CSS 420
Modern Geographic Information Systems
Fall 2007
CSS 420
Modern Geographic Information Systems
Fall 2007
Description
This course is intended for undergraduate and graduate students who have the desire to understand the basic concepts underlying modern geographic information science and technology. Emphasis is placed on the principles of GIS for characterizing environmental systems and computer-based techniques for processing and analyzing spatial data. Map understanding, database design and development, data transformations, spatial analysis, map accuracy assessment, and data visualization are considered. Issues related to needs assessment, collaborative spatial decision making, and implementation of GIS within organizations are discussed.
Course Objectives
Instructors
Dr. William StitelerCourse Web site: http://www.css.cornell.edu/courses/420/css420.html
Expectations and Responsibilities
Students are expected to have a basic knowledge of computer systems and data processing methods using both Windows XP or similar windows-based systems and command line operations similar to that found in older DOS-based 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. A working knowledge of Word, Excel, and Powerpoint is helpful.
A major responsibility of the instructors is to promote an active learning environment in the course which requires instructors and students to be motivated, participatory, and communicative. Lecture assignments, laboratory quizzes, and exams are designed to be conducted independently. Instructors and students are expected to adhere to Cornell University's code of academic integrity (http://cuinfo.cornell.edu/Academic/AIC.html).
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) or an online bookseller such as amazon.com. 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).
Assignments and Grading
| Lab Exercises | 40% (50% undergrad) |
| Laboratory Quizzes | 10% |
| Exams* | 40% |
| Programming (grad only ) | 10% |
* 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
Lecture Schedule T, R 9:05 - 9:55 145 WN Fall 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.
| Week | Day | Date | Topic | Readings / Assignments |
| General Introduction | ||||
| 1 | R | 23 Aug | Course Objectives and Overview | Bolstad: chapter 1 |
| Modern GIS Concepts | ||||
| 2 | T | 27 Aug | Modern Geographic Data Types | Bolstad: chapter 2 |
| R | 30 Aug | GIS Framework - Coordinate Systems and Datums | Bolstad: chapter 3 | |
| Modern Concepts in Database Design and Development | ||||
| 3 | T | 4 Sep | Traditional vs. Modern GIS Architectures. Treating Geography as a Database Element | Bolstad: Chapter 2, 4 |
| R | 6 Sep | Database Design & Development I - data storage strategies, designing the database | Bolstad: Chapter 8 | |
| 4 | T | 11 Sep | Preprocessing, Projections, and Coordinate Transformations | Bolstad: Chapter 4 |
| R | 14 Sep | Computers and GIS | ||
| Working with Geospatial Data | ||||
| 5 | T | 18 Sep | Finding and using data from geospatial repositories and online services | Bolstad: Chapter 7 |
| R | 20 Sep | Vector GIS operations | Bolstad: Chapter 9 | |
| 6 | T | 25 Sep | Raster GIS operations | Bolstad: Chapter 10 |
| R | 27 Sep | Programming and GIS | ||
| 7 | T | 2 Oct | Geocoding and Network Analysis | Bolstad: Chapter 11 |
| R | 4 Oct | Prelim Review | ||
| 8 | T | 9 Oct | Fall Break | |
| R | 11 Oct | Prelim #1 | ||
| Analysis with GIS | ||||
| 9 | T | 16 Oct | Spatial Modeling and Analysis | Bolstad: Chapter 13 |
| R | 18 Oct | Surfaces | ||
| 10 | T | 23 Oct | Spatial Interpolation | Bolstad: Chapter 12 |
| R | 25 Oct | Spatial Interpolation and Clusters | ||
| The Results of Spatial Analysis | ||||
| 11 | T | 30 Oct | Managing Error in Spatial Data | Bolstad: Chapter 14 |
| R | 1 Nov | Presenting Spatial Data - Metadata and Cartography | ||
| 12 | T | 6 Nov | Presenting Spatial Data - Cartographic Techniques | |
| Special GIS Tools | ||||
| R | 8 Nov | GIS Technology | Bolstad: Chapter 5 | |
| 13 | T | 13 Nov | Internet GIS | |
| R | 15 Nov | Prelim Review | Bolstad: Chapter 15 | |
| 14 | T | 20 Nov | Prelim #2 | |
| R | 22 Nov | Thanksgiving Recess | ||
| 15 | T | 27 Nov | Data Mining and Novel Modeling | |
| R | 29 Nov | GIS Applications. Course Evaluation | ||
CSS 420 Laboratory Schedule M,W,R,F 1:25 - 4:25, T 10:10 - 1:10 108 BF Fall 2007
| Week | Date | Topic |
| 2 | 27 Aug | Introduction to Lab and Project Resources |
| 3 | 3 Sep | Project Design, Coordinate Systems, Map Preparation |
| 4 | 10 Sep | Map Digitizing and Editing |
| 5 | 17 Sep | Map Digitizing and Editing |
| 6 | 24 Sep | Practice with Grids, Coverages, and Shapefiles |
| 7 | 1 Oct | Working with Soil Geographic Databases and Multi-Resolution Land Characterization (MRLC) Data |
| 8 | 8 Oct | Open Lab, 10-12 Oct
Lab Closed, 8-9 Oct |
| 9 | 15 Oct | Spatial Analysis of Ecological Land Types |
| 10 | 22 Oct | Spatial Analysis of Ecological Land Types |
| 11 | 29 Oct | Spatial Interpolation Using Geostatistics |
| 12 | 6 Nov | Map Layout and Production |
| 13 | 12 Nov | Final project |
| 14 | 19 Nov | Open Lab 19-21 Nov
Lab Closed 22-25 Nov |
| 15 | 26 Nov | 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, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 10a-1p on Tuesdays, 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
Antenucci, J.C., K. Brown, P.L. Croswell, M.J. Kevany, and H. Archer. 1991. Geographic Information Systems: A Guide to the Technology. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York. 301p.
Aronoff, S. 1989. Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective. WDL Publishers, Ottawa.
Bernhardsen. T. 1999. Geographic Information Systems. 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons. New York. 496p.
Burrough, P.A. and R.A. McDonnell. 1998. Principles of Geographical Information Systems. Oxford University Press. 333p.
Clarke, K.C. 1998. Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems. Prentice Hall. 368 p.
DeMers, M.N. 1997. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 486p.
Goodchild, M.F., L.T. Steyaert, B.O. parks, C. Johnston, D. Maidment, M. Crane, and S. Glendinning (ed.) 1996. GIS and Environmental Modeling: Progress and Research Issues. GIS World Books. Fort Collins, Colorado. 486p.
Goodchild, M.F. (ed.) 1989. The Accuracy of Spatial Databases. Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 350p.
Haines-Young, R., D.R. Green and S. Cousins (ed.) 1993. Landscape Ecology and Geographic Information Systems. Taylor & Francis. New York. 288p.
Heit, M. and A. Shortreid. 1991. GIS Applications in Natural Resources. GIS World, Inc., Fort Collins, Colorado. 381p.
Hearnshaw, H.M. and D.J. Unwin. 1994. Visualization in Geographical Information Systems. John Wiley & Sons. New York. 243p.
Hurn, J. 1993. GPS: A Guide to the Utility. Trimble Navigation, Ltd. Sunnyvale, California. 76p.
Hurn, J. 1995. Differential GPS Explained. Trimble Navigation, Ltd. 55p. Sunnyvale, California. 55p.
Maguire, D., M.F. Goodchild, and D.W. Rhind. 1991. Geographical Information Systems: Principles and Applications. Longman Scientific and Technical and John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1096p.
Martin, D. 1996. Geographic Information Systems: Socio-economic Applications. Routledge. New York. 210p.
Mather, P.M. (ed.) 1993. Geographical Information Handling: Research and Applications. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Chichester, England. 343p. (ISBN 0-471-94060-7)
Muehrcke, P.C. and J.O. Muehrcke. 1992. Map Use: Reading, Analysis, and Interpretation. JP Publications. Madison, Wisconsin. 631p.
Peuquet, D.J. and D.F. Marble. 1990. Introductory Readings in Geographic Information Systems. Taylor & Francis, New York. 371p.
Petersen, G.W., J.C. Bell, K. McSweeney, G.A. Nielsen, and P.C. Robert. 1995. Geographic Information Systems in Agronomy. Advances in Agronomy 5:68-111.
Raper, J. 1989. Three-Dimensional Applications in GIS. Taylor & Francis, New York. 189p.
Sample, V.A. (ed.) 1994. Remote Sensing and GIS in Ecosystem Management. Island Press. Washington, DC. 369p.
Scholten, H.J. and J.C.H. Stillwell. 1990. Geographical Information Systems for Urban and Regional Planning. Kluwer Academic Publishers. Boston. 261p.
Snyder, J.P. 1987. Map Projections: A Working Manual. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper #1395. 383p.
Star, J. and J. Estes. 1990. Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Tomlin, C.D. 1990. Geographic Information Systems and Cartographic Modeling. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.