Rec 4320
GIS Management for Recreation Professionals
Spring 2007
Syllabus
Thursday 5-8 pm
Location: Engineering 204
Instructors:
Ken Gilbertson
Email: kgilbert@d.umn.edu
John Geissler
Email: geiss020@d.umn.edu
Phone: 218-721-3731 (BLELC)
Phone: 218-726-6258 (wk)
Goal: To provide hands on experience with Arcview GIS software as a means of understanding and
applying GIS management in a recreation setting.
Students will learn:
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Basic principles of GIS (both Arcview 3.3 & ArcGIS 9.2)
o Fundamentals of file organization
o Arcview, ArcMap, & ArcCatalogue
Vocabulary common to GIS
Principles of mapping –
o Scale
o Projection
Data types
o Spatial Data
o Tabular Data
o Image Data
Data Models
o Vector
o Raster
Working with Arcview
o Views
o Tables
o Charts
o Layouts
Creating and managing data in Arcview
o Digitizing
o GPS Data Collection
o Importing Database Information
Grading:
Quizes: 20 points - (10/quiz)
Projects: 80 points - (40/project)
Final Project: 100 points
A = 92%
A- = 90%
B+ = 87%
B = 82%
B- = 80%
C+ = 77%
C = 72%
C- = 70%
D+ = 67%
D = 62%
D- = 60%
Class attendance is mandatory, and any unexcused absence will result in a drop of one grade.
Schedule:
Date
Topic
DNR GIS Course
January 18
25
Class Overview & Expectations
Introduction to GIS and ArcView
GPS: Waypoints & downloading (Earlier
class meeting to be determined)
ArcView & ArcGIS Basic Training:
Sections 1 and 2
Introduction to GPS
February 1
Themes and Theme Symbology
8
Theme Attributes, Legend Symbology,
Text & Labels
ArcView & ArcGIS Basic Training:
Sections 3 and 4
ArcView & ArcGIS Basic Training:
Sections 5 – 7
Sections 8-10
Text and Labels
15
Attribute Tables and Metadata
Hotlinks: Queries
Quiz #1
Images and Photos
Layouts
22
March 1
8
15
22
Project #1 due
Presentation and Critiques
NO CLASS – Spring Break
Quiz #2
Where to get data:
DataDeli; USGS; State DNR’s
29
How to transfer projects & data
April 5
Practice
12
Quiz #3;
Work on Final Project
Project #2 due
19
26
May 3
10
ArcView & ArcGIS Basic Training:
Sections 10-12
Creating and Managing Spatial Data:
Section 5
Creating and Managing Spatial Data:
Section 6
Creating and Managing Spatial Data:
Section 7
Introduction to GPS
Presentation and Critiques
ArcIMS examples: DuluthStreams.org;
DNR’s Recreation Compass; Oregon Coastal
Atlas; NRRI Lynx project; NRRI Coastal
GIS
ArcIMS example – find one to share
w/class
Final Exam - Written
*In addition to the class time, we may have one outdoor lab on a weekend day.
Course Materials:
There is no textbook for the class. Lectures will be developed around the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources online ArcView tutorial located at:
http://thoreau.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/Training/WebHelp/Training.htm
The class will require students to spend additional time in the computer lab to complete projects,
therefore students are expected to pay Computer Lab Full Access fees for the Spring term. In
addition, students will need to have a method for storing files. You are required to purchase a “Flash
Drive” (1 GB). This can be purchased at the UMD bookstore.
Class Expectations:
We will not accept any late work.
During class time, you are expected to be working on class material; no email or web surfing.
Project Criteria:
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Utilize appropriate reference points (roads, buildings, trails, contours, campus, city, state)
Use Photos and Images
Emphasize the message of the map (avoid dead space)
Optimize scale (reduce the scale as much as possible)
Include scale (1:24,000) on your map
Font: Keep type and size appropriate to the purpose, audience, and intended message.
Title the project in appropriate context (avoid “UMD” vs.
X-C ski Trails
Bagley Nature Area
University of Minnesota Duluth
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Color matters. Strive for universal map colors and symbols
Cite the author correctly (put your name on it!)
Notes for 2007:
 Put more emphasis on note-taking
 Give each person a topic on how to perform an Arcview function and have them present it to
the class in a written format.
 Projects: BNA – In-depth mapping of vegetation (assign plots)
 Extra-credit – Bayview School forest