Course Syllabus

ENVS 420/520 GIS III: Analysis and modeling

CREDITS: 4                TIME: 2:00-3:50 TR               ROOM: AH 16

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Aquila Flower

OFFICE: AH 202
OFFICE HOURS: MW 2-3
HOW TO CONTACT ME: please use Canvas messages

GIS SPECIALIST: Stefan Freelan, AH 201, Email: stefan@wwu.edu. 650-2949.

TEXT:
No required text. Readings will be distributed on Canvas.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The course will provide a brief reintroduction to GIS followed by an in-depth examination of spatial data formats, spatial data analysis, and geoprocessing. This course assumes each student has a working familiarity with GIS concepts and ArcGIS software equivalent to one quarter of introductory GIS (ENVS 320) plus one quarter of Computer Cartography (ENVS 321). For GIS minors, this course is the starting point for the ENVS 420, 421, 422 series.

DEPARTMENTAL STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Assess human and environmental issues/problems using GIS
• Analyze space, place, landscape, location, and human-environment interactions for the purposes of explanation and prediction using GIS
• Analyze and communicate ideas more effectively in oral, written, and visual forms

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Our classes will typically begin with a 3-minute quiz, followed by lecture during the next 30-60 minutes of each class. Remaining class time will be used for lab exercises. Labs will require additional work outside of our regularly scheduled class period. Expectations for class participation are high. This will include regular attendance for the entire class period, active class participation in discussion (both in class and online), and working effectively with others in the lab.

ASSESSMENT:

My grading system is designed to reflect each student’s mastery of the course material. The grades I assign represent how much of the material you understand, not how hard you worked or your standing relative to other students in the class. An A indicates knowledge beyond the requirements of the course; a B mastery of the material in the course; a C an acceptable level of understanding of most material. The final letter grades will be assigned on a straight percentage: 93% = A, 90% = A-, 87% = B+, 83% = B, 80% = B-, 77% = C+, 73% = C, 70% = C-, >60% = D, <60% = F.

Labs (60%): We will complete six hands-on lab activities. You will have three class periods to complete each lab. Labs are due before the beginning of class on the day listed in the syllabus. During the third class period devoted to each lab, you will bring a draft of one map and complete a peer review of another student’s work. Late labs lose 10% each day they are late, including weekends.

Exams (20%): We will have two 2-hour, open-note, in-class exams designed to test your ability to make quick decisions about the appropriate analysis and visualization techniques to address a specific question. No early or make-up exams will be available.

Quizzes (7.5%): Daily 5-minute quizzes will be given in class, usually before the lecture begins. These quizzes are designed to encourage you to review your notes regularly and stay in the habit of continuously reflecting on the work we do in this class. No make-up quizzes will be offered, but I will drop your two lowest scores.

Map critiques (7.5%): Thoughtful, constructive critiques of your classmates’ maps will be completed for each lab assignment. Late critiques lose 10% each day they are late, including weekends.

Participation (5%): Participation in our online and in-class learning communities. This includes asking and answering questions in class, posting questions and answers on our Canvas discussion board, and sharing interesting GIS-related articles/sites on our class Facebook page. All of the above should be done more than once to insure full marks for your participation grade.

*For students enrolled in ENVS 520, assessment will be similar, but labs will be worth only 50% of your grade, and you will write and deliver a short presentation on a 5 page literature review focused on GIS applications in your area of research (i.e., for your thesis) worth 10% of your grade.

SCHEDULE

A note on expected student attitudes: Using GIS software inevitably involves some unexpected setbacks and glitches. Dealing with these challenges calmly and methodically is a key part of your work in this class. When you encounter a challenge, approach the situation humbly: blame yourself for the problem before you blame instructors, software, or the computer. Be patient, control frustration, and fix the problem (researching where necessary). Come to the instructor when you can't fix the problem. Remain positive and be part of a collective energy that makes Tuesday and Thursday afternoons something to look forward to. It will benefit all of us if we build a supportive community within this class.