Course Syllabus

ENVS 320/597M – GIS I: INTRODUCTION TO GIS

INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Aquila Flower                           CONTACT: please use Canvas messages
OFFICE HOURS: Tu 1:30-2:30, Fr 2:30-3:30        OFFICE: Arntzen Hall 202

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides an introduction to the field of Geographic Information Science (GIS) and ArcGIS software. It includes a combination of theoretical and practical elements, providing both a conceptual understanding of and hands-on experience with the analysis and visualization of geospatial data.

This class serves as a stand-alone introduction to GIS and ArcGIS and also provides the foundation for the ongoing WWU ENVS-321/420/421 course series and the GIS Minor and Certificate.

PREREQUISITES:

ENVS-320 has no official prerequisites. However, basic computer literacy is essential and statistical experience is helpful. Students unfamiliar with the Windows operating system (including Windows Explorer), email, Canvas, and the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word) are strongly encouraged to seek outside tutorial assistance (Student Tech Center 650-4300) immediately.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

This course contributes to the following Huxley Student Learning Outcomes. After completing this course, students will be able to use GIS to:

• Assess human and environmental issues/problems (GEOG SLO 5)
• Analyze space, place, landscape, location, and human-environment interactions for the purposes of explanation and prediction (GEOG SLO 4)
• Analyze and communicate ideas effectively in oral, written, and visual forms (ENVS SLO 6)

COURSE STRUCTURE:

ENVS-320 is divided into two separate sections. Both sections meet at 10 am for the first hour (LECTURE) of class. The second hour (LAB) is held in AH-16. Each section will have a dedicated TA for the second hour. Prompt, regular attendance for both the Lecture and Lab portions of the class is mandatory.

Expectations for class participation are high. This includes regular attendance, active participation in class discussions, effective collaboration with others in the lab, and using our Canvas discussion forum to ask and answer questions.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS: 
Essentials of Geographic Information Systems will serve as our primary text. This is a free digital textbook and will be distributed along with other readings via Canvas.

ArcGIS Pro (ESRI) - Available in AH-05, AH-16 (the Spatial Analysis Lab), AH-14, and many of the main campus Windows computer labs. Free evaluation copies of ArcGIS are available for installing on your personal computer: https://huxley.wwu.edu/sal/arcgis-pro-wwu

Phone or tablet for quizzes. Free alternatives are available for loan at ATUS if you do not have a phone or tablet. You must bring this to class every day. No accommodation will be made if you forget your device.

Lecture slides will be posted on Canvas following each lecture. Lab assignments will be distributed via Canvas.

RECOMMENDED COURSE MATERIALS:

Dedicated Lab book for taking notes from lectures and lab assignments (i.e., a lab book for just this class with only one subject in it: GIS).

Portable storage device (USB drive or other storage device). Online data storage options will also be discussed in class.

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 and have mastered, not how hard you worked or your standing relative to other students in the class. 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. 

LAB ASSIGNMENTS [56%]: 8 hands-on lab assignments. Labs will draw from the class readings and in-class lectures and demonstrations. Content of the labs is cumulative. All assignments are due at 9 am. Late lab assignments lose 10% per day.  

DAILY QUIZZES [7%]: Daily quizzes will be given using clicker technology. These quizzes will draw on our readings, lectures, and labs. 1 point will be awarded for answering each question, and 1 additional point will be awarded for correctly answering the question. No make-up opportunities will be given for quizzes, but I will drop your two lowest daily scores.

MIDTERM EXAM [7%]: In-class written exam during lecture period. This will be an open-note exam designed to test your conceptual GIS skills. No late exams will be accepted and no make-up exams will be offered unless arranged in advance.

FINAL EXAM [10%]: A hands-on, practical exam involving a combination of written answers and “live” GIS analysis. This will be an open-note, open-internet exam designed to test your practical and conceptual GIS skills. No late exams will be accepted and no make-up exams will be offered unless arranged in advance.

FINAL PROJECT [20%]: An advanced analysis project involving multiple deliverables including a report, a geoprocessing model, and multiple maps.

For ENVS 597M, assessment will be modified as follows:

LAB ASSIGNMENTS [48%], DAILY QUIZZES [7%], MIDTERM EXAM [7%], FINAL EXAM [10%], FINAL PROJECT [15%],

ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORT [10%]: an original research project on a topic closely related to your thesis. This will involve a literature review to provide context (minimum 5 articles) and at least 2 original maps displaying data you have obtained, processed, analyzed, and symbolized.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH PRESENTATION [3%]: a brief (7 minute) in-class presentation on your literature review and original research results.

SCHEDULE