CSS 411
Resource Inventory Methods
Spring 2008
CSS 411
Resource Inventory Methods
Spring 2008
Description
The course will focus on environmental resource inventory methods using several spatial analysis tools. Inventory methods will include topographic map interpretation, aerial photo interpretation, photo-to-map transfer techniques, analog to digital conversion of inventory data, classification of digital imagery, field acquisition of map coordinate data, map accuracy assessment, and construction of cartographic products from digital databases.
The course is designed to be a very practical, hands-on experience with topographic maps, medium-scale color-infrared aerial photographs, coordinate digitizers, multi-spectral satellite images, navigation-grade global positioning system (GPS) instruments, and elementary spatial analysis and map production software.
The course is intended to better prepare students for courses offered in geographic information systems (CSS 420), spatial modeling and analysis (CSS 620), fundamentals of remote sensing (CEE 610), and digital image processing (CEE 615). Students who have completed CSS 420 are permitted to enroll in this course
Course Objectives
Instructors
Dr. William StitelerCourse Web site: http://www.css.cornell.edu/courses/411/css411.html
Expectations and Responsibilities
Students
are expected to have basic mathematical skills and some experience with
computers and word processing and spreadsheet programs. Students should be able
to communicate to instructors using electronic mail, and to access and search
the Internet for data and information relevant to the course. The goal of the
instructors is to promote an active learning environment in the course which
requires instructors and students to be motivated, participatory, and
communicative. Assignments, projects, and exams are designed to be conducted
independently. Instructors and students are expected to adhere to
Class Text
Bolstad, P. 2005. GIS Fundamentals, volume 2. Atlas Books, Inc. You may order the book through AtlasPress (http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/00729.htm), an online bookseller such as amazon.com, or buy the book at the campus bookstore. You may also visit Dr. Bolstad's website to get .pdf versions of the first couple of chapters until your book arrives (http://www.paulbolstad.net/gisbook.html).
Term Project
The purpose of the term project is to provide experience in processing and analyzing maps, aerial photographs, digital images, GPS, and field data. The project will be limited in scope and serve to reinforce each element of the resource inventory process. The project will focus on creating, assessing the accuracy, and estimating the cost of producing a land cover map for an area to be specified. The mapping project is limited in scope, and designed for completion during the scheduled laboratory section for the course.
A term project report is required. The report will consist of a Powerpoint presentation due on May 5, and will focus on your land cover map, statistical summaries, and estimated costs of conducting the project. Examples of previous presentations in Powerpoint format are available for review.
Assignments and Grading
| Lab Exercises | 30% |
| Exams* | 40% |
| Project Report | 30% |
* There will be 3 exams, 2 prelims and a final, all weighted equally, with the exam grade determined based on the top two exams.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are encouraged to see the instructor in order that course materials may be updated appropriately to better foster the teaching and learning experience.
Schedule
CSS 411 Lecture Schedule M,W 9:05 - 9:55 110 BF Spring 2007
Powerpoint lectures will be provided here shortly before each lecture as a note-taking aid. Note that what is in these slides is only a portion of what is discussed in class, and should not take the place of class attendance and participation.
CSS 411 Laboratory Schedule M,R 1:25 - 4:25, 108 BF Spring 2007
| Week | Date | Topic |
| 1 | 21, 24 Jan | Lab & Web Familiarization; Map Acquisition |
| 2 | 28, 31 Jan | Basic Map Measurements & Interpretation |
| 3 | 4, 7 Feb | Photo Mission Planning |
| 4 | 11, 14 Feb | Interpretation of Aerial Photographs |
| 5 | 18, 21 Feb | Interpretation of Aerial Photographs |
| 6 | 25, 28 Feb | Photo-to-Map Transfer |
| 7 | 3, 6 Mar | Map Digitizing |
| 8 | 10, 13 Mar | Map Digitizing & Editing |
| 9 | 17, 20 Mar | Spring Break |
| 10 | 24, 27 Mar | Spatial Analysis |
| 11 | 31 Mar, 3 Apr | Mapping from Digital Images |
| 12 | 7, 10 Apr | Field Observations and Measurements |
| 13 | 14, 17 Apr | Map Accuracy Assessment |
| 14 | 21, 24 Apr | Map Production and Report Preparation |
| 15 | 28 Apr, 1 May | Project Presentations |
Computing Resources
All laboratory sections will be held in the Bradfield Computer Classroom, Room 108 Bradfield Hall. The classroom is accessible to students enrolled in the course from 1:00p to 5:00p on scheduled lab days, or as posted in the course schedule. Bradfield Hall is a secured building after 8p. Students are not expected to work in the laboratory during evenings, weekends, or holidays. Assignments are designed to be completed during the normal laboratory period and during open lab periods as posted in the course schedule. Students who need extra time in the laboratory must submit a request to one of the instructors so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Other Resources
Avery, T.E. and G.L. Berlin. 1992. Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and Airphoto Interpretation. Prentice Hall,
Kennedy, M. 1996. The Global Positioning System and GIS.
Ann Arbor Press, Inc.
Muehrcke,
P.C. and J.O. Muehrcke. 1992. Map Use:
Philipson, W.R. (ed.). 1997. Manual of Photographic
Interpretation. 2nd Edition. Am.
Soc. Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing. 689 p.
Snyder, J.P. 1987. Map Projections: A Working Manual.
Journals (Engineering Library, Carpenter Hall)
Cartography and Geographic Information Systems. American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM).
Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing. American Society for Photogrammetry and
Remote Sensing. 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite
210, Bethesda, MD 208142160. (301) 493-0290, (301) 493-0208 fax. Monthly.
Surveying and Land Information Systems Journal.
American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM).
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD
20814-2122. (301) 493-0200.
Professional Societies
American Congress of Surveying and Mapping (ACSM) 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100, Bethesda, MD 20814-2122. (301) 493-0200, (301) 493-8245 fax.
American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 210, Bethesda, MD 208142160. (301) 493-0290, (301) 493-0208 fax. asprs@asprs.org
Term Project
CSS 411
Spring 2007
Your environmental consulting firm has been hired by a local land development company to produce a land cover inventory and map for a land parcel the company plans to purchase. The boundaries of the land parcel are from 42o 25' 05.00" to 42o 27' 15.00" north latitude, and from 76o 22' 30.00" to 76o 26' 48.00" west longitude, North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27).
The company plans to submit their bid for the property on Monday, May 14, 2005. They request that you prepare a presentation to the company’s board of directors using Powerpoint by May 5, 2006. The length of the presentation will be 15 minutes with additional time allowed for discussion. The presentation is to include the map of land cover for the parcel, associated inventory data, a map accuracy assessment, and the itemized and total cost for your services, including subcontracts.
Your office is located at 110 Bradfield Hall, and your firm's conference room is located at 108 Bradfield Hall. Due to an excessive workload and commitments to other responsibilities, you can spend no more than 10 hours per week on the project until May. The conference room is only available from 9-10a on Mondays and Wednesdays, and you can work in your office only on Monday or Thursday afternoons between 1p and 6p.
Your office has supplies and a computer with most of the software and access to electronic networks required to conduct the project. You may have to sub-contract some of the analysis and map production to a local firm located at 108 Bradfield Hall. Since your firm is new, you have hired consultants to help you with the project.
Project Timeline:
|
Task |
Deadline |
|
Access topographic maps |
24 January |
|
Land parcel description |
4 February |
|
Mission planning |
11 February |
|
Aerial photo acquisition |
18 February |
|
Aerial photo interpretation |
25 February |
|
Photo-to-map transfer |
3 March |
|
Map digitizing |
10 March |
|
Map analysis |
31 March |
|
Mapping from digital images |
17 April |
|
GPS familiarization |
14 April |
|
Field data collection |
21 April |
|
Data processing & analysis |
30 April |
|
Map production & Report preparation |
30 April |
|
Report presentation |
30 April |