Summer 2022 - GEOG 255 D100
Geographical Information Science I (3)
Class Number: 1822
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
May 10 – Jun 27, 2022: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Shivanand Balram
sbalram1@sfu.ca
1 778 782-2003
Office: RCB 6143
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Prerequisites:
GEOG 100 or 111 or permission of instructor.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
A basic overview of Geographical Information Systems and Science; GIS software, hardware, data structures and models; spatial data, operations and algorithms; practical applications and limitations. Students with credit for GEOG 354 may not take this course for further credit. Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Course Description:
A basic overview of Geographical Information Systems and Science; GIS software, hardware, data structures and models; spatial data, operations and algorithms; practical applications and limitations. Geographic information systems (GIS) and science (GIScience) addresses important issues about the collection, description, mapping, visualization, and analysis of geographically referenced data. This course will introduce students to the technical differences between GIS and GIScience, the tools and methods that enable their effective use, and an introduction to using spatial data management and analysis software. The course also contributes to the development of practical skills that will be of immense value in workplace settings that deal with environmental and resources management, urban planning, crime analysis, and government socio-spatial services among others.
Course Organization:
This is an intersession course so the lecture sessions will be 4 hours (2 hrs x 2 days) per week for 7 weeks. The lectures will be done in-person in the classroom to give insights into the methods related to GIS and GIScience. The readings will enhance and extend understanding of the materials presented in the lectures.
This is an intersession course so the lab sessions will be 4 hours (2 hrs x 2 days) per week for 7 weeks. The labs will be done in-person in a computer laboratory to provide practical skills in GIS and GIScience. Industry standard software will be freely available for your use in the computer laboratory. The emphasis will be on the mapping, transformation, and analysis of vector spatial data.
Format:
In-Person delivery for both the lectures and computer labs. The course begins in the first week of the term.
Summer 2022 courses will be delivered in person based on information available at the time of publishing the outline; please note the delivery mode is subject to change following Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and/or SFU recommendations and orders.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- Understand the special advantages of geographic data and information
- Explain, critically evaluate and practically apply GIS and GIScience concepts
- Demonstrate competence in using software tools for GIS-based analysis
- Creatively design and implement GIS analysis projects for real-world problem-solving
Grading
- Participation 5%
- Assignments 40%
- Project 25%
- Final Exam 30%
NOTES:
The contents are subject to minor changes depending on the number of students and available resources.
REQUIREMENTS:
Requirements for In-Person Learning:
For work outside the computer laboratory: Modern Windows or Mac computer and reliable internet connection.
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
(For lab work - you need to access a copy for use during the weekly computer lab sessions):
- Law, M. and Collins, A. (2021). Getting to Know ArcGIS for Desktop. 6th Ed.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity web site 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
TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2022
Teaching at SFU in summer 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction. Some courses may be offered through alternative methods (remote, online, blended), and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.
Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required. You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote, online, or blended courses study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.
Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the summer 2022 term.