Syllabus / Assignments/Students

G&ES 391 Research With GIS

1. Course Number: G&ES 391 -- Spring 2010 Wednesdays 7:05 - 9:45 Room CBM 114
2. Student Lab with Software (S-252) phone: 442-5651(on campus extension 5651)
3. Professor: Erick Howenstine S-344A (773) 442-5647 E-howenstine@neiu.edu
4. Office hours: M 8-9, W 5-7, Th 9-11 and by appointment
5. Graduate Technical Assistant: Paisly DiBianca. E-Mail: p-dibianca@neiu.edu
   Hours and Information M 6:45-9:45 Sa 10-5: Check Here for updates
6. Text: GIS Tutorial (ESRI) -- this comes with a 180-day license for ArcGIS; handouts
7. Also see the National Association for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) core curriculum materials

This course is the first of a three-course sequence constituting the core of the undergraduate or graduate level GIS Certificate. Check the department website for more information. Students taking the class for graduate credit must inform the instructor in writing on the first week of class.

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how to work with the spatial object files and attribute tables that are fundamental to GIS. They will edit and create new layers, prepare and attach external data, map data from tables, extract new information by combining layers, calculatte spatial relationships, analyze subsets and transfer information across mapped layers in various ways. Students will design and undertake a research project which will require creative thought application of new skills.

Acquired skills will include:

Spatial data  accessing public data digitizing and editing spatial layers projecting layers mapping from xy coordinates

Attribute data major public data sources data processing joining databases exporting tables creating spatial data

Analysis  selecting subsets buffering overlay merge data retrieval summary statistics

And display cartographic themes layouts printing and exporting report writing publishing online

Software

The software used in G&ES 391 is mainly ArcGIS 9.3. A 180-day trial version comes with the recommended text. A permanent license is available to students for $250; 11 extensions (permanent() are available for another $150. A one-year license, with four extensions, is available for $100. Although you do get 180 days with the textbook, a free 60-day evaluation software is available on the ESRI web site here. The software is available in the classroom and in the student lab (S252) for which you will be given swipe card access.

Schedule(subject to change)

1. Designing a GIS Project
2. Tools
3. Spatial layers
4. Attribute layers
5. Analysis

GRADING

Assignments and weights may change somewhat as the term progresses. Assignments are due one week from the class introducing them.


Attendance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Excused absences (max 3) for no deduction
Requirement Plan (ungraded) . . . . . . . . . . . . .= Jan 20
Requirements due. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Jan 27
Selection tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Feb 3
Boundary files  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Feb 10
Digitizing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Feb 17
Preference Plan (ungraded). . . . . . . . . . . . . .= Mar 3
Attribute Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Mar 17
Geocoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Mar 31
Thematic maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Apr 7
Index formula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Apr 14
Completed index project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Apr 28
MIDTERM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Feb 24
SECOND EXAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Apr 28
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Grades will be based on overall percentage; to get percentage value of each assignment, divide by total. Therefore, if an adjustment takes place, simply divide your total received by the new total possible. Click here to get a copy of the grade sheet (which may be revised)

Graduate Credit

This is a "starred" course, indicating that graduate students may take the course for graduate credit by completing an extra assignment. Graduate students, or students in their last semester of their undergraduate program may commit to taking the course for graduate credit on the first day of class. In addition to the assignments graduate students must write a paper on an approved topic of their choice. This paper will be factored into their final grade with the weight of one of the exams. Therefore graduate students' grades will be based on 120 points rather than 100.

GRADUATE STUDENTS
Week 1: Announce to the instructor in writing intention to receive graduate credit -- sign up during class
Week 3: Choose a specific topic of interest, submit a one-page formal proposal which outlines the paper and identifies some key sources -- submit during class
Week 6: Written, informal report to the instructor regarding the progress on the paper -- submit during class
Week 9: Draft to the instructor -- indicate in the draft areas which will be strengthened (10 pt)
Week 13: Final paper due (10 pt)

Both the draft and the final paper (10 pages plus graphics) will be graded for the following:

1. Scope -- Breadth and depth appropriate to a short formal paper
2. Writing quality -- formal concise language, proper grammer and style
3. Organization -- is it structured well, through breadth, depth, and conclusion
4. References -- appropriate in number and quality, proper APA citation style

Rules and Procedures

1. No food or drinks in S-242.
2. S-242 is open only during class times. S-252 has the same software and is available at any time, with swipe access.
3. You can only write to C:\temp and My Documents in S-242.
4. Weekend access to the building and lab will be arranged. You will need to go to public safety to access the building
5. The P: drive, available from student labs on campus, will contain material for the class.
6. Don't install programs, change computer settings, or take books or materials from S-252.
7. Report problems immediately.
8. Read your e-mail regularly and maintain e-mail contact with instructor.
9. Complete your work by deadlines unless otherwise arranged in advance.
10. Do not put equipment in the lab at risk of food or drink.
11. Helping one another is encouraged, but not at the expense of your own work.
12. Back up your work regularly. You will be held responsible even if it is lost.
13. If you fall behind, tell the instructor immediately. No incompletes will be given to students who have procrastinated or fallen behind without notice.
14. Copying other's work and submitting it as one's own, even with slight modifications, will result in a failing grade for the course.
15. The password for course materials is for students in this class only, except by permission of the instructor.

© 1991-2009 Erick Howenstine