Fall 2022 - GEOG 355 D100

Geographical Information Science II (4)

Class Number: 2896

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Thu, 4:30–6:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 19, 2022
    Mon, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Shivanand Balram
    sbalram1@sfu.ca
    1 778 782-2003
    Office: RCB 6143
    Office Hours: TBA
  • Prerequisites:

    GEOG 255.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of technical components of GIS. Topics include spatial representations, generalization and data management; computational algebra and set theory; digital surfaces and terrain models. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Geographical Information Systems and Science (GIS) integrate a unique mixture of geography principles, computer science and mathematics. This course will examine both the geographical and technical components of GIS covering the range from spatial representation to matrix algebra. The emphasis will be on raster data representation, analysis and applications. Students will learn about geographic representation, data input and quality, data structures, storage and analysis, digital terrain models, visualization and cognition, scale and generalization, and geographic objects with uncertain boundaries. Examples will reinforce these concepts and enable students to better understand the concepts.

Course Organization:
There will be one 2-hours lecture per week. The lectures will be done in-person in the classroom and students will learn about geographic analysis methods and techniques. There will be a strong emphasis on problem-based and interactive learning. The readings will enhance and extend understanding of the materials presented in the class lectures, and facilitate more meaningful participation during the classroom discussions.

There will be one 2-hours lab session per week. The guided computer lab sessions will use spatial data sets and analysis to reinforce the theoretical concepts and methods presented in the class lectures. Industry standard software will be freely available for your use in the computer laboratory. These labs will allow students to apply the methods to a variety of data and problem contexts within geography.

Format:
In-Person delivery for both the lectures and computer labs. The course begins in the first week of the term.

Notes:
This course may be applied towards the GIS Certificate Program.
The contents are subject to changes depending on the number of students, available resources and circumstances.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of raster-based GIS principles
- Understand how to combine raster spatial data for geographic analysis
- Develop competence in using software tools for geographic analysis
- Creatively design and implement GIS analysis projects for real-world problem solving

Grading

  • Participation 5%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Assignments 30%
  • Project 25%
  • Final Exam 30%

NOTES:

The final marks are absolute and NOT scaled or assigned based on a curve.

REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements for In-Person Learning:
For work outside the computer laboratory: Modern Windows or Mac computer and reliable internet connection.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Specific supporting materials will be made available during the course.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html