GIS 303

Skyline College Spring 2003

Instructor: Alan Forsberg.
Office hours: after class or by appointment.
e-mail: anf@uclink.berkeley.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Students will learn more advanced GIS applications and complete a project in an area of their choice. GIS 301 & 302 are recommended but is NOT a prerequisite. Basic computer skills are recommended, but advanced math or computing skills are not necessary to enroll in this course.

COURSE SCHEDULE (below) and this syllabus can be accessed at the following web address:

https://griots.tripod.com/sky/gis303sp03.html

COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the course you should be able to:

TEXT

Reading assignments will be from online sources, and occasional handouts.

HOW THE COURSE IS ORGANIZED

Students in the computer lab will work on projects related to brief lectures on advanced topics in GIS.

PREPARATION AND ASSIGNED WORK

You should complete all exercises in class and projects by the due date. Check the schedule to see if there have been any revisions. Prepare for the class by taking notes and asking questions on topics that you do not understand.

IN-CLASS PROJECTS

Students will work on exercises during each class meeting, and will work on projects during classtime and as homework.

FINAL PRESENTATION

The final presentation of completed projects will be on the last day of class.

ATTENDANCE & CLASS PARTICIPATION

Attendance will be taken daily. Class participation means attending regularly, answering questions in class, asking appropriate questions, contributing to class. You may be dropped if you are absent more than twice without notifying the instructor. However, it is your responsibility if you decide to drop the class. Do not count on me to drop you before the last date for a "W".

COURSE EVALUATION

Two Projects (250 points each)  500 points
 In-class exercises  300 points
 Final Presentation  100 points
 Participation  100 points
 TOTAL POINTS  1000 points

GRADING

The total number of points that you accumulate during the semester will determine your final course grade. Final grades are based on the following percentages of total points:

 A = 900-1000 pts.  B = 800-899 pts.   C = 700-799 pts.  D = at least 600 pts.

COURSE SCHEDULE GIS 303
subject to change
(Last Updated May 15, 2003)
 Week  Date  Subject and GIS links
 1 4/10 Introduction to ArcExplorer 4 - overview

Using ArcExplorer - Java Edition
(to read pdf format)

Ex. 0 - Exploring The History of Cities

Introduction to ArcView
Practicing Map Making with ArcView.
What Is a Good Map?
Elements found on virtually all maps
Cartographic Communication - U. of Colorado, Boulder

Arcview Quickstart Tutorials:
Ex. 1 Make and Print a map of Africa

Homework: Project proposals for 303
Spring Break
 2 4/24 Introduction to ArcView cont'd
Arcview Quickstart Tutorials
Ex. 2: Find the best location for a new showroom
Ex. 3: Find where your best customers are located
 3 5/1 Project 1 - Remote Sensing and counter mapping with the Borneo Project
Ex. 4: Creating and Editing Data in Arcview - A New Line Theme
Project updates
 4 5/8 Work on projects 1 & 2
 5 5/15 Work on individual Project 2
Project 1 - Borneo Mapping due
Extra credit - if you have turned in both projects:
Ex.5 Exploring Dynamic Earth
Ex. 6: GIS in 3-D
 6 5/22 Project 2 Presentations.
How to Effectively Present Geographic Data

Alan's World