIS-based cartographic techniques, including georeferencing, map analysis, and map design. We will cover many important aspects of mapmaking, including map data collection and processing, field methods and GPS, cartographic communication, and topographic map reading and analysis. Effective map design techniques will also be examined in both lecture and lab during the semester. “Laboratory” exercises will deal primarily with the design and creation of maps using GIS. In the lab sections, you will use ArcGIS (ArcInfo) 9.2, the world’s most widely-used professional GIS software program. Many of the lecture topics and lab assignments will examine the use of GIS in the fields of environmental and physical science. There are no prerequisites for this course, however I do expect basic high school-level competency in geometry and algebra. Also, a good understanding of Windows-based PCs is strongly recommended for success and happiness with GIS. Grades and Assignments

 grading follows the typical A, B, C, D, and F scheme, with + and – counting towards your final course grade:

A = 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = < 60

A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-

B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-

 your course grade will be based on the following…

Exams – three lecture exams consisting of a mix of multiple choice and short answer/essay questions. Each exam will count towards 10% of your final course grade ( 30% total). See the schedule on the back of this page for exam dates.
GIS Lab Exercises – a total of 12 GIS and related mapping lab exercises will be assigned during the semester. A composite lab score will be scaled to 100 and will count towards 45% of your final course grade.  lab assignments are due at the start of the next lab period, unless otherwise indicated by your instructor  unless prior arrangements have been made, late lab assignments will not be accepted  much of the lab work can be finished during the 3-hour lab time period, however some lab exercises will require you to spend time with GIS outside of the normal lab hours; computer lab hours are posted outside of the room
Other Assignments – approximately 4-5 homework or in-class assignments will count towards 5% of your final course grade.
Final Map Project – the GIS lab exercises will culminate with the Final Map Project. This assignment will count towards 20% of your final course grade, and will consist of a large, poster-sized map consisting of several related general reference and/or thematic maps created with GIS. The final map will be presented in a web page format. More information will be forthcoming concerning this project.

 make-up exams/quizzes will only be permitted if you have a valid excuse – I determine the validity; please note that

vacations, hunting trips, and other personal journeys for fun or profit do not constitute excused absences; make-up exams may be different from those given to the other students, and may consist totally of short answer and/or essay questions

 individual exam grades are not curved , but final course grades may be adjusted at the end of the semester

 no extra credit assignments will be offered, although extra credit points may appear on some exams

 if English is not your primary language, you may use a dictionary during the exams – you must let me know in advance

Course and FLC Policies You are responsible for all materials presented during class and lab. I will not regularly record your attendance, but it is definitely in your best interests to come to each class since the exam questions will come primarily from the lecture notes. It is imperative that you attend every lab session on your assigned date (Monday or Wednesday). The last day to drop this class without a recorded grade is Tuesday, September 11 (census date). After that date, withdrawals will only be accepted if you have a documented medical or family condition that keeps you from completing this course. It is your responsibility as a student to ensure that you are properly enrolled in this course. It is not possible to add courses after the census date. Login to WEBOPUS to verify your enrollment status. Students with disabilities have equal access and equal opportunity in this course. If you require reasonable accommodations to fully participate in course activities or meet course requirements, you must register with Disability Services, 280 Noble Hall, 247-7459. If you qualify for services, bring your letter of accommodation to me as soon as possible. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and may result in a zero score on the assignment in question, a final course grade of F, and/or referral to the Vice President of Academic Affairs. I expect that all students will abide by the FLC Student Conduct Code. FFinally, please turn off your cell phone before entering the classroom or lab; if you can’t bear to be without your phone, stay at home.F GEOG 250 Lecture and Lab Schedule (subject to change) [ Textbook Key: MU = Map Use; HT = How To Lie With Maps; CT = Cartography Thematic Map Design ; EC = Elements of Cartography ] Week of… Lecture and Lab Topics Text Chapter 8/27 Introduction to Maps and Cartography; History of Cartography MU Intro; EC 3 Lab 1: General Reference Maps, Thematic Maps, and Aerial Imagery [non-GIS] 9/3 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Digital Map Data; Map Abstraction MU 19, 3 [4th^ ed.] Lab 2: Introduction to ArcGIS 9.2: Geodata Exploration with ArcMap and ArcCatalog 9/10 Map Design Basics; Color and Typography CT 13, 14, 15 Lab 3: Introduction to ArcGIS 9.2: Map Design and Layout 9/17 Geodesy; Map Scale; Map Projections MU 1, 2, 3 Lab 4: Working with Digital Vector and Raster Data Sets 9/24 Grid Coordinate Systems and Land Partitioning Systems; EXAM #1 (Friday, Sept. 28) MU 4, 5 Lab 5: Working with Map Projections and Coordinate Systems in ArcGIS 10/1 Directions, Routes, and Positions; The Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geocaching MU 12, 13, 14 Lab 6: Navigation with GPS 10/8 Map Accuracy and Metadata MU 10 Lab 7: Mapping with GPS and GIS 10/15 Distance, Area, and Slope Calculations; U.S. Geological Survey Mapping MU 11, 15, 16 Lab 8: Working with USGS Topographic Maps [non-GIS] 10/22 Relief Portrayal; Exam #2 (Friday, Oct. 26) MU 8 Lab 9: 2-D and 3-D Terrain and Image Mapping 10/29 Qualitative Thematic Maps MU 6 Lab 10: Mapping and Symbolizing Qualitative Thematic Data 11/5 Quantitative Thematic Maps; Spatial Sampling; Measurement Levels MU 7 Lab 11: Quantitative Thematic Mapping: Choropleth Techniques 11/12 Remote Sensing and Image Maps; Virtual Globes and Whole Earth Visualization MU 9 Lab 12: Quantitative Thematic Mapping: Point Symbolization 11/19  T H A N K S G I V I N G B R E A K  11/26 The Business of GIS; The Future of GIS

Laboratory 2 - Introduction Computer Mapping and GIS | GEOG 250, Lab Reports of Geography

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Partial preview of the text

Download Laboratory 2 - Introduction Computer Mapping and GIS | GEOG 250 and more Lab Reports Geography in PDF only on Docsity!

GEOG 250 – Introduction to Computer Mapping

and GIS

Fort Lewis College – Fall Semester 2007

 grading follows the typical A, B, C, D, and F scheme, with + and – counting towards your final course grade:

A = 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = < 60

A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-

B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-

 your course grade will be based on the following…

 make-up exams/quizzes will only be permitted if you have a valid excuse – I determine the validity; please note that

 individual exam grades are not curved , but final course grades may be adjusted at the end of the semester

 no extra credit assignments will be offered, although extra credit points may appear on some exams

 if English is not your primary language, you may use a dictionary during the exams – you must let me know in advance