ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS – SPRING 2001

Bruce P. Hayden – Clark Hall 104 (924-0545) – bph@virginia.edu

John H. Porter - Clark Hall 357 (924-8999) - jhp7e@virginia.edu

Office Hours: Tu, Th 2-3 pm

PURPOSE --

Geographical data is increasingly important in understanding our society and our environment. This course will focus on teaching students the principles and operation of GIS software through computer-based exercises and projects.

PREREQUISITES --

It is expected that students will have completed their Natural Science/Mathematics and Social Science College Area Requirements and have successfully completed EVSC 362- GIS Methods. It is expected that students have considerable experience with computers. Additional computing experience, especially with geographical information systems will be desirable.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING --

Grading will be based on:

• Presentation on a GIS Technique (20%)
• Design and creation of specialized maps (20%)
• Group GIS Project (30% )
• Individual GIS Poster (20%)
• Participation (%10)

HONOR CODE AND PASSWORDS --

Because much can be learned from each other and group practice, students should seek understanding from any relevant source. Instructors will provide advice on how to proceed with practice and may provide similar advice on project preparation.

The Honor Code will cover the final preparation of each individual or group exercise. Although students may work together to learn the procedures, each student’s or student group’s project must be substantially different from any other student. All sources used must be documented.

Passwords providing access to servers, software and other components of the University’s computing system are for the exclusive use of students in this course. Providing passwords to others and misuse of computing privileges will be grounds for immediate dismissal from this course.

Activities Schedule

Jan. 17	Introduction - Student & Instructor Goals for Course
Jan. 22 & 24	Map Design & Orientation to Software
Jan. 29 & 31	Potential Project - Speakers
Feb. 5 & 6	Potential Project - Speakers
Feb. 12 & 14	Map Design Presentations & Feedback
Feb. 19 & 20	Revised Map Design Presentations
Feb. 26 & 28	Special Topics
Mar. 5 & 7	Special Topics
Break
Mar. 19 & 21
Mar. 26 & 28	Group Projects Presentations
Apr. 9 & 11
Apr. 16 & 18
Apr. 23 & 25	Individual Poster Presentations
Apr. 30	Wrapup

Special Topics

Your Mission:

• To provide a 30 minute presentation to the class on features of GIS software that are of special interest to you
• The presentation should include:
• A brief description of what the tools can help you do
• How the tools work
• A brief example of what the tools can do
• An example of using the tools in an actual analysis
• Any special information or “tips”

Suggested Topics (feel free to add your own)

• Hydrologic Analysis
• Watershed delineation
• Contouring Data
• Topographic Data
• Importing Data
• Linking to analytical software using exported attributes
• Neighborhood Analyses
• Proximity analysis
• Optimal routing using NETWORK
• Logical Expressions in vector and grid analyses
• Digitizing
• Advanced Editing of Vector Data
• Viewshed analysis
• Address Geocoding
• Linking GIS to simulation models
• Image Processing
• Metadata