Syllabus—Geography 454
Spring 2017
GEOG454: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Description: This course is an introduction to basic Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) concepts, using the ArcGIS-ArcView GIS software program. It
focuses on developing both a theoretical background in the technology and
real-world applications using GIS techniques. Learning objectives will be met
by a combination of reading chapters, lecture notes, labs, quizzes, and an
individual project.
Instructor: Mr. Jim Chelsvig
Email: [email protected]
Expected Outcomes for Student Learning: At the completion of the class, each student should be able to:
A.) At an intermediate level, produce a map that demonstrates cartographic theory and proper
techniques in GIS applications. B.) Transfer data provided for examination and correlation to produce
functional GIS databases. C.) Evaluate outside data to create functional GIS data sets. D.) Demonstrate an
effective and full command of the available GIS analysis techniques.
Course Materials/Textbook: Gina Clemmer, The GIS 20: Essential Skills (2nd Edition). 2013 ISBN: 978-158948-322-4
Grading: Final grades are based upon the total points students receive on quizzes, topics, labs, and
projects. The scale below reflects the method applied to calculate final grades.
1. Quizzes: In this course we will have a three quizzes. The individual quizzes will involve students
demonstrating mastery of stated concepts from the textbook.
2. Weekly Topic: Each week of class, you will be given a topic to research the meaning of or find a related
article or discussion in class. Each class will begin with a brief discussion and lecture. The rest of class is
devoted towards actually using the software and doing geography.
3. Labs: You will be doing weekly labs – ten in total (excluding the last five weeks of class) that will be an
overview of the week’s lecture. The lab work is extremely important for your understanding of GIS
techniques. You will have one week to complete the lab for full credit. Partially completed labs will
receive partial credit. A rubric is provided for each lab activity.
4. Final Exam/Final Project: As we will learn throughout the semester, GIS is about the doing of
geography. This technology is vital and used throughout our workforce in a variety of ways. The last five
weeks of the course will be spent working on a final GIS project. You will find a topic, formulate a
question, develop the methodology, find and evaluate the data, and write a final report. On the day of the
final exam, each student will present his/her results/project. This project will give you the opportunity to
experience true “hands-on” GIS work. Not only will you develop GIS skills, but you will also be able to
use this project as part of your resume/portfolio. Detailed information about the project will be given
later in the semester.
Make-up Test and Labs: There will be make-ups allowed for missed labs and quizzes. You may also
make changes to labs to improve final scores.
“Geography is what geographers do…” Carl Sauer
Syllabus—Geography 454
Spring 2017
Grading Scale:
Student final grades are based upon the total points students receive on test, quizzes, and labs. Final
grades will be based on a 90-80-70-60 scale.
1. Quizzes: Quiz 1: 50 points, Quiz 2: 50 points, Quiz 3: 50 points
150 points total
2. Weekly Topic: 10 topics @ 5 points each
50 points total
3. Labs: 10 labs @ 20 points each
200 points total
4. Final Exam/Final Project:
Project Plan\Topic: 30 points,
Project Proposal: 20 points,
Project Work Log: 140 points (30, 50, 60 points)
Maps & Presentation: 100 points
250 points total
3rd Quarter Points:
8 Labs
160 points (54%)
Quiz One
50 points (17%)
Quiz Two
50 points (17%)
Seven Weekly topics
35 points (12%) (295 total)
4th Quarter Points:
2 Labs
40 points (13.6%)
Quiz Three
50 points (17%)
Three Weekly topics
15 points (5.1%)
Project Plan
30 points (10%)
Project Proposal
20 points (6.8%)
Project Work Log
140 points (47.5%) (295 total)
“Geography is what geographers do…” Carl Sauer
Syllabus—Geography 454
Spring 2017
Student Expectations: Each student is expected to attend class and maintain an appropriate pace for
class completion. If your work seems to be falling behind, you are expected to make arrangements to
catch-up. This will mean more time in the lab. Most students will need extra time outside of the regular
meeting time. Study hall/adv. time will be ideal.
Instructor Expectations: Class will be organized in this manner: Introduction to core concepts with
examples through the use of PowerPoint presentations. Brief discussions will be arranged around this
material and related to your weekly topic assignment. Upon conclusion, students will begin working on
the modules/labs provided. When the modules/labs assigned are completed, a score will be determined
in a timely fashion.
Class Meeting Schedule:
4-13 January: Class introduction. Chapters 1, 2 completed (Lab One). Also, refer to Chapter 20 to apply
using ArcGIS Online. We will also explore ESRI’s online learning website as related to this material.
Esri.com/training
Introduce class, discuss and implement file structure for whole class (both the H and G drives). Carefully
read the text introduction and locate important files. Note the text is posted as a pdf file – and if opened
in Adobe, has several annotations that will prove useful. Begin lessons 1 and 2 and 20. All should be
completed by the end of the week.
17-20 January: Chapters 3, 4 completed (Lab Two). Plus bonus exercises. Weekly Topic: Map Projections
No school on the 16th - Holiday.
23-27 January: Chapters 5, 6 completed (Lab Three).
Weekly Topic: Natural Breaks or Quantile
½ Day on the 25th.
30-3 February: Chapter 7 completed (Lab Four). Quiz One in class. Weekly Topic: Vector Data
6-10 February: Chapter 8, 9, 10 completed (Lab Five). Weekly Topic: Geo-coding
13-17 February: Chapter 11, 12 completed (Lab Six). Weekly Topic: GPS
1 hour early on the 16th, and Parent Teacher Conference on 17th.
20-24 February: Chapter 13, 14 completed (Lab Seven). Weekly Topic: Raster Data
No school on 20th – Holiday.
27-3 March: Chapter 15 completed (Lab Eight). Weekly Topic: Digitizing Quiz Two
½ Day on 1st.
6-10 March: Chapter 16, 17 completed (Lab Nine). Weekly Topic: Queries
13-17 March: Chapter 18, 19 completed (Lab Ten). Weekly Topic: Buffers, Layers, and Layer Packages
“Geography is what geographers do…” Carl Sauer
Syllabus—Geography 454
Spring 2017
20-24 March: Quiz Three in class. Student Project discussions – guidelines discussed. Presentation by
Shawn Artis about community work. Local professionals share actual work ideas. Weekly Topic: Geodatabases.
Spring Break
3-7 April: Student Project Work. Project Plan\Topic: 15 points.
½ Day on the 5th.
10-13 April: Student Project Work. Project Proposal: 20 points. All students must partner with a person
or organization in the community – connected to this project.
No school on the 14th.
18-21 April: Student Project Work. Project Work Log grade: 30 points.
No School on the 17th.
24-28 April: Student Project Work. Project Work Log grade: 50 points.
1-5 May: Student Project Work. Story Map Selection.
½ Day on 3rd.
8-12 May: Student Project Work. Project Work Log grade: 60 points.
Finals. Final Project Presentation/Paper/Maps. Paper & Presentation: 100 points.
“Geography is what geographers do…” Carl Sauer