Syllabus
ASM 540: Geographic Information System Applications
Fall 2012; 3 credits
Class: Monday and Wednesday 10:30-11:20, ABE 106A
Lab: Wednesday 3:30-5:20, Food Science/Nelson NLSN 1195
Instructors:
Office Email
Tel.
Office Hours
Dr. Jane
ABE
frankenb@purdue.edu 41194 Monday-Wednesday 11:30 (after
Frankenberger 208A
class), or by appointment
Larry Theller
ABE theller@ecn.purdue.edu 45954 By appointment
209
Feng Yu
FNR feng.yu.1@purdue.edu NA
Monday 1:30-3; Wednesday 3:30-5
212A
(in lab);
Best way to ask questions: Post them at http://giscourse.pbworks.com
Course description
This course will cover fundamentals of GIS analysis applied to environmental, agricultural, and
engineering-related problems. You will learn to use ESRI’s ArcGIS software, and also key
fundamentals of using geographic information systems (GIS) that are applicable beyond ArcGIS.
At the end of the course we expect you to be an informed GIS user, as well as being reasonably
competent using ArcGIS 10. Topics include data sources, projections, spatial analysis, creating
data and metadata, and conceptualizing and solving spatial problems using GIS. GIS is a
powerful tool and most students find it to be interesting and enjoyable, although it takes time and
effort. If you put in the time (which is considerable) you will have success in this course and in
using GIS in the future.
Course learning objectives
Our goal is that after completing this course you will:
1. Understand the fundamentals of spatial analysis and geographic information systems,
2. Be able to apply spatial analysis in a GIS to solve real-world problems, particularly
environmental, agricultural and engineering problems,
3. Be able to effectively use ArcGIS10, a major GIS software tool, for spatial analysis,
4. Be able to make informed judgments about the suitability of spatial data and analyses for a
particular application,
5. Have enhanced problem-solving and communication skills, and
6. Be able to learn independently in the future about GIS, ArcGIS, and other GIS software.
Instructional activities
Learning to use GIS competently involves both fundamental understanding and familiarity with
the specific GIS, in this case ArcGIS 10. We expect you to take responsibility for learning
ArcGIS, primarily through an online course and a series of videos, although we will be there to
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support and add to your learning. Class lectures and discussions will focus more on the use of
GIS to solve problems, rather than specifics of ArcGIS software (i.e., which button to push).

Class will focus on GIS concepts, methods, data, and analysis. It will include both lectures
and interactive discussions, in which you are expected to participate. We will also bring in
speakers that have used GIS for class projects or professionally. Course participation is one
component of the course grade, and attendance is expected throughout the semester. Five inclass quizzes will be given, based on readings, learning modules, and class activities.

Lab is Wednesday 3:30-5:20 in NLSN 1195 (an ITAP lab), but because ArcGIS 10 runs
quite slowly in the lab, attendance is not required except for days in which quizzes or
presentations will take place. The lab is the preferred time to get help from the TAs. Two lab
quizzes will help to assess your progress in learning GIS techniques.

Assignments will be hands-on activities, mostly with ArcGIS, that build on the online ESRI
courses and add analyses that you need to complete on your own. They will generally be due
every two weeks. The assignments may include responses to reading assignments as well as
work to be done in lab or on your own. Each assignment should be typed and include
assignment number and your name. Try not to use more paper than needed (for example, do
not include a cover page), but all maps and other images must be readable at the scale you
turn them in.

Learning the ArcGIS 10 software will primarily be through the ESRI online “Virtual
Campus” courses, a series of Flash videos we have prepared for the course, and additional
online sources. This learning needs to take place outside of the classroom, in lab and/or in
approximately six additional hours per week that you spend on the ESRI online course and
assignments.

A final project will provide an opportunity to explore in-depth spatial questions using GIS,
either through the class project or a topic of interest to you. If you have a project defined by
your research, with all data in your possession by October 30, you may propose to use that
for your final project. Otherwise, you will work on a project following course guidelines. A
progress report will be due before the final report. The final project will include an oral
presentation, short written report, and the electronic data and analysis.
Course prerequisites
There are no specific prerequisites, but this course will be difficult without strong computer
skills. You are expected to be able to perform computer tasks including (1) developing and
maintaining a folder structure that allows you to access content and (2) regular backing up of
your important files, (3) manipulating files and programs from the Web, (4) creating
presentations using Power Point, and other skills.
Course texts and preparation for quizzes
There is no assigned text, but you are expected to read regularly outside of class. Study questions
will usually be given for quizzes, for which you are responsible for finding and becoming
familiar with the answers. Some assignments may require reflection and the use of material that
has not been covered in class. Appropriate and useful GIS information can be found in several
sources:
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•
•
•
•
Some of the information is in the ESRI Virtual Campus courses, and/or ArcGIS help.
GIS Fundamentals, by Paul Bolstad (http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/pbolstad), has been used
in the past. It is not required this year.
Many online sources have excellent information on the topics we will cover. For example,
Wikipedia is usually a reliable source of information for these technical topics. However it is
a good idea to check a second source. Online sources from universities and government
agencies are often good information sources.
Other GIS books and web sites will have similar information and you are encouraged to
identify and use what is helpful to you.
Course email list
We will use a course email list to notify you of any announcements or changes to the schedule.
Students registered for the course will be subscribed to the email list. Email through the list will
be from fall2011-asm-54000-002@lists.purdue.edu.
Course Web sites
The class Web site is http://engineering.purdue.edu/~asm540. However, we will mainly use two
sites, described below, for regular interaction.
Course wiki: We will also use a wiki, http://giscourse.pbworks.com/, where course information
can be shared by students and instructors. Access is private, meaning that only people we invite
can view what is there. Ways we will use it include:
 Introductions so we can get to know each other. All students are required to post an
introductory message by August 26. Describe your department, your reasons for taking the
course, any background you might have in GIS, and any other information that helps us get
to know you. You are encouraged to add a small photo. (Instructions are on the wiki.)
 Ask questions and get answers about GIS or the assignments. The “Questions and Answers”
page has a table where questions can be posted on the left, and ideas or responses on the
right. You are encouraged to respond to the questions of others, and certainly to look there
before asking a question.
 Sign up for presentation or meeting times with instructors (as needed).
Ideas for other uses by groups or individuals in the course are welcome.
Blackboard Learn (http://mycourses.purdue.edu): Grades will be posted in Blackboard Learn
(not Blackboard Vista). You can check your grades there a few days after assignments are
handed back. We do not anticipate using Blackboard Learn for other purposes, but may
experiment over the semester.
Getting help with ArcGIS
It is almost inevitable that you will run into problems with ArcGIS that seem difficult to solve.
Finding ways to solve them yourself is an important part of becoming competent in GIS.
Therefore we recommend the following steps when you need help:
1. First, try the ESRI online help at http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/. This is
an excellent site where many of your questions can be answered.
2. Learn to use the built-in help tools in ArcGIS 10.
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3. Post your question to the course wiki, http://giscourse.pbworks.com/. One of your fellow
students may have a suggestion and if not, Larry Theller will probably answer.
4. Email Larry Theller at theller@purdue.edu. This is especially appropriate if your question is
about the assignment or specific problems with the ArcGIS setup in our lab. He may post the
answer to the wiki.
If you have questions about grades, schedule, policies, or other course-related issues, email Dr.
Frankenberger at frankenb@purdue.edu.
Final project
The final project will be a group project that solve or a project related to your research or strong
interest. Groups of two or three are preferred, although not required if you have your own
project. Teams and topics will be due Nov. 1, and a progress report will be due Nov 15. Oral
presentations will be given the last week of class. The final project report and geodatabase is due
Tuesday, Dec. 14, the second day of finals week.
Course instructors
Dr. Jane Frankenberger is a Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and
Extension Agricultural Engineer. She leads numerous extension and research projects related to
watershed management, often using GIS-based tools for more effective land management to
protect water quality. (http://engineering.purdue.edu/~frankenb).
Meeting with me: Office hours are after class Monday and Wednesday (11:30-12:30). The
worst time to find me is before class. I am easily available at other times with a prior
appointment. My schedule is very irregular, so you can be most sure of finding me by emailing
to schedule a meeting. (A schedule request through Outlook Calendar is appreciated.) As a
faculty member with a primary responsibility in Extension throughout the state, I often travel and
am juggling many responsibilities. During 2012, I am also on partial leave as Science Advisor
for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, making it more difficult to be available
for GIS questions. At times, I may be able to talk with you in my office at the spur of the
moment outside of office hours, but often I cannot. When you try to meet with me in the
moments before class starts, I generally cannot give your question or issue the attention it
deserves. It is better if you make an appointment to discuss your concern or to send me an email.
Mr. Larry Theller is a GIS Specialist, with expertise in the most current versions of ArcGIS.
He works on many outside-funded research and extension projects using GIS to address land use
and water concerns. For this course, he takes the lead in instruction about ArcGIS 10. If you have
questions, your first strategy should be to post the question to the wiki. If your question has not
been answered during lab or through the blog, you can email Larry directly at
theller@purdue.edu.
Mr. Feng Yu is the Teaching Assistant for this course, who is in charge of grading assignments
and quizzes and maintaining records of your grades. He is a graduate student in Forestry and
Natural Resources, and took the course in 2011. Meeting with Feng Yu: Feng will be available
during lab 3:30-5:20 each Wednesday, and also 1:30-3 on Monday. If your question has not
been answered during lab or through the blog, you can email Feng at feng.yu.1@purdue.edu.
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Course policies
Late work: Assignments are due at the beginning of class, usually on Wednesday. (Dates are
noted at the top of each assignment). Many assignments will take longer than you think, and we
strongly encourage you to start early, and plan to work on the most difficult parts during lab
times when Larry Theller or Feng Yu are available for questions. Late assignments that are
turned in at the beginning of the next class will be penalized 2 points. If turned in more than one
week late, 50% will be automatically deducted from your score.
Quizzes: There are seven quizzes, including five in class and two in lab covering ArcGIS
techniques. The lab quizzes will be based on GIS techniques that you learned in the ESRI
modules or the assignments. If you have a good reason for missing a quiz, please contact me by
email in advance to work out a time to make it up.
Working alone: You are welcome to discuss assignments and help each other figure things out.
However, all students are expected to complete and write up their own assignments.
Course attendance. Attendance is required. Class sessions are interactive, and you are expected
to be prepared to discuss assigned questions, and additional questions that do not require
preparation. Short exercises will be turned in from time to time without prior notification. We
will start on time and end on time, so please plan to be ready to learn at 10:30. See me if you
have a commitment that prevents you being on time.
The scheduled lab periods are the main times you should expect to get help from Feng Yu or
Larry Theller. Because he works on many research projects with tight deadlines, he is not
available to answer questions as they arise, but he will always be available to answer questions in
Lab.
Basis for grading
Points
Grading ( 200 points total )
Assignments 1-8 (1, 7: 10 points each; 2 through 6: 15 points each; 8: 5 points)
100
Quizzes (7 quizzes with 5 points each – 5 in class and 2 in lab)
35
Participation (in class and on the wiki)
20
Completion of online ESRI course (turn in with Assignment 4)
5
Final project and final report/geodatabase/pdf (40 points)
40
Total
200
Grades will be assigned as follows:
93-100%
A
80-83%
90-93%
A77-80%
87-90%
B+
73-77%
83-87%
B
70-73%
BC+
C
C-
67-70%
63-67%
60-63%
<60%
D+
D
D
F
The participation points will be assessed in various ways. We will often have in-class group
discussions, and it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure your group comes up with answers.
Answers may be oral or written. I will also keep track of participation in the wiki and from time
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to time in class oral discussions. Occasionally I will ask a short question at the end of class
which will be turned in. While the answers will not be graded, it provides a record of who was
absent.
Emergencies: If the fire alarm is activated as a result of a fire or explosion, the building must be
evacuated immediately. Proceed to the nearest stairway, then to the nearest building exit doors
and finally to the Emergency Assembly Area which is located on the Agricultural Mall directly
in the front (north side) of the Food Science Building. Building occupants are required by law to
evacuate the building when the fire alarm sounds. In the event of a tornado or the sounding of the
county tornado sirens, all ABE occupants should proceed to room 106A or 106B (main floor
south of the hallway where the coke machines are located). This procedure may also be necessary if
there are other emergencies that make it unsafe to be outside, such as release of a harmful or irritating gas
outside of the building.
In the event of a major campus emergency, course requirements, deadlines and grading
percentages are subject to changes that may be necessitated by a revised semester calendar or
other circumstances. We will send information through the course email list to announce any
changes.
If you need an accommodation for any type of physical or learning disability, please set up a time to meet
with Dr. Frankenberger to discuss what modifications are necessary.
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