Due to the ongoing pandemic, if you feel sick or have fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of respiratory illness, you should stay home and notify me of your absence. I will work with you to address any COVID-19 related impacts to your participation in and completion of this course.  Your individual and our collective wellness and safety is paramount.

Contact Information:

• Meeting Time:  Tuesday 7:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. plus Two Hours Supervised Open Lab TBA
• Instructor: Dr. John Carroll
• Office: Humanities 410
• Telephone: (657) 278-3189
• Email: jcarroll@fullerton.edu
• Office Hours: MW 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.;  and by appointment

Course Description:

Introduction to the range of techniques associated with geographic information systems and computer-assisted cartography, including conversion of maps and spatial data to digital form, database mapping, computer-assisted analysis of spatial data, computer-aided map design, and the production of computer-generated maps.

Learning Objectives:

By the conclusion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Understand the nature of geographic data and the fundamentals of geographic data structures
2. Demonstrate the ability to construct simple spatial databases
3. Understand the nature of geographic problems and the procedures used to solve them
4. Demonstrate the ability to perform simple spatial data analyses
5. Apply principles of geographic data display to GIS problems
6. Demonstrate the ability to communicate the results of GIS analysis through appropriate maps, documents and web pages
7. Master the techniques for constructing and maintaining computer GIS files
8. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of desktop GIS software

Geography majors should also understand the role of GIS in achieving the department's undergraduate learning objectives.

Prerequisites:

Students enrolled in Geography 481 must have a basic working knowledge of the Windows operating environment including file and directory structure and a general familiarity with basic mapping principles.

Resources:

• REQUIRED TEXT: GIS Commons - eBook FREE :-)
• Course content is embedded in a series of structured independent learning activities
• The course involves work using the computer software and hardware of the Geography Department's computer lab
• In addition to scheduled class time, students are expected to spend a minimum of two hours per week in the supervised open lab working on achieving the course learning goals (the schedule of open lab hours will be posted during the first week of class)
• Students are advised to have a USB compatible storage device or cloud storage to back up assignments and projects.
• Applied GIS Readings available on the course Canvas site (see below).

Assessment Procedures:

Assessment of the degree to which each student has achieved the learning objectives of the course will be based upon the following 4 components:

EXAMS:  There will be two non-comprehensive exams in this class covering approximately one half of the course material each.  Exams may consist of essay questions, short answer, definitions and technical problems based on lecture, class discussion and lab assignments.  A significant portion of each exam will be a hands-on assessment of software proficiency. The written portion of each exam will be used to evaluate your mastery of the course learning goals involving concepts, theories, uses of GIS, geographic data, and geographic analysis. The technical problem portion (hands-on) of each exam will be used to evaluate your mastery of database skills, geographic analysis, and computer GIS software usage. Exam 1 will contribute 35 percent toward the course grade. Exam 2 will contribute 30 percent toward the course grade.

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT:  Students will complete an individual project involving the construction of a GIS application.  Topics and detailed requirements will be assigned by the instructor later in the semester.  The project provides you with an opportunity to demonstrate your mastery of the class learning objectives to the extent that you are able to work independently, frame a GIS problem, gather data, perform appropriate analyses and produce high-quality map and tabular output. In addition to appropriate maps and a report, students will give a brief presentation to the class. The Individual Project will contribute 20 percent toward the course grade.

LAB ASSIGNMENTS:  Students will complete a series of weekly lab assignments. Each assignment is normally due during the next class after it is assigned. Assignments will be evaluated on the basis of accuracy, completeness and timeliness. Each assignment will receive a maximum of 10 points, with late assignments receiving a maximum of 5 points (up to one week past due date). The labs will contribute 10 percent toward the course grade.

APPLIED GIS READING ASSIGNMENTS AND QUIZZES: Students will read a series of brief articles that highlight various GIS principles and practices. The readings are intended to introduce students to the wide range of problems that have been addressed using GIS technology. Questions to guide the reading will be provided. Periodic quizzes may also be administered. Completed reading questions will be due once per week by 11:00 p.m. on the posted due dates during the first half of the semester. Each set of reading questions will receive a maximum of 10 points, with late assignments receiving a maximum of 5 points (up to one week past due date). The reading questions and quizzes will contribute 5 percent toward the course grade.

Grade Determination:

 
There will be no +/- grading for this course. The following grading scale will be applied:

General Policies and Information:

IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY INFORMATION AND STUDENT POLICIES

Software for Students
Did you know you can get FREE and low-cost software for being an active CSUF student? Software can be requested from the CSUF Student Technology Services website.

Document date: 08/23/2021