Spring 2004

Instructors: Dan Taylor and Mark Graham

Phone: (270) 745 – 5982 [Dan Taylor]

(270) 745 – 4169 [Mark Graham]

Office: EST 353 [Dan Taylor]

EST 317 [Mark Graham]

Office Hours: MWF 9am – 12pm, or by appointment [Dan Taylor]

TR 3pm – 5pm, or by appointment [Mark Graham]

Required Text: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, by Kang-tsung Chang.

Materials: Two 250mb Zip disks.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to the principles and applications of geographic information systems (GIS). Spatial information sources, data encoding, storage, management, analysis, and display are highlighted through the application of GIS techniques to problems in a variety of fields. Students will become acquainted with both raster and vector models using ArcGIS ArcInfo Version 8.3 Desktop. This course is required for the GIS Certificate Program.

CLASS FORMAT:

Class meetings will contain both a lecture and lab component. Lecture will focus on the conceptual basis of GIS, introducing concepts and principles needed for effective GIS use. Students should take notes during the lecture component of the class. The lab component provides students with practice in using ArcGIS software in a problem-solving environment. Note that some project assignments will require time outside of class to complete! No auditing of this course is allowed!

ATTENDANCE:

Regular class attendance is expected! Roll will be taken at the start of every class period. If a student enters class late, it is his or her responsibility to notify the instructor at the end of the class period to make sure they are marked as being present! It is known that students who miss one day will average 5% lower on the exam, students with two misses will average 10% lower on the exam, etc. You will not be dropped if you do not attend class, however, you will receive a failing grade if you have any more than six unexcused absences. The student is responsible for all lecture notes, materials, etc.

GRADE DETERMINATION:

The final course grade is based on two exams (Midterm and Final), a set of applied lab projects, an assortment of in-class exercises, quizzes, and homework assignments. Those items are weighted as follows:

Midterm: 15%

Final: 20%

Lab Projects: 45%

Exercises & Homework: 10%

Quizzes 10%

MAKE-UP EXAMS:

Make-up exams will be given only for the following special circumstances: 1) a university-sponsored event, 2) illness with a doctor’s written excuse. You must provide notification in advance unless physical circumstances prevent it.

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE:

Students who find it necessary to withdraw completely from the University or from this course should report to the Office of Registrar to initiate withdrawal procedures before the last withdrawal date. Students who cease attending class without an official withdrawal will receive a failing grade.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445 Potter Hall. The Office for Student Disability Services telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD. Please do not request accommodations without a letter of accommodation from the Office for Student Disability Services.

POLICIES:

The department of Geography and Geology strictly adheres to University policies, procedures, and deadlines regarding student schedule changes. It is the sole responsibility of the student to meet all deadlines in regard to adding, dropping, or changing the status of a course. Only in exceptional cases will a deadline be waived. The Student Schedule Exception form is used to initiate all waivers. This form requires a written description of the extenuating circumstances involved and the attachment of appropriate documentation. Poor academic performance, general malaise, or undocumented general stress factors are not considered as legitimate circumstances.