Department of Forest Resources

SUNY- College of Environmental Science and Forestry

ESF 300 - Introduction To Geospatial Information Technology – Autumn 2008

Class Times: MW 11:40-12:35 pm in room 145 Baker and one of the following:

Monday, 12:45 - 3:45 309 BAKER Section 1

Tuesday 12:30 - 3:30 310 BAKER Section 2

Thursday 4:00 – 7:00 437 BAKER Section 3

Instructor: Professor Myrna H. Hall

Location/Office Hrs: 112 Marshall / Friday 12:30 – 2:30 & by appointment

Email: mhhall@esf.edu

Teaching Assistants: Kimberly McEathron (Section 1)

Location/Office Hrs: 204 Illick / T, Th – 9:30 – 11:30

Email: kmmceath@syr.edu

Ning Sun (Section 2)

Location/Office Hrs: 436 Jahn / 3:30– 5:30 (in the lab); Th 9:30 – 10:30

Email: nsun@syr.edu

Wanjun Peng (Section 3)

Location/Office Hrs: 436 Jahn / T 2:00 – 3:00; W 12:45 – 2:45

Email: pengwanjun@hotmail.com

Required Texts: GIS Fundamentals: A First Textbook on Geographic Information Systems,3^nd edition, Bolstad, Paul V., Eider Press 2008. This book is on reserve at Follett’s Orange Bookstore and at the website http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/00729.htm. Readings from this book are required. There is also a reading in week , 3“ESRI Understanding Map Projections”, that is available as a web link at http://www.esf.edu/es/mhall/links.htm

Required Materials: You must download and print the lab exercises as PDFs from the class website, http://www.esf.edu/es/mhall/ERE296_labs/Lab_Assignments.htm. Throughout the lab sessions you will need to save/backup your work. To do this you will need to purchase a USB Flash Drive to use in the lab. As GIS files can be quite large, you should get a 256MB or larger Flash Drive. Flash drives are available online, at computer stores, and at the University Bookstore.

Other Resources: The class website is http://www.esf.edu/es/mhall/esf_courses.htm where you can download the class description, class schedule, labs and lab data and old exams.

Student Responsibilities:

As a student in Introduction to GIT it is your responsibility to attend the lectures and labs, do the readings, and do assigned homework problems. All material from lectures and readings may appear on the examinations.

If you need any assistive devices, services, or accommodations, due to a disability, please contact the Instructor.

Course Description:

ESF 300 is an introduction to geographical information technology, focusing on spatial data acquisition, development and analysis in the science and management of natural resources. Topics covered include basic data structures, data sources, data collection, data quality, geodesy and map projections, spatial and tabular data analyses, digital elevation data and terrain analyses, cartographic modeling, and cartographic layout. Laboratory exercises provide practical experiences that complement the theory covered in lecture.

Course Goals:
The overall goal of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to understand the uses and limitations of Geographic Information Technology (GIT) for a variety of natural resource and ecological applications in both natural and human-dominated environments.

Objectives:

increase student awareness of GIS science and technology in natural resource management;
introduce fundamental tools used for mapping natural resources;
provide experience in mapping land cover conditions using maps, aerial photographs, satellite images, and navigation-grade GPS technology;
provide experience in digital spatial analysis techniques; and
generate enthusiasm and interest in using GIS for meeting natural resource management needs

Student Outcomes:

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

Define, compare and contrast different types of maps and explain fundamental cartographic principles
Compare and contrast different map projections and coordinate systems used for georeferencing locations on the earth’s surface
Compare and contrast the major characteristics of various sources of remote sensing data available for environmental and natural resource applications, including satellite imagery, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each
Define, compare and contrast raster and vector data structures used in GIS software
Acquire and input georeferenced data from a variety of sources, including maps, digital imagery and navigation-grade GPS, for use in a GIS
Define and explain the sources of error in digital data
Efficiently manage and query both spatial and attribute data within a GIS
Conduct appropriate spatial analyses, using both raster and vector data sources, within a GIS to answer specific natural resource management questions
Produce quality maps which summarize output from simple spatial analysis using appropriate cartographic principles
Work effectively in teams
Demonstrate professionalism

Lab Policies:

The first 20 minutes will be used to provide specific connections between theory covered in the lecture hall with implementation of GIS technologies, and going through lab mechanics. The instructor will remain for the duration of the lab period to answer questions and offer help. Each lab will be introducing new concepts and commands. It is a good idea to read the lab in advance, and review/note new procedures or activities. Note some labs require more than the allotted two-hour period to complete. The computer facility in Baker and Basement, Moon Library are open additional hours for you to complete your labs. If you read the lab handouts in advance of the lab, you are more likely to get your questions answered by the instructor during the lab period.

Registered students will also receive a 1 year evaluation copy of ArcGIS 9.2, which can be installed on a home computer. To complete Labs at home, the data files for the class must be copied/transferred from the lab computers to a memory stick or portable hard drive. The data files for this class are very large (over 2GB). The instructor will try to answer email questions for students who are working at home but this will be only on a time available basis. DO NOT EXPECT IT. The best way to obtain support/help completing the lab is to attend your assigned lab session. If you miss your section and wish to attend another section you may do so only if you wait to determine if a seat will be available at the beginning of the session. You may work on your own computer but help will be given to students enrolled in that section first.

All lab assignments will to be submitted to your TA at the conclusion of the lab session unless otherwise noted. Late labs are docked by 1/3, and labs won't be accepted if they are more than 1 week late. Makeup labs are possible if the instructor has advance notice. If you know you will be having a conflict for a significant event or emergency (wedding, childbirth, surgery), contact the instructor in person BEFORE the event. Labs are to be turned in to your TA only. The final lab practicum may have special requirements for submitting your work; this will be explained before the assignment.

Please note you may work together on labs, but you each must do every part of each lab, and turn in entirely your own work. That means each of you should perform every step indicated in the lab manual. Your grade is for individual effort; copied files/maps from other students will be construed as cheating, at a minimum you’ll get zero for the lab, and you may automatically fail the course.

Course Grading

We will try to grade all exams and labs in a one-week period, for quick turn around. However, this won't happen in all cases. The three exams will each be worth 60 points. Each lab and homework will be worth 15 points, except the final lab, which is worth 30 points. Grading will be on a straight scale, not on a curve. If you all do well, you will all get an A. The scale is:

A 93 – 100 A- 90 – 92.99

B+ 88 – 89.99 B 82 - 87.99 B- 80 – 81.99

C+ 78 – 79.99 C 72 - 77.99 C- 70 – 71.99

D+ 68 – 69.99 D 60 - 67.99 F < 60

ESF 300

Schedule

NOTE: Reading from the required textbook, GIS Fundamentals; A First Textbook on Geographic Information Systems, 3r^d Edition, by Paul Bolstad.

Week

Lecture Topic ---- Monday

Lab Topic, ---Tuesday

Lab Description and Data Link

Required Readings