Doug Corrin

Forestry Department

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FRST 182 - GIS

Syllabus

 

Jump To:

 

Term:

Spring

Time Slot:

Wed. 8:30 - 12:30

Location:

Lec.: Bld. 370 – Rm. 106

Lab: Bld. 315 - Rm. 113

 

Instructor:

Office:

Office Hours:

Email:

Phone:

 

Doug Corrin

Bld. 370 – Rm. 220

as posted

doug.corrin@viu.ca

753-3245 loc. 2231

 

COURSE INTRODUCTION [Go To Top]

This course provides an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) with an emphasis on spatial and attribute data issues (data management, quality, models, and structures) and analytical operations (query, buffer, overlay, spatial interpolation).  Satellite imagery is also examined.

 

 

SCOPE AND CREDIT [Go To Top]

This course is designed for students in the first year of the Forest Resources Technology Program.  Credits: 2.

 

 

COURSE FORMAT [Go To Top]

Learning will be achieved through lectures, class discussions and labs.  Course hours (lec:sem:lab) are 2:0:2, however, the weekly breakout between lecture and lab may vary.

 

 

TEXTS & SUPPLIES [Go To Top]

Recommended Text: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems by Heywood, Cornelius and Carver (Prentice Hall).

 

Other Resources: http://web.viu.ca/corrin

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES [Go To Top]

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

 

 

1.      define and be conversant with terms relating to GIS
 

2.      locate appropriate resources for accessing further information on GIS
 

3.      create spatial data by digitizing (heads-up) and importing geographic coordinates
 

4.      describe spatial referencing (datum and coordinate systems) for geographic data
 

5.      describe commonly used projection systems
 

6.      create plot layouts
 

7.      describe the need for and processes of abstraction and generalization
 

8.      describe and compare various data models and data structures
 

9.      describe metadata requirements and data quality issues
 

10.   describe and conduct basic database operations (sort, query & summarize)
 

11.   describe and perform spatial analyses (attribute & spatial query, overlays, spatial interpolation, and distance/buffers operations)

 

 

 

EVALUATION [Go To Top]

Grade Breakout:

 

Grade Conversion:

 

Assignments

15%

 

A+

>90%

Midterms (2)

30%

 

A

85-89%

Lecture & Lab Quizzes*

15%

 

A-

80-84%

Final Exam

30%

 

B+

76-79%

Instructor Assessment

10%

 

B

72-75%

   

 

B-

68-71%

Assignments

15%

 

C+

64-67%

Midterms (2)

30%

 

C

60-63%

Lecture & Lab Quizzes*

15%

 

C-

55-59%

Instructor Assessment

10%

 

D

50-54%

"Final"

10 to the better of Labs or Quizzes

20 to the better midterm

30%

 

F

<50%

 

*Quizzes will consist of short answer questions that will cover recent lecture material, reading assignments or identification of specimens.  The midterm and the final exam will consist of a written portion and a hands-on identification portion.  Any missed exams or quizzes will receive a grade of zero.  Students have the option to drop the mark received for one quiz of their choice but not an exam.

 

Instructor Assessment

Instructor assessment will be based on student's attendance, promptness, effort, attitude, class participation and ability to work independently (note the "5 minute rule").

 

 

ACADEMIC POLICIES [Go To Top]

For information on exam policies, missing tests, assignment format standards, late assignments, instructor assessment and academic misconduct (e.g., plagiarism), please refer to the VIU Forestry Department website:

 

Refer to http://www.mala.ca/forestry/AcademicPolicies.asp for details.

 

       

  

 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULEsubject to change  [Go To Top]

 

 

Week

 

Date

Lecture

Lab

 

1

 

Jan-05

Course Introduction

GIS Overview (chap. 1)

 

Lab set-up – accounts & Virtual Campus (VC)

Virtual Campus

- Mod. 1 Getting Started: 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 [1.5 hr]

 

 

2

 

Jan-12

Snow Day Snow Day

 

3

 

Jan-19

Spatial Data (chap. 2)

 

Virtual Campus

- Mod. 2 Symbology: 2-1, 2-3 [1 hr]

- Mod. 3 Datum & Projection: 3-1, 3-2 [1 hr]

 

 

4

 

Jan-26

Data Input (chap. 5)

 

Virtual Campus

- Mod. 8 Map Output: 8-1, 8-2 [ 1.25 hr]

- Mod. 5 Create Data: 5-1, 5-3, 5-4 [1.5 hr]

 Parking Lot – data collection

 

 

5

 

Feb-02

Database (chap. 4)

 

Lab 1: Parking Lot – data entry & map layout [2 hr]

 

 

6

 

Feb-09

Cartography (chap. 8)

Classification Schemes

Lab 2: Buffer Analysis

 

7

 

Feb-16

Midterm 1

Lab 2: Buffer Analysis (cont.)

 

8

 

Feb-23

Study Days

Study Days

 

9

 

Mar-02

Analysis - Vector (chap. 6)

Lab 4: Buffer & Overlay Analysis

 

10

 

Mar-09

Spatial Data Models (chap. 3)

Analytical Modeling

-  Mod. 7 Analysis: 7-1 [0.5 hr]

Lab 5: Buffer & Overlay Analysis with Model Builder

 

11

 

Mar-16

Analysis - Raster (chap. 6)

Lab 6: VIU Woodlot Protected Areas

    Stupid Strike Stupid Strike

 

12

 

April 13

Analysis - Raster

Lab7 - overview

Lab 7: Sorghum

 

13

 

April 20

Data Quality

Lab 8 - Overview

Lab 8: Deer Winter Range

 

14

 

April 27

Midterm 2

Lab 9: Deer Winter Range (cont.)