Geography 460 covers the theory and application of computerized
geographic information systems (GIS). It combines an overview
of general principles of GIS and practical experience in the analytical
use of spatial information. It can be taken as an introduction
(a bit challenging one) or as a way to deepen already established
understanding, or as a way to add GIS techniques to an existing
environmental discipline. The lectures cover a comprehensive overview
of the analytical treatment of geographic information, following
the organization of a textbook written by the instructor. The
practical component involves the use of an analytical software
package, leading to a project experience. Lab exercises are interspersed
with discussion events to connect the practical material to broader
practice. Web resources will provide lecture notes, exercise materials,
discussion materials and sources for geographic information and
analysis at UW and around the world. [See detailed statement of
Objectives]
Each student will be required to apply computer tools to an issue
requiring spatial analysis, some of it outside of class hours.
This course is designed for a broad range of students, but each
student should have some exposure to the procedures used to make
maps and some introduction to the use of spatial information.
Geography students should have Geog.
360 (Principles of Cartography) or its equivalent such as
surveying, site analysis for landscape architects, or field courses
in geology and forestry. A multi-disciplinary mix of students
helps demonstrate the multi-disciplinary nature of GIS applications.
This course provides an integrated sequence, where the lectures,
the readings, and the practical component are tightly connected.
It is quite important to keep up with all the elements. There
are three types of assignments, noted in the schedule: practical
exercises with the software package (Ex.), discussions (D), and
a project. Due dates mean the start of class or section meeting.
The fourth component is an Exam.
The detailed schedule of all assignments is found in the Labs
page referenced everywhere in this site. See also the Lab
Policy statement and TA information.
The practical exercises provide a way to acquire skills in using GIS software and to apply the course concepts to real data. Exercises are due at the the date announced (usually at least a week after the relevant lab sessions). Exercises are intended to develop skills, not to evaluate your learning. The teaching assistants will introduce each exercise in lab sessions and provide additional assistance in office hours. Exercises submitted in time will be returned within one week. Exercises judged insufficient will be returned with notes on what elements could be remedied.
| DUE DATE | |
| Ex. 1 Introduction to ArcMap and Measurement Frameworks | 15/16 Oct. |
| Ex. 2 Attribute operations | 29/30 Oct. |
| Ex. 3 Map Comparisons and Overlay | 6/7 Nov. |
| Ex. 4 Buffers and distances | 12/13 Nov. |
| Ex. 5 Neighborhood and surface operations | 14 Nov. |
A: outstanding comprehension of lab material, strong facility
with the software
A- (3.7): good comprehension of lab material, minor weaknesses
B+ (3.3): reasonable comprehension of lab material
B (3.0): adequate comprehension of lab material, all assignments
complete
B- (2.7): adequate comprehension, but some assignments incomplete
C: (2.0): difficulties in comprehension or major trouble with
completion
D: (1.0): one assignment not submitted in first instance
F: (0.0): two or more assignments not submitted in first instance
Timing: When returning Ex.3 (around 15 November), the TAs will issue a provisional exercise grade based on exercises complete at that time. All exercises are due prior to the Exam. At the Exam on 24 November, a provisional exercise grade will be distributed. After that, all questions about the exercises and the completion of late exercises will be taken up ONLY with the instructor. The TAs will move on to focus exclusively on Projects.
There are four discussion events (D0 - D3) planned, each with specific expectations in the individual assignment. They will consist generally of a lab meeting when students will discuss a range of different examples on a given theme. For some discussion events, all students will be part of a multi person team assigned to cover one source or one "case" of GIS application. Each discussion team will prepare their presentation (overheads, examples, a one or two page "briefing paper" summarizing the group's position/conclusions). This material is due at the discussion event for your section. In other events, there will be an individual essay due at the discussion event. For D1-D3, there is a need for preparation prior to the event.
D0 is ungraded. The D1 and D2 will be graded, each counting
for 5% of the course grade. The material for D3 will be a component
of the project report, with grading integrated in the project.
Students who do not join a discussion team or miss the discussion
meeting will have the opportunity to make up the discussion assignment
by submitting a three-four page essay on the topic covered in
the discussion. This will involve a lot more work. (See instructor
(not TA) for specific arrangements for each discussion event.)
The project is intended to provide a more developed sequence of understanding an application through direct experience. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate your learning of the exercise component of the course. The project is marked by a set of milestones to ensure that things operate smoothly.
A portion of the project is an evaluation of the data sources used by your team. Individuals will pick one source and prepare to present the institutional background in Discussion 3. This element of the project will be graded individually (5% of total grade). The due date is with the final project submission, but the discussion event is a time to present and develop your treatment.
The exam will occur on 24 November with a practical component in the Lab sections of 24/25 November. The exam will cover the material in the text, the exercises, and practical work of the class. There will be a review session on 21 November to answer questions in an open forum. The one-hour exam will cover materials from the lectures and text; it will consist of short answers, definition questions, and some longer questions. This component will comprise about 60% of the exam grade (which is 25% of the course grade). One element of the exam will involve computer work in the Lab. The lab sessions of 24/25 November are allocated for this purpose. Please attend your section, to ensure availability of machines. We expect you to perform the computer-based portion of the exam in the lab section meeting, then to write your answers to the questions (on your own!) by 4:00 PM on 25 November.
Students with schedule conflicts should talk to the instructor as soon as the conflict is known. Thanksgiving travel will not be considered a valid reason unless extreme hardship can be documented.
Grades will reflect overall performance in the course, with the four components (exercises, discussions, project and exam) receiving different weight:
Component Weight Notes Exercises 30% Individual; See above Discussions 10% D1 groups; D2 indiv. Exam 25% Individual Project 35% Group & individual
Grades will be assigned according to the following interpretation:
2.0 minimally adequate
2.5 somewhat better than minimal
3.0 serious engagement with course, adequate performance ("B")
3.5 commendable (A/B)
3.7 meritorious (A-)
4.0 superlative ("A")
There are no quotas on distribution of grades [no fixed mean;
no presumption that all students MUST "pass"; no distributional
"curve"; no upper limit on 4.0 grades]. The instructor
and the TAs want all students to do as well as they can. All calculated
grades of 3.9 will be rounded up to 4.0.