GEOG 419: ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Dean Fairbanks, 527 Butte Hall, x5780, dhfairbanks@csuchico.edu
Office hours: M 1-4pm, W 3-5pm; or by appointment.
Course Time: Lecture MW, 12-12:50 pm, Butte 501
Activity W, 1-2:50 pm., Butte 501
Course Description: will take students beyond the development of geographic mapping technology that simply answers
the question, "Where is it?" to integrated systems that help us answer the question, "Why is it?" Designed as the "sequel"
to the introductory course in GIS (GEOG 319), this course will cover topics that you either briefly covered or probably
didn't have time to cover in GEOG 319 while broadening the base of GIS theory, technical issues, and applications
established in that introductory course. Weekly discussion of the latest developments published in the GIS/geography
literature and/or on the WWW will reinforce this and foster an appreciation of GIS as an effective analytical tool for
understanding complex spatial processes.
Course Objectives: to critically examine geographic information systems and science— its methods, principles and
current directions. This class will concentrate on the fundamentals of GIScience with a strong emphasis on advanced
techniques in GIS application. Course material will range from intermediate to advanced level and will involve use of
statistics and script programming.
Course Prerequisites: Only students who have previously taken GEOG 319 and GEOG 315 (or equivalents) will be
allowed to take this course. Passing both of those courses with a minimum of a C is strongly encouraged, or this course
will be especially challenging. Students should have a strong understanding of the MS WINDOWS system, network
operations, Excel, and working in statistical and numerical environments.
Course Requirements: Lecture attendance, laboratory exercises, term project poster-presentation and paper, one
midterm, and a final.
Course Grade: Laboratory exercises 30%, term project poster presentation and report 40%, and exams 30%.
Course Texts:
Geographic Information Science and Systems. Longley, B., Goodchild, M., et al. 2010. 3rd Edition.
CODE= L
Modeling Our World – The ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Concepts. Zeiler, M. 2010. 2nd edition.
CODE= Z
Python Scripting for ArcGIS. Zandbergen, P.A. 2013.
CODE = PZ
Week*
Lecture Schedule*
Jan
22
Introduction
27, 29
Representations: object vs. field
Feb
3,5
Chapters in
Texts*
L: 1
Labs *
L: 3
1
Nature of Geographic Data, Relational Database Model, Data
Modeling
L: 4,8,10
2
10,12
Entity-relationship model, Standard Query Model, Database design
L: 4,8,10
17,19
Arc/Info Coverage model, Shapefiles, and Topology
24,26
Object Oriented Data Modeling, Geodatabase Models
3
L: 8; Z: 1,3
4
Geodatabase Models contd.; Networks and Rasters
Z: 7,8,4,5
5
Locator Based Services, Geosemantics-Finding data, WebGIS
L: 11; Z: 6
UML, Primitive modeling elements
Mar
3,5
10,12
SPRING BREAK
24,26
April
2
7,9
14,16
21,23
28,30
May
5,7
MIDTERM EXAM, Spatial Query and Analysis
6
L: 14
Spatial Query and Analysis
Spatial Query and Analysis
Spatial Query and Analysis
Dynamic Modeling in GIS, Temporal GIS
Spatial Error, Accuracy, and Uncertainty, “Honest” GIS?
L: 15
L: 16
7
8
L: 13; Z: 9
L: 6
9
GIS and Society; The Future; Term Project Poster Presentations
FINALS
WEEK
Final Exam
*Note: Schedule subject to change without advanced notice given by lecturer.
Week*
January
22
29
Activity Schedule*
Chapters in Text*
Review ArcGIS Online, introduce ArcGIS Server, learn how
web map services are used in various containers, publish a
service
Assign topics for container projects, introduce flexviewer and
java script, build sample flexviewer from template, then work on
individual flexviewer projects
Online text
Complete flexviewer projects, convert to java script and
ArcGISOnline, create storymap and mobile app from flexviewer
project datasets
Critique student projects
Introduction to Python and Geoprocessing
Python fundamentals
Online text
Online text
February
5
12
19
26
Z: 11; PZ: 1, 2
PZ: 3, 4
March
5
ArcPy and more Python fundamentals, debugging/error
PZ: 5, 6, 11
12
Using cursors and SQL in Python
SPRING WEEK
More cursors and database access
26
PZ: 11
PZ: 11
April
2
9
16
23
30
Python and geometry
Working with Rasters
Map scripting
Python functions and classes
Creating custom scripts
PZ: 8
PZ: 9
PZ: 10
PZ: 12
PZ: 13
May
7
Final Poster presentations
Lab Exercises: All lab exercises will be due at the beginning of class one or two weeks (TBA) after they are assigned.
NO LATE WORK ACCEPTED. I will consider tardiness if a a bona fide illness and doctors note is forthcoming.
Paper/Poster/Presentation: Pairs of students will present a poster of a GIS analysis term project with accompanying
paper report, unless you are a graduate student, then you are on your own. More details with instructions on this later in
the semester.
Attendance policy: Attendance is expected at every class and laboratory meeting. There is information presented in
lecture and laboratory that is not necessarily covered directly in the text. I understand, however, that personal things
happen during any semester that may keep you from class. Therefore, everyone is granted one excused absence. Any
additional unexcused absences will affect your final grade.
COURSE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The university allows a student to withdraw from a course through the Portal system during the first two weeks of class only.
The instructor's signature is required for withdrawal during the third and fourth weeks. After the fourth week students will
need a documented, serious and compelling reason as defined in the University catalog to withdraw from the class. Poor
performance is NOT a serious or compelling reason.
An incomplete grade is given only if a student is forced by some serious and compelling circumstance to miss an assignment
or exam near the end of the semester. It is not given because a student is unable or unwilling to keep pace with the
requirements of the course. This grade will only be given in the context of a contract in which the student and the instructor
agree on what is missing and when it is due. Makeup exams are available only in case of serious and compelling
circumstance, or with prior agreement of the instructor.
During class time you should NOT be using the computer to check your email, FaceBook, or YouTube. Nor should
you be playing solitaire or booking airline tickets for your next vacation. You may be asked to leave class if this policy
is not heeded.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS
 Be sure to make backup copies of your work.
 Do not leave copies of your work on the classroom or lab computers.
 Start assignments early – they almost always take longer to complete than you expect.
Blackboard
We will be using the Blackboard resource provided by the University for communication and student records. You will be
able to trace your own progress, link to addresses I provide, and access the syllabus, assignments, lecture notes, online quizzes,
and any class announcements through this system.
Course Etiquette: Minor requests: Please, turn off cell phones in lecture and lab to avoid disruption. Please do not eat in
lecture or lab (we’re ALL hungry!). Please do not bring drinks in glass bottles into lecture or lab.
What I expect:
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You will regularly attend class,
You will arrive in class on time,
You will not leave class until the class period is complete,
You will come prepared for class – this means that you have completed the required readings and assignments
prior to class,
You will pay attention during class - this means that you will not talk to other students during class unless the
conversation is about a class topic and then is not disruptive to the other students,
You will not do other work or other tasks not related to the class during the class,
You will not use computers, PDA’s, cell phones or other devices for non-class work during class,
o For example, this means that you will not surf the Internet, play computer games or send emails not
related to the class during class,
You will respect your classmates by being a productive, not disruptive, member of the class.
Disability Support Services: If you have a documented disability that may require reasonable accommodations, please
contact Disability Support Services (DSS) for coordination of your academic accommodations. The DSS phone number is
898-5959 or FAX 898-4411. Visit the DSS website at <http://www.csuchico.edu/dss/>.
Statement on Academic Honesty: Academic misconduct (as defined in the current California State University, Chico
catalogue, pg 47, 635) will not be tolerated. Students are encouraged to discuss course materials inside and outside the
classroom. However, all written lab material submitted by students must be their own work exclusively. No answers to
questions cribbed from other students, other classes or the Internet. The highest standards of honesty are expected when
taking exams: no sneaking, peeking or cheat sheeting. If you have any questions about what constitutes academic
dishonesty, or the consequences of academic misconduct, consult the current university catalogue, the Office of Student
Judicial Affairs (Kendall 110), or ask me.