Fall,
2019
Class hours: Monday 5:35 – 9:25 p.m.
Class location: HN 1090B-1
Professor: Hongmian Gong
Office and phone: HN1050, 212-772-4658
Office hours: Monday 4:15 – 5:15 p.m., or by appointment.
Email: gong@hunter.cuny.edu
Web page: http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~hgong
Department office and phone: HN1006, 212-772-5265
We will cover the whole
The course has two equally important
parts: lectures that introduce the theory of GIScience
and lab exercises which demonstrate corresponding features in GIS software. The
lectures will focus on concepts, data, and tools. The laboratory exercises are
task oriented; you engage with and learn about geospatial data and software
tools by performing the tasks in each lab exercise. The exercises start at a
very basic level, requiring little more than elementary experience with the
Windows operating system.
Goal
This
course is an introduction to GIS in general. We will be using a variety of online, web-based and desktop GIS in
your lab assignments but the lectures concentrate on general principles and
will note software-specific exceptions.
Objectives
You learn
to see GIS as a spatial decision making process from conceptualizing spatial
problems to different representations of spatial data, data sources, data
organization, vector and raster analysis, and map production.
By the end of this course, you will
have worked on and know:
1. Different
GIS data models and formats and how they can be analyzed using GIS.
2. The entire
GIS production process from data modeling and acquisition to editing, analysis,
and cartographic output.
3. To work
independently with GIS.
Pre-requisites:
None
Required Textbook:
None.
Useful Learning Materials:
·
Albrecht, J. 2007. Key Concepts and Techniques in GIS. London: Sage. ISBN
978-1412910163.
·
Harvey, F. 2008. A Primer of GIS. New York.
The Guilford Press.
·
Law, M. 2013 Getting to Know ArcGIS – 3rd
edition for ArcGIS 10.1, ESRI Press, Redlands Ca
·
Chang, Kang-tsung
2006. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. New York: McGraw-Hill
·
deMers, Michael
2004. Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. New York: Wiley.
·
de Smith M,
Goodchild, M and P Longley. 2018. Geospatial
Analysis. Leicester: Winchelsea Press (Free access at http://www.spatialanalysisonline.com).
·
Donnelly, F. 2017. Introduction to GIS Using Open Source Software. Available for free
at http://faculty.baruch.cuny.edu/geoportal/resources/practicum/gisprac_2017july_fd.pdf
·
QGIS. 2018.
A Gentle Introduction to GIS.
Available for free at https://docs.qgis.org/testing/en/docs/gentle_gis_introduction/
Grade will be based on the following Criteria:
|
Lab exercises |
40% |
|
Midterm exam, Monday, October 21 (date subject to change) |
20% |
|
Final exam, Monday, December 16 |
20% |
|
Project and paper |
20% |
1. Students are strongly advised not to miss any exam. If you have to miss an exam, you must contact Prof. Gong within 48 of the missed exam and present acceptable documentary evidence for your absence. No student is allowed more than one make-up exam.
2. Each student is required to do a mini project at
the end of the semester, using the GIS taught in the course. The data
should be real, not hypothetical (some real data are available from the
instructor). Students are required to submit a 5-page (double spaced)
paper outlining the data, methodology, conclusion, and significance of their projects.
3. A late lab or
paper will be marked down by 10% each day.
4. Class attendance is mandatory. Students are responsible for obtaining any information presented in class during an absence.
5. No incomplete (IN) is given as a grade unless it is under the most extraordinary, and documented, circumstances. To request IN as a grade, you must contact the instructor before the final exam and complete a Contract to Resolve Incomplete Grades.
Week 1 (Sept. 5): Introduction
Week 2 (Sept. 9): Coordinate systems
Week 3 (Sept. 16): Organizing geographic data
Week 4 (Sept. 23): Geographic data sources and data compilation
Week 5 (Oct. 7): Working with tabular data
Week 6 (Oct. 16): Geocoding and address matching
Week 7 (Oct. 21): Midterm exam; setting up a GIS project
Week 8 (Oct. 28): geodatabase design
Week 9 (Nov. 4): Vector processing
Week 10 (Nov. 11): Raster Analysis
Week 11 (Nov. 18): Map design and annotation
Week 12 (Nov. 25): Geoprocessing and models
Week 13 (Dec. 2): Project
Week 14 (Dec. 9): Project presentations
Week 15 (Dec. 16): Final exam
Notes on Schedule
September 2: College closed for Labor Day.
September 5 (Thursday): Classes at Hunter College follow Monday schedule and we have our first class.
September 30 (Monday): No classes scheduled at Hunter College.
October 14 (Monday): College closed for Columbus Day.
October 16 (Wednesday): Classes follow Monday schedule and we have class.
November 5 (Thursday): Last day to drop the class with the grade of "W".
December 9 (Monday): Last class for this course.
December 16 (Monday): Final exam date.
How to Use Blackboard to Access Your Grades and Course Information
1. Follow instructions on http://bb.hunter.cuny.edu to access Blackboard;
2. To view your grades, click My Grades, and then click GTECH 709 Introduction to GIS;
3. To access course announcements, click GTECH 709 Introduction to GIS, and then click Announcements on the left.
4. To access course documents, click GTECH 709 Introduction to GIS, and then click Course Information on the left.
5. When you are done, click “Logout” at the top to exit your
account, and then close the Internet browser.
Email Policy
Students should check the Announcements section in Blackboard and the course syllabus before emailing the instructor. Content of the emails is limited to what has not been covered and cannot be covered in class or during office hours. Emails are generally replied to within one business day and no later than two business days. Remember to include the course title in the subject line and sign your full name as it appears in CUNYFirst.
Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity
Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.
ADA Policy
In compliance with the American Disability
Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,
Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations
for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is
recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical,
Physical, and/or Learning) consult the Office of AccessABILITY, located in Room
E1214B, to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information
and assistance, please call: (212) 772- 4857 or (212) 650-3230.
Hunter College Policy on Sexual Misconduct
“In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter
College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes
sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation
against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate
relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or
off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the
rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College.
a. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to
immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims
Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting
the College's Public Safety Office (212-772-4444).
b. All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also
encouraged to contact the College's Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose
(jtrose@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry
(colleen.barry@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services
through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123.
CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link: http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-SexualMisconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf
Syllabus Change Policy
Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) criteria, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice. Any changes made to the syllabus will be announced in class and/or posted in Blackboard under Announcements.