Course Syllabus

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This course provides an introduction to the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ArcGIS. As such, it includes both theoretical and practical elements, providing both a general understanding of the subject and hands-on experience with ArcGIS desktop software.  The course culminates in a final project involving both analysis and display of spatial information. The focus of the course is class participation in the lecture hall and hands-on work with the software in the lab. Reading assignments are moderate.

Class participation in the lecture hall includes regular attendance (extremely important), regular quzzes, and participatiion in class discussion. Hands-on lab work includes completion of lab assignments, consistent practice of computer software techniques, self-motivation to troubleshoot your own problems before seeking the help of others, and the ability to work effectively with others in the lab. 

ENVS-320 (and GIS in general) requires careful attention to data management (storage, archiving, etc.). Basic computer literacy is essential and, though not a pre-requisite, statistical experience is helpful (as are computer graphics, spreadsheet and/or database experience). Students unfamiliar with (at the very least) the Windows operating system (including Windows Explorer), email and the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word) are strongly encouraged to seek outside tutorial assistance (Student Tech Center 650-4300) at their earliest opportunity. (See Unofficial Pre-Reqs). 

Note that while this class serves as a stand-alone introduction to GIS and ArcGIS, it also provides the foundation for the ongoing WWU ENVS-321/420/421/422 course series and the GIS Minor.

 

Specific topics covered include:

  • GIS Applications & Overview
    • The possibilities & limitations of GIS
  • ESRI’s ArcGIS software
    • Query, analysis and display of spatial data
  • The relationship of tabular and spatial data
  • Cartographic fundamentals
  • Database & project management
  • Types of spatial data available
  • Sources  of spatial data
  • Exposure to advanced GIS concepts and techniques
    • Geoprocessing
    • Building Geoprocessing Workflow Models with Model Builder

 

 CLASS  FORMAT

ENVS-320 meets in AH-16 for the first hour (LECTURE). The second hour (LAB) is held in AH-16 as well. The class will have a dedicated TA for the second hour. Prompt, regular attendance for both the Lecture and Lab portions of the class are expected.

 

 READINGS  &  MATERIALS

There is not a required textbook. Instead, COURSE READINGS will be assigned from a variety of online and/or on-reserve materials. Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop, Second Edition by Tim Ormsby, et. al. is recommended as a supplement to the course (providing a hard copy resource to refer to both during this course and later), but will not have any assigned readings.

 

See also the various digital books and tutorials from ESRI, WWU, and other sources through the Huxley Spatial Lab's Online Resources. Many of the downloadable resources are.pdf ‘books’ published by ESRI and come with ArcGIS. Selected readings will be assigned (or recommended) from these, and other, materials. Students are encouraged to not print (or to selectively print) these documents. Reference books are also available for checkout from Stefan Freelan in Room AH-201. 

 

ESRI’s Virtual Campus

Learning ArcGIS Desktop - This on-line course from the ESRI Virtual Campus (registration for the Virtual Campus is free to WWU students) will be made available to all students as a resource for the class (see notes on using the Virtual Campus). Readings and some exercises from this Virtual Campus course will be required (in lieu of a primary textbook). Quizzes from the Virtual Campus are optional (recommended). Data for  Learning ArcGIS Desktop  is available from:J:\GEO\GEO_data\ESRI_data\Virtual_Campus

 

Lecture Materials

Various PowerPoint presentations and demo files will also be made available to supplement the labs. These will be stored in our ENVS 320 Canvas Course Management System.  You will be able to download them from the Files tab in Canvas.

 

Recommended Course Materials (purchased items)

  • Recommended: 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). 

    Students are encouraged to maintain a dedicated (i.e. only one subject) lab book. In addition to reading and class notes (see Note Taking tips and Lab Book Examples) this lab book can be used for Virtual Campus Exercises and general Procedural notes with regard to using ArcGIS. As part of the Final Project students will be REQUIRED to maintain a project log of their activities. This can be included in your class lab book if you wish, or maintained as a separate document.


    Suggested Lab Book Sections:

     

    1. Reading, Lecture & Virtual Campus notes
    2. Notes on Virtual Campus Lab Exercises
    3. Notes on ENVS-320 Lab Exercises (non-Virtual Campus)
    4. Procedure Notes (aside from a specific exercise, i.e., how to buffer, export, clip features, etc.)
    5. Notes on the Final Project (will be handed in)

     

    Note that you will be required to keep and turn in a notebook for the Final Project.

    Your lab book and/or your general class notes will be available to you for all quizzes and the final (hint hint).

     

  • Optional: Portable storage device (USB drive or other storage device). For most students, with proper data management, the U:\ drive should be adequate for the data storage needs of this class. CD's and DVD's are a good way to archive projects (or classes) at the end of the quarter but are not recommended as a means of day-to-day storage.

 

Software

  ArcGIS 10.1 (ESRI) - Available in AH-05, AH-16 (the Spatial Analysis Lab), AH-14, and many of the main campus Windows computer labs.

 Evaluation copies of the ArcGIS software are available for installing on your personal computer (the bigger, faster and the more RAM the better).    See  See the Instructor for an installation CD.

 

LAB ASSIGNMENTS  &  FINAL  PROJECT:

A progressive set of Lab Assignments (roughly one per week plus the Final Project) will introduce and reinforce the concepts and skills of GIS and spatial analysis. Labs will draw from the class readings, the Virtual Campus and in-class lectures and demonstrations. Content of the labs is cumulative. All assignments are due the beginning of class. Late lab assignments lose 15%. All Late Lab Assignments are due by 4:00 pm on the last day of the quarter (Dead Week). Late Final Projects will not be accepted.

 

The only exceptions for late assignments or Final Projects will be when a university approved Leave of Absence is provided (i.e., for medical reasons or a family emergency, refer to the University Academic Policies (in the WWU Course Catalog), WWU Division of Student Affairs and/or the Student Health Center for details).

 

See notes on Grading and Plagiarism below.

 

Working at HOME or in other labs:

Much of the material in this course can be done using the ArcGIS Evaluation software or in the other Windows labs on campus (many of which have ArcGIS installed). HOWEVER, this may not be true for all of the assignments. As such, the recommendation is that students schedule time in the main SAL lab (AH-16) to complete their homework. Those who choose to work from home or in other labs should allow adequate time, in case something doesn't work, to get the assignments done in the lab if need be. "I wasn't able to finish the homework because MY version of the software didn't have the right tools..." (or 'my internet connection failed,' or 'my USB drive is corrupt,' etc.) will not be considered acceptable excuses for late assignments. 

 

QUIZZES  &  FINAL  EXAM:

There will be a brief QUIZ each Friday. Each quiz is worth 10 pts (100 pts total) and should take only 10 minutes. Quizzes will be given either at the beginning of the Lecture or at the beginning of the Lab. Late quizzes are not available (thus quizzes serve as an excellent incentive for punctual attendance). Quizzes are (typically) OPEN lab book/notebook, but CLOSED computer (in other words, anything you want to write down in your lab note book ahead of time is usable, unless otherwise specified). Likewise, the use of previous lab exercises is fine. 

 

Quiz scores will be posted to the Canvas Gradebook .

 

The FINAL (worth 60 pts) will be a combination of written questions and ‘live’ (on the computer) GIS skills/exercises. The Final will be entirely OPEN book, open computer.

 

The content of the quizzes and final is cumulative and will draw from the Virtual Campus materials, the readings, and in-class lectures, demonstrations and discussions.

 

There will not be a Mid-Term for this course.

       

GRADING

 

  Points % of Total
Lab Assignments 240 48
Weekly Quizzes 100 20 
Final Project 90 18
Final Exam 60 12
        TOTAL 500 pts. 100 % 

Final grades will be based on a percentage of points earned (roughly 91% = A-, 81% = B-, etc.,with the actual percentage breakdown subject to final revision by the instructor at the end of the quarter). 

 

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with WWU's University Academic Policies found in the Course Catalog, which will be adhered to in this course. 

 

  • Neatness counts! Lab assignments should be turned in on a crisp, clean sheet of paper

  • Lab & Quiz scores will be posted to the class website (by partial W #'s)

  • Late Lab assignments lose 15%

  • Late final projects will not be accepted

  • Extra-credit assignments, make-up or bonus points will not be available for this course

  • Learn how to properly save and backup your work - “The computer ate my file” is not an excuse

 

Plagiarism

 

Digital files are extremely easy to share and copy. Resist the temptation to 'collaborate' with fellow students beyond reasonable limits. Getting advice, feedback and help from classmates is strongly encouraged. Plagiarism will not be tolerated... Likewise, be sure to NOT leave copies of your work on the C:/ drive of lab computers where others might 'find' and 'adopt' them... (for this reason students are encouraged to work off of their U:/ drive). See WWU's Student Rights and Responsibilities Code (Appendix C) and Academic Honesty Policy and Procedure (Appendix D) in the Western Catalog.

    See also: Plagiarism Policies & Guidelines: http://libguides.wwu.edu/plagiarism

    See also: The Student’s Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism: http://www.wwu.edu/soc/guides.shtml

 

 

Accomodations

 

Reasonable accommodation for persons with documented disabilities should be established within the first week of class and arranged through Disability Resources for Students (360-650-3083; drs@wwu.edu; http://www.wwu.edu/depts/drs/

 

 

Pass / Fail

 

Students taking this course purely as an elective (including graduate students) are encouraged to take this course Pass / Fail.  Note, however, that students cannot use Pass / Fail for any courses that are part of their Major, Minor or GURs (this includes courses used as a Major elective).

 

FINAL  WORDS

  • Please TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONE
  • No food or drink in AH-16 (if you need to consume something, please leave the room)
  • Please keep AH-16 tidy, dispose of your trash in a receptacle and your old prints in the recycle bin
  • Try to avoid unnecessary printing, however, be sure to turn in your final products on clean paper. Remember sometimes it takes time (1-2 minutes) for a printout so be patient rather before you hit Print again.... 
  • Use the color printer only for final prints - do test prints with the BW printers when you can

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due