Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Assistant
TA Lab Help Session
My Teaching Assistant this semester is Name who will be available to answer questions regarding the lab/project assignments via email and during the live Zoom session on Monday 5:00-7:00 PM (central). Her office hours are by appointment.
Additional Assistance
For technical assistance (i.e. software access, installation, computer troubleshooting) please reach out to OU IT.
Course Details
This course is 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, enabled by the ESRI software package. Teaching formats include video lectures, zoom Live Sessions, lab exercises, and practical projects. For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to enrolling in this course. It is expected that students have general knowledge and familiarity with personal computers, computer terminology, files and directories, and the Windows operating system. A background in geography and/or computer science may be advantageous.
Course Materials
There is no required textbook for this course. Instead, two optional texts are listed below for purchase at the discretion of the student. Other readings and software download information will be provided through the RESOURCES: Course Materials page.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Lab Assignments | Practical application to re-enforce the theoretical materials you learn in lecture | 500 |
| Projects | Assess a student’s working knowledge of both the theory and practice in GIS towards solving spatial problems | 300 |
| GIS Literature Review | Familiarize with pertinent literature in GIS | 100 |
| Course Participation | Demonstrate active involvement with the course materials consistently throughout the semester | 100 |
| Total | 1000 |
Scale
Grades will be assigned using the following grading scale based on percentage. Note, I will not round grades for any reason so please do not ask. It is not fair to the students who legitimately earned the same grade. I do, however, factor in a course participation grade that accounts for up to 100 points (10%) of the final grade. The grading scale is as follows:
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Lab Assignments
There will be a number of lab exercises assigned throughout the semester. Labs will re-enforce the theoretical materials you learn in lectures each week in an applied setting. Generally, they will make use of ArcGIS or other open-source software. Labs will be administered, generally once a week, with varying due dates. These due dates are based on the length of each assignment and will be noted on Canvas. While your instructor expects each student to utilize the week efficiently to complete each lab exercise, your TA will hold two help sessions each week to guide you through the assignments should you need assistance.
Projects
To assess a student’s working knowledge of both the theory (terminology, concepts, analysis) and practice (use of ArcGIS software, spatial reasoning and problem-solving) of GIS, there will be a practical project at the end of each module. The purpose of each project is for students to demonstrate their comprehension of fundamental GIS concepts and terminology in a practical setting. The project format will be detailed in an associated handout found on the modules page and should be turned into Canvas.
GIS Literature Review
As graduate students, it is important to familiarize yourself with pertinent literature in GIS. A short literature review assignment will introduce you to the major journals used in GIS and start you on a path towards reviewing relevant literature in GIS. Further details will follow, but the literature review is designed to be very narrow in scope, tailored to GIS-based journals, and completed in a relatively short period of time.
Course Participation
Remaining actively involved in the course consistently throughout the semester is the key to success in this course. I do not require "perfect attendance" as I understand sometimes "life happens" however I do expect students to engage with the materials on a regular basis. For example, active students may participate through posting meaningful questions on the Discussion Boards, attending Live Sessions with the Instructor and/or TA, consistently engage with the lecture videos.
Course Policies
Communication
While I do not have a campus phone number, I do check email and discussion boards regularly throughout the week, and try to respond within 48 hours M-F. While I am generally unavailable over the weekends, I'm available to chat "in person" over zoom after the Live Session on Wednesdays. In the event I need to communicate with the class outside of our live sessions, I will post an announcement to the course Canvas page, including a weekly "to do" announcement outlining the materials each week.
Late Policy
In this course, there is an absolute due date for completing each of your lab assignments which will be indicated on Canvas. The reason for this is that each lab conceptually builds on previous labs, so it is important that students do not fall behind the schedule. If you do, you may find it hard to catch up. As such, late lab assignments will incur a 20% reduction in points for each day late; after that, no late labs be accepted after the assigned due date. Labs must be submitted on time and to the correct dropbox to be considered for grading. In the event of an emergency, contact me as soon as possible and we will work towards a solution on a case-by-case basis.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. 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.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report 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.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
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 your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|