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GEO 241: Geographic Information Systems I
Section 302
Spring 2007
DePaul University
1. Meeting
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Time: Tues. & Thurs. 11:50 AM -1:20 PM
Location: we will meet in GIS Lab (Schmitt Academic Center 224) at all times except
for the first day of class to be held in 990 W Fullerton 2402
2. Instructor
Sungsoon (Julie) Hwang, Ph.D.
 Contact: shwang9@depaul.edu or call (773) 325-8668
 Office: Suite 4513, 990 W Fullerton Pkwy, Lincoln Park Campus
 URL: http://gis.depaul.edu/shwang/
 Office hour: MWF 10a-11p, and by appointment in her office
3. Course Overview
GIS are computerized systems composed of various functionalities designed to work with
geographically referenced data sets. GIS is distinct from other information systems (such as
Management Information System) in that spatial components play a central role. GIS helps us
answer a spatial inquiry (e.g. where is the nearest hospital? how are things geographically
distributed), predict the process of natural and urban environments (e.g. climate change, land
use change), and solve real-world problems (e.g. emergency management, urban planning).
GIS or broadly defined geospatial technology has grown immensely over the past 25 years
into an industry estimated at approximately $30 billion per year. This course presents an
introduction to geospatial technology that will build a strong and broad base for further work
in this area, as well as a well-rounded survey of the field as a whole.
Students’ learning will be evaluated on the basis of exercises, labs, pop quizzes, a test, final
project, and participation. Students are expected to do assigned readings before the class to
fully participate in class discussion. In the class, students will be occasionally engaged in
group activity and exercises, learning GIS through hands-on experience. Lab will provide
students with training in GIS software (ArcGIS 9.2). Familiarity with computer and Windowbased software will be extremely helpful. Four quizzes will be held throughout the quarter. A
comprehensive test will be held at the end of quarter. Finally, students are expected to
complete a final project assigned by an instructor.
Prerequisite: ISP 120 (Quantitative Reasoning)
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4. Text
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Longley et al, 2005, Geographic Information Systems and Science, 2nd Edition, John
Wiley & Sons (ISBN: 0-470-87001-X) – Required
Gorr and Kurland, 2005, GIS Tutorial: Workbook for ArcView 9, ESRI Press (ISBN:
1-58948-127-5) – Recommended (180-day trial ArcGIS CD inside)
5. Learning Goals
At the end of the class, students should be able to answer the following questions:
 What is GIS, and what can we do with GIS?
 How is the world digitally encoded?
 How is location on the Earth’s surface specified?
 What is a map, and how is a map made & designed?
 How are geographic problems analyzed in GIS?
 How is geospatial data collected?
6. Grading Components
Components
Pop quiz
Exercise (individual*)
Lab (work of two)
Test (comprehensive)
Final Project (individual)
Participation
How many
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3
3
1
1
n/a
Breakdown
12 points
11 points
11 points
30 points
26 points
10 points
Late work will be penalized appropriately at the instructor’s discretion. Makeup quizzes and
test can be arranged only when credible dire and documented medical or family situations
arise and these circumstances are communicated in a timely fashion.
6.1 Pop quiz
Quizzes will be held during the class time whenever an instructor finds it necessary. The quiz
was usually held every two weeks given experience from last quarters. The schedule will be
announced in advance. The format of quizzes is the combination of multiple choice, short
answer, and short essay. Each quiz is worth 3 points.
6.2 Exercise
Exercise is in-class activity that allows students to learn GIS through hands-on experience. It
involves some computer work, but with much less intensity than that of lab which is designed
to provide software training. The completed work should be turned in at the end of the class
unless noted otherwise.
 [Ex1] Write an essay on GIS application that interests you. Students will be asked to
choose any area of GIS application among materials on the internet. An essay should
address assigned questions given GIS application of their choice; worth 3 points
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[Ex2] Read coordinates using GPS receivers. Students will go out and collect
coordinates of different locations in Lincoln Park Campus using GPS receivers; worth
3 points – *This will be done in group of two because the number of equipments is
limited
[Ex3] Be an analytical thinker with GIS. Students will learn by themselves to apply
different methods of spatial analysis to answer simple geographic questions. Real data
will be provided in GIS lab. It involves executing different tools available in ArcGIS
to analyzing geographic problems in the real world; worth 5 points
6.3 Lab
With Lab, students will learn GIS software ArcGIS 9.2. For more on this software, visit ESRI
website at http://www.esri.com. GIS software is highly complex in size and functionality.
Many beginners will find it overwhelming to learn the software. We will focus on exploring
data, making maps, and manipulating tabular data in GIS. Students must work in a group of
two, and a group work should be turned in together.
 [Lab1] Familiarize yourself with the user interface, functionality, and file types used in
ArcGIS. Students should have a good understanding of geographic representation (i.e.,
digital encoding of spatial entities) to complete the assignment; worth 3 points.
 [Lab2] Make thematic maps in ArcMap. Students should have a good grasp of
cartographic design principles to complete the assignment; worth 5 points.
 [Lab3] Create a 3 dimensional surface map interpolated from data at sample locations.
Students should have a good understanding of spatial interpolation and thematic
mapping; worth 3 points.
6.4 Test
One comprehensive test will be held on June 5th (last day of the class) during the class hour in
GIS lab. The test will be drawn from all topics covered by the time unless otherwise noted.
The test will be focused on assessing students’ ability to synthesize knowledge, apply
concepts and techniques to real-world problems, and critical thinking skills. Study guide will
be provided before the test.
6.5 Final project
Students will be investigating the environmental pollution in their hometown using real
geospatial data in GIS. Students will create thematic maps that depict the concentration of
toxin in student’s home county. The data comes from Toxic Release Inventory Explorer (TRI)
website managed by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Instructions for preparing
maps required for final project will be given as scheduled. Students should write an essay on
the spatial distribution of toxin in the home county given maps they produced, and what are
learned about GIS from the final project. The report should be turned in through Digital
Dropbox by due date (June 12th 5 PM). Digital dropbox can be found at Tools menu (can be
found on the lower left in the course site) on the Blackboard at https://oll.depaul.edu/.
6.6 Participation
Participation consists of attendance and enthusiasm. Attendance will be monitored through
quizzes or by other means. Students who actively participate in the class can be rewarded
considerably at the discretion of an instructor.
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7. Tentative Schedules
I. What is GIS, and what can we do with GIS?
When: April 3, 5, 10
Reading: Longley (required text) section 1.1-1.5, section 2.1-2.2
Topics:
 What is GIS?
 Three bases for classifying geographic problems
 The sequence of data, information, and knowledge
 Survey of GIS: history, components, and business
 GIS applications
Events:*
 April 3 (Tuesday): Group activity on classifying geographic problems
 April 5 (Thursday): [Ex1] Write an essay on any area of GIS application that interests
you.
 April 10 (Tuesday): [Lab0] Orientation to GIS Lab & Introduction to ArcGIS
*The schedule is only estimation, subject to change. Please monitor how class progresses.
Some event is graded, not to be missed.
II. How is the world digitally encoded?
When: April 12, 17, 19, 24
Reading: Longley section 3.1-3.7, section 8.1- 8.2.3, section 10.1-10.4
Topics:
Geographic representation (chapter 3 and 8)
 What is geographic representation?
 Conceptual Data Model (spatial data model): object versus field
 Logical Data Model (spatial data structure): vector versus raster
Database management (chapter 10)
 Advantage of Database Approach
 Evolution of Database Models
 Relational Database
 Database Normalization
 SQL (Structured Query Language)
Events:
 April 17 (Tuesday): [Lab1] Explore data in ArcGIS
 April 19 (Thursday): Group activity on drawing logical database schema
 April 24 (Tuesday): [Project] Data normalization – this contains the first part of lab
instructions required to complete your final project
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III. How is location on the Earth’s surface specified?
When: April 26, May 1, May 3
Reading: Longley section 5.1-5.4, Kimering chapter 1 (available on the blackboard), Longley
section 5.7
Topics:
 Defining Georeferencing
 Classifying Georeferencing
 Earth Coordinates (Kimering chapter 1)
 Map Projections
 Coordinate Systems
Events:
 May 1 (Tuesday): [Ex2] Read coordinates with GPS receivers.
 May 3 (Thursday): [Project] Geocoding – this contains the second part of lab
instructions required to complete your final project
IV. What is map, and how is map made & designed?
When: May 8, May 10, May 15
Reading: Kimering et al Introduction to map (available on the blackboard), Slocum et al
chapter 4 principles of symbolization (available on the blackboard)
Topics:
 Introduction to map
 Four quantitative thematic mapping techniques
 Choosing mapping techniques
 Choosing map symbols (or visual variables)
 Organizing map elements
Events:
 May 10: Group activity on visual variables with CIA maps
 May 15: [Lab2] Design thematic maps on your own
V. How are geographic problems analyzed in GIS?
When: May 17, May 22, May 24
Reading: Longley section 14.1 – 14.4.4.2
Topics:
 Geographic problems and spatial analysis
 Classifying methods of spatial analysis
 Spatial Overlay
 Buffering
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Spatial Interpolation
Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA)
Events:
 May 22: [Ex3] Be an analytical thinker with GIS.
 May 24: [Lab3] Create a 3-dimensional map
VI. How is geospatial data collected?
When: May 29
Reading: Longley section 9.1 - 9.2
Topics:
 Overview of Data Collection Methods
 Raster data capture: Remote Sensing
 Vector data capture: Ground surveying & Global Positioning System (GPS)
No event is scheduled
Summary of Tentative Schedules by Week
Wk
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Day
3/29
4/3
4/5
4/10
4/12
4/17
4/19
4/24
4/26
5/1
5/3
5/8
5/10
5/15
5/17
5/22
5/24
5/29
5/31
6/5
6/12
Topics
Course overview
Introduction to GIS & GIS Application
Ex1: Write essay on GIS case study
Lab0: Orientation to GIS Lab & Introduction to ArcGIS
Geographic representation
Lab1: Explore data in ArcGIS
Database management
Project: Overview & Data normalization
Georeferencing
Ex2: Read coordinates with GPS receivers
Project: Geocoding
Introduction to map
Principles of map symbolization
Lab2: Design thematic maps
Methods of spatial analysis
Ex3: Be an analytical thinker (spatial analysis)
Lab3: Make 3D maps
Spatial data collection
Project support
Test (meet in GIS lab)
Project due: Turn in a final report by 5pm through digital
Reading*
Syllabus
L1, L2
Handout
Handout
L3, L8
G1
L10
Handout
L5, K1
Handout
Handout
K0
S4
G2,3
L14
Handout
Handout
L9
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dropbox on the Blackboard
*A naming convention of this column: the letter at the first digit refers to a reference (listed
below) and the number after the letter refers to the chapter of the reference. If the reading
comes from sources other than text, it is available in pdf file on the blackboard – course
documents.
References
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[L#] The required text or Longley et al., 2005
[G#] The recommended text or Gorr and Kurland 2005
[K1] Chapter 1: Earth coordinates. In: Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation by
Kimerling et al, 2005, JP Publications, p. 20-32
[K0] Introduction to map. In: Map Use: Reading, Analysis, Interpretation by Kimerling
et al, 2005, JP Publications, p. 2-16
[S4] Chapter 4: Principles of symbolization, In: Thematic Cartography and Geographic
Visualization by Slocum et al, 2005, Pearson Prentice Hall, p. 56-73
8. Miscellanesous
8.1 GIS Lab
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Where: Schmitz Academic Center (SAC) 224
Equipments: 28 workstations (including one in the podium), 1 printer, 1 plotter
Printing policy: Students can print out up to 100 pages upon DePaul ID verification
GIS software installed: ArcGIS 9.2 (the version of ArcGIS is ArcView).
Operation hours: 9-9 M-Th, 9-5 F, and 12-4 Sat/Sun
Access policy: Students can use equipments in GIS lab during operation hours. However,
GIS lab is occasionally occupied by quantitative reasoning class. Therefore, students are
advised to refer to the schedule posted on the door before scheduling the visit for the
sake of time. The schedule is enclosed in Section 8.3 of this document also. When GIS
lab is locked during operation hours, see a staff at Quantitative Reasoning Center (QRC)
located at Schmitt Academic Center 268. The staff will let you in. QRC is operated
during the same hours as a GIS lab.
If you have any technical difficulties in GIS lab (for instance, access to G or X drive,
errors in printing account), please don’t hesitate to let us know. Most of the time
problems will be best addressed by lab manager, Jennifer Galka. Her contact is (773)
325-4663. Her e-mail address is JGALKA1@depaul.edu. Her office is located in QRC
(SAC 268).
8.2 ArcGIS (GIS Software)
 ArcGIS is installed in GIS lab and Quantitative Reasoning Center (SAC 268) ONLY,
meaning that this software is not available elsewhere
 If you would like to run ArcGIS 9.2 in your computer, you can order free 60-day
evaluation copy at http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcview/eval/evalcd.html. The
CD will be delivered to you at no cost. Expect more than two weeks to receive the CD.
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 The recommended text “GIS tutorial” comes with a copy of ArcGIS 9.0 which is good
for 180 days.
8.3 SAC 224 (GIS Lab) Schedule – Spring07
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
9:00 – 10:50
10:50 – 11:50
12:00 – 2:20
2:20 – 3:20
3:30 – 5:00
5:00 – 9:00
Open
Professor Connor
Open
Professor Amezziane
GIS class
Open Mon & Wed
Tuesday/Thursday
8:30 – 10:00
10:10 – 1:20
1:30 – 3:00
3:10 – 4:40
4:40 – 5:45
5:45 – 9
Professor Jacobson
GIS Classes
Professor Markunas
GIS Class
Open
Open Thursday only
Saturday/Sunday: 12-4pm Open
8.4 Grading Scale
Points earned
93-100 points
90-92.99 points
87-89.99 points
83-86.99 points
80-82.99 points
70-79.99 points
60-69.99 points
Letter grade
A
AB+
B
BC
D
9. Academic Integrity
Work done for this course must adhere to the University Academic Integrity Policy, which you
can review in the Student Handbook or by visiting
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/homehandbook.html.
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