GEOG 2470-200 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
(4 credits) Prerequisite: None.
Fall 2009, Dr. Rudnicki
M-W 4:00pm - 7:00pm
NEB200
e-mail: rrudnicki@alamo.edu
phone 210/588-1649
I. Catalog Description.
This course will serve as a basic introduction to the concepts and techniques of GIS. In the laboratory,
students will study methods of geographic data collection, including Global Positioning System (GPS) entry,
storage, retrieval, and output using ArcGIS software.
Instructor's note: Rather than a straight-forward division between lecture and lab, this course is taught
very much in a hands-on manner. The course material consists of a technology and there's no better way
to learn how to use technology than in a hands-on manner. There's no clear division between lecture and lab.
Those to components merge in a hands-on learning environment. Learning GIS is learning how to use
computer hardware and software for spatial data handling. An abstract of a paper presented in 2007
elaborates a bit on the rationale for this approach. The abstract is here:
II. Textbook, Readings, and Related Materials.
Two books required for this course:
1. I. Heywood, S. Cornelius, & S. Carver, An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems. 3rd ed. 2006.
Pearson/Prentice Hall. This book will form the basis for lectures in the course.
2. Tim Ormsby, et al., Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor,
and ArcInfo. 2nd ed, 2004. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press. This book will serve as the 'lab manual' for the course.
An additional recommended book is:
Bruce Davis, GIS: A Visual Approach. 2nd ed., 2001. Santa Fe: Onward Press. This book presents
main concepts in GIS graphically. This simplified approach is useful for the beginner in GIS.
III. Course Grade.
The student's course grade will be based on two objective (multiple choice, True/False) exams,
several quizzes (vocabulary and definitions), and exercises based on those found in the
Getting to Know ArcGIS text/lab manual. Each exam counts as 20% of the total grade.
The quizzes will count 5%, and the exercises count as 55% of the grade.
Exams need to be taken on the specified dates. Make-up exams will be allowed only with a
medical excuse signed by a physician.
Quizzes will be announced at least one class before they're given.
Exercises need to be handed in on the date specified. Points will be subtracted from assignments
handed in late.
Weighting assigned to each graded item is:
Exam 1 = 50 points
Exam 2 = 50 points
Quizzes = 10 points
Exercises = 140 points
Total Points=250
Standard 10% letter grade cutoffs will be applied
(i.e., A is 90% or higher, B is 80-89.9%, C is 70-79.9%,....)
IV. Course Schedule (Tentative Lecture and Selected Lab Topics).
Reference Maps as GIS Reports
Week 1. Defining GIS; Intro to ArcGIS & Vector Spatial Data (Reference Maps: The World I)
Week 2. The Projected World; Geographical Considerations (Projections, Graticules, and Scale)
Week 3. What Geographical Information Systems Do; Cartographical (Map Design) Considerations
Week 4. Data, Databases, DBMS, Geographic Data, Spatial Database Management, ArcCatalog
Week 5. Vector Data, ArcGIS, and Color as a design element in GIS map reports
Week 6. ArcMAP layouts (The 3 'considerations' as applied to a GIS report of North America)
Week 7. Labels on Maps; Editing Vector Data features and related Spatial Data Updates
Week 8. Topology, and Data Base Management Systems
Raster/Remote Sensing Maps as GIS Reports
Week 9. Raster Data (DEMs); Output from GIS, continued: Thematic Maps I.
Week 10. History of GIS (computer hardware); Thematic Maps II; Test 1 (October 30)
Week 11. History of GIS (software); Output from GIS (continued)
Week 12. ArcCatalog and Metadata, (carto)graphic GIS Reports based on rudimentary spatial analysis
Week 13. Wrapping Up GIS Reports (cartographic and text); Spatial Data Acquisition
Week 14. Acquiring Spatial Data (continued); Raster Data including DRGs, DEMs, DOQs
Thematic Maps as GIS Reports
Week 15. Acquiring Spatial Data (continued); Fundamental Spatial Analysis; Collecting GIS data in the field.
Week 16. Final Exam
NB. This outline originally followed the order of chapters in the text by Bruce Davis,
GIS: A Visual Approach, 2nd ed. Therefore, readers should expect some discontinuity between
the order of material presented in that book versus the one being used currently (2009) by
Heywood, Cornelius, and Carver. In the end, however, the same basic material will be covered by
the book and in class. We may not cover all of the material in the order outlined;
it all depends on class needs and progress.
For example, some classes might not have adequate background in generating reports from GIS utilizing cartographic
summarization techniques. Time will be spent in class learning the GIS software but also learning how GIS software
is used to summarize numbers pertaining to areas. Because ArcGIS software has built into it tools for four different
ways to process numbers pertaining to areas (graduated color, graduated symbol, proportional symbol, and dot
distribution), we will cover those. If students need time to grasp and get comfortable with the application of
those GIS tools, that's what we'll do.
Lab exercises based on: Ormsby, et al, will be selected to complement the lecture and
textbook sequence of topics as much as possible. Students can expect some divergence particularly in the area of
cartographic GIS report generation, as has been mentioned. Other areas of divergence will probably include
areas such as GPS data collection and entry into a GIS, when working with map projections,
and also perhaps when processing digital elevation models (DEMs). Local data will be used where possible.
V. Exams.
The two exams will be objective and based on materials covered in the book.
Thus, the first exam will cover materials in the Heywood, Cornelius, and Carver text, chapters 1 through 5.
The final exam will cover materials in chapters 6 through 11.
VI. Competencies (Outcomes).
Upon completion of this course the students should be able to:
1. Discuss the history and development of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
2. Understand issues involving the design and implementation of a GIS.
3. Perform data acquisition through a variety of methods including GPS and data downloads, and incorporate these into a GIS.
4. Understand the fundamentals of database management information systems and their operation, especially relational dbms.
5. Perform data manipulation and management operations in a relational dbms environment.
6. Perform a variety of GIS analyses, including overlay operations, buffering, tabular and spatial joins, and interpolations.
7. Generate output in the form of layouts, reports, and web-based GIS products.
8. Understand the components of, and be able to generate a well-designed map.
VII. Tutorial and/or Help Sessions.
While no formal tutorial services are currently available, students are encouraged to seek help and advice
from their instructor during office hours and during mutually-arranged meeting times. Please contact
the instructor at the e-mail address provided above.
VIII. Attendance Policy.
Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day
and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is recorded and the student is responsible
for all work missed. Absences of each student are recorded without exception from the
official date of his/her enrollment. The counting of absences begins on the first day of a
student's enrollment in the course after classes begin. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks
of instruction in a regular semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from
a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of "W" (withdraw). It is the student's
responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.
Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism.
The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each. In the case of canceled classes due to
inclement weather or other emergencies, attempts will be made to assure that classroom hours are
rescheduled.
IX. Discipline.
All of the general and criminal laws of the State are declared by the Board of Trustees of the District to
be in full force on the campus. Any recognized misconduct violation of regulations, or socially
unacceptable behavior of students or non-students on this campus is subject to administrative
disciplinary action by the appropriate dean, executive vice president and/or the president of the
college, action by a student-faculty disciplinary review committee, or possible arrest and charge
by authorized campus or other peace officers of the city or state. A student may be requested or
required to withdraw with or without public statement of charges by the college administration.
Specific disciplinary responsibilities of institutional officials, classification of offenses and sanction
appropriate to each disciplinary offense, and disciplinary procedures are set forth in the
official "Student Code of Conflict" in the San Antonio College Bulletin.
X. Academic Dishonesty Policy.
Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in an
academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty.
Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion.
For additional information refer to the "Student Code of Conflict" in the San Antonio College Bulletin.
XI. Children on Campus Policy.
Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab.
Minors under the age of 12 must not be left unattended on campus.
Individual instructors may include additional restrictions or waivers for
their particular classrooms or labs, which will be included in the instructor's syllabus.
XII. ADA Statement for Students Requiring Special Accommodations.
The Alamo Community College District, and its affiliated colleges,
does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national
origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment
programs, or services.
Inquiries or complaints concerning these matters should be brought to the attention of:
Director of Human Resources, Title IX Coordinator, 210/208-8051.
Address: Human Resources Department, 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. AA, San Antonio, Texas 78204.
XIII. Contact Information for the Department of Public Safety
Emergencies 222-0911
General Phone 486-0000
Weather Phone 208-8189 (for information on college closures)