GEOG 226 – Spatial Data & Analysis

Syllabus

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• COURSE INTRODUCTION

• SCOPE AND CREDIT

• COURSE FORMAT

• TEXTS & SUPPLIES

• LEARNING OUTCOMES

• EVALUATION

• ACADEMIC POLICIES

• SCHEDULE

COURSE INTRODUCTION [Go To Top]

Practical use and interpretation of maps and aerial photography, including: photo preparation for stereoscopic viewing; determination of measures (scale, distance, & direction/bearing); preparation and use of air photos in woods navigation; utilization of indices for ordering photos and maps.

SCOPE AND CREDIT [Go To Top]

This course is designed for students in the second year of the Resource Management Officer Technology Program.  Credits: 3.

COURSE FORMAT [Go To Top]

Learning will be achieved through lectures, class discussions and labs.  Field trips are an integral part of the course – be prepared for field conditions.  Course hours are 2:0:2.

LEARNING OUTCOMES [Go To Top]

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

1.    Describe federal and provincial mapping systems (NTS and BCGS) and be able to order maps for any given location in BC at an appropriate scale.
 

2.    Determine location on a map by interpolating coordinates using UTM and latitude/longitude co-ordinate systems.
 

3.    Describe the principles of datum and projections commonly used for BC mapping.
 

4.    Describe the basic science of remote sensing (radiation, image capture, etc.) and the acquisition, platforms and images used in vertical aerial photography.
 

5.    Annotate and orient air photos for stereo viewing.
 

6.    Determine the scale for maps and air photos and calculate horizontal and slope distances and slope angles.
 

7.    Using a hand compass, determine bearings between objects on maps and air photos, and in the field.  Using either a map or ‘the real world’ as a reference, determine and delineate north on an air photo.
 

8.    Conduct a simple ground traverse and map the results.
 

9.    Navigate in the woods using maps and/or air photos.
 

10. Describe process of acquisition, platforms and images obtained from satellites.
 

11. Describe how the NAVSTAR GPS system works and outline sources of error.

12. Explain fundamental concepts of GIS and conduct basic analyses and create maps.

 

TEXTS & SUPPLIES [Go To Top]

Required Texts:

• Map Use & Analysis, Fourth Edition, Campbell, John, McGraw-Hill, 2001.
   

Other Resources: references will be posted to http://web.viu.ca/corrin/

Supplies & Equipment:  Calculator and a ruler will be required for most labs.  Suitable outdoor gear (sturdy boots, raingear and hat) will be needed for the outdoor labs.  Other field gear will be supplied.

EVALUATION [Go To Top]

*Quizzes will consist of short answer questions that will cover recent lecture/lab material and reading assignments.    Any missed exams or quizzes will receive a grade of zero.

Instructor Assessment

If included in the grade breakout, it will be based on student's attendance, promptness, effort, attitude & behaviour, class participation and ability to work independently.

ACADEMIC POLICIES [Go To Top]

Missing Tests

Students missing any exam, test or quiz, that are unable to provide legitimate reason (illness or personal situation of a serious nature) for their absence, will be credited with zero for the missed exam or quiz. Normally, students will not be permitted to write exams or quizzes after the test has been given to the class. Students will not be permitted to write any exam or quiz before it has been given to the class.

Exam Policies

In order to minimize issues and disputes regarding inappropriate behavior during exams, the following policies will be followed:

• Calculators – the only calculator allowed in an exam will the model included in the forestry kit (no programmable calculators will be permitted)
• No electronic devices nor sharing of materials (includes calculators) are allowed without Instructor approval.
• Leaving the room – students may not leave the room once an exam has begun (i.e. when a student leaves the exam room their exam is to be handed in and is considered finished).  Longer exams may be broken into 2 parts so that a student may leave the room after completing the first part.
• Seating – students will be asked to arrange themselves in such a manner that no 2 students are sitting side-by-side
• Extra materials – only those materials authorized by the exam invigilator will allowed on the desktop

Assignment Format

The following is the standard acceptable format for assignments:

• Title Page – the first page should be a title page that contains the students name, course name/number, assignment name/number and date

• Page Layout – use double spacing OR provide wide margins (i.e. leave enough ‘white space’ to allow for comments) - also, only use one side of the page.

Late Assignments

Grades for late assignments, without a legitimate reason, will be reduced by 10% per calendar day.  Students turning in late assignments are required to indicate the late penalty % on the cover page of their assignment (e.g. “2 days late, –20% ”). Late assignments will automatically receive a zero grade if submitted after the Instructor has returned the graded assignments to the rest of the class. 

Academic Misconduct

Although students are encouraged to work together to collect information or discuss assignments with colleagues, they are expected to do individual work; written reports should be quite different in wording, arrangement of individual answers and other items.  Any two written reports or other assignments that, in the opinion of the instructor, are substantially the same will not be marked.  All parties involved in the work will receive a failure for the work and will be required to offer reasons to the Dean of Science & Technology as to why their names should not be removed from the class list.          

The guiding principle is

“verbal exchange is collaboration while

a written exchange (paper or digital) is academic misconduct”. 

Students are encouraged to review the materials on http://web.viu.ca/corrin/UsefulStuff/AcademicMisconduct.htm .    

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE – subject to change  [Go To Top]