Course Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Jeff Widener
Associate Professor, Director of Center for Spatial AnalysisDepartment of Geography and Environmental SustainabilityAreas of Interests and Expertise Awards and Achievements Phone: (405) 325-5325 Email: jwidener@ou.edu Live Session day/time: Every Wednesday, see times below. (Zoom link): https://zoom.us/j/4168540813 |
GIS 5013-997: Fundamentals of GIS
Spring 2019: CRN 39347
Department of Geography and Environmental Sustainability
OU Course Catalog Description
Designed to help students learn introductory to intermediate concepts of geographic information science (GIScience) and become proficient users of geographic information systems (GIS). The course covers a variety of topics but focuses on GIS data models, data structures, and spatial analysis. Teaching formats include lectures, in-class exercises and lab exercises.
Jeff’s Description
I designed this course to introduce you, via scholarly literature, popular literature, videos, podcasts, hands-on projects and modules, and, with luck, lively class discussion boards, to learn the skills and the importance of spatial thinking through the power of mapping. Job opportunities in the geospatial realm are projected to grow by 35 percent and add over $1.6 trillion to the US economy over the next decade. So, you’re making a wise decision to take this class, which will help you in developing the skills needed for a career that utilizes geospatial information, spatial analysis, and maps as communitication tools. You’ll also learn how to collaborate with peers, all the while having, I hope, a fun and copacetic educational experience.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Recognize terminology associated with geospatial technologies, in particular GIS;
- Develop stronger spatial thinking skills and be able to apply your reasonings to “on the ground” realities and/or possibilities;
- Navigate and perform fundamental processes in at least three different desktop GIS programs;
- Acquire geospatial data from a variety of sources;
- Manipulate, populate, and create geospatial data;
- Design a map from start to finish that communicates information efficiently and effectively;
- Work collaboratively on GIS projects;
- And appreciate careers that utilize geospatial technologies for better understanding coupled human and natural systems.
Course Format
I have designed this course so that you’ll get your hands dirty with GIS, mapping, and spatial thinking. This is not a typical lecture course. Instead, I will hold my lecturing to a minimum, so that you can engage in more hands-on modules/exercises during class. I believe that the only way for you to achieve competency in GIS is through active participation with the tehnologies that many industries, governments, and non-profits use. Ergo, happy GISing!
Late Work
Assignments that you turn in late will be docked five (5) points per day until you receive a zero. If you have a medical condition/emergency or an excused absence, I will need to receive correspondence or documentation before the class meeting or before the assignment is due. Otherwise, I will dock points regardless of the situation.
Live Sessions
Each will I will offer two Live Sessions. You may choose to attend whichever fits your schedule. During the Live Sessions, I will be available to answer any questions you may have over the course content, assignments, etc. You are not required to attend and attendance WILL NOT be counted towards your final grade. The Live Session day/times are:
Every Wednesday from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central Time Zone)
Every Wednesday from 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm (Central Time Zone)
Classroom Etiquette
Decorum
Follow the Golden Rule! That is, treat your classmates and your professor as you would want to be treated. I will not tolerate offensive remarks and poor attitudes in our online environment. If unacceptable behavior does occur, I will follow disciplinary action according to University guidelines.
Plagiarism
Plagiarizing means stealing another person’s work and trying to pass it off as your own. Neither the University nor I tolerate plagiarism. More information on this topic is on our Canvas page: “Nine Things You Should Already Know about Plagiarism.” If you need further clarification, please feel free to come to me. If you ignore these rules and turn in something that you have plagiarized, you will receive an F for the course; as well, the University will likely discipline you.
REQUIRED MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY – Estimated Cost: Depends!
Your textbook material is an open accessed textbook that can be accessed using the permalink on Canvas.
ArcGIS Desktop
ArcMap is a Windows based program. If you are a Mac user, you will need some sort of virtual machine that allows you to install Windows, Microsoft Office, and ArcGIS; otherwise, you’ll need access to a PC. I personally suggest Parallels, despite its cost. Open source programs also exist.
Please keep in mind, that I cannot assist you with computer needs. This is your responsibility.
QGIS
QGIS is an open source, desktop GIS program. We will complete 2-3 labs in this suite. It works on Macs and PCs – though some of the functions are different.
Google Earth Pro
Google Earth Pro is now freely available to all users. We will complete 1 lab using the desktop version of Google Earth Pro. It also works on Macs and PCs – though some of the functions are different.
Access to a computer with internet, ArcGIS 10.5 (or greater), QGIS, and Google Earth
Flash Drive or electronic Dropbox for saving work
Course Requirements
Final Project and Paper (125)
You will have one individual term project. In this project, you will choose a specific theme to map and analyze. The theme should pique your interest. You’ll showcase your maps and explain your cartographic steps in your paper. More in-depth instructions are to follow.
Midterm (150 Points Possible)
You will take one midterm exam. It will consist of questions—multiple choice and short answer—from your readings, lecture notes, and modules. A portion of the midterm will be an applied mapping module, requiring you to recall data gathering skills and mapping skills.
In the Field (50 Points Possible)
This assignment will be made up of two parts: the first part will require you to search for jobs that you might be interested in applying for that prefer some sort of geospatial technology skillset. You’ll write a short briefing note about the job. The second part will be to research what GIS methods employees/researchers use in this type of job. You’ll make a short presentation on your findings.
Labs/Modules (200 Points Possible)
You’ll complete 10 mapping labs. Each will help you develop skills in spatial reasoning and computer mapping.
Please review the tentative schedule.
Grading
Number of Each Total
Midterm 1 150 pts 150
Labs/Modules 10 20 pts 200
In the Field 1 50 pts 50
Final Project Maps and Paper 1 75/50 pts 125
Total Points 525
Scale:
A= 525-470** points
B= 469-418 points
C= 417-365
D= 364-313
F= 312-
**NOTE: 470 of 525= 89.5%, and rounded up, I count that as an A. That is the only rounding that I do. Your points will be available on Canvas, so you will know what your grade is. Do not email me asking me to raise your grade after the final or asking about extra credit opportunities. If you want an A, begin earning it from day one of the course, not as an afterthought!
Expectation of Workload
Regents’ policy recommends that for each hour in class a student should spend two to three hours studying.
ACCOMMODATIONS
ADA Statement: The University of Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should notify their instructor and their TA during the first two weeks of class. As well, the student needs to make arrangements by contacting OU’s Disability Resource Center at 325-3852.
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
ACADEMIC POLICIES AND STUDENT SUPPORT
Catalog
Please familiarize yourself with the student catalog: http://catalog.ou.edu/courses/courses.htm
Online Library
Students in the MAcc program can use the University of Oklahoma library by visiting:
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and is contained in the Student’s Guide to Academic Integrity, available at http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
Go to http://integrity.ou.edu/students_guide.html to learn more about the rules for avoiding plagiarism. Test your skills in avoiding plagiarism by taking the library’s plagiarism tutorial, available at https://libraries.ou.edu/content/academic-integrity-tutorial
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or visit the Disability Resource Center and other disability services at OU at: http://drc.ou.edu/
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Please see www.ou.edu/content/eoo/faqs/pregnancy-faqs.html for commonly asked questions.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24.7, counseling services, mutual no contact orders, scheduling adjustments and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates 405-615-0013 (24.7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the course work without doing the required paperwork your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of Admissions and Records or online at http://www.ou.edu/admissions/home/academic_calendar.html
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
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