GEOGRAPHY 360 PRINCIPLES OF GIS MAPPING
Perspectives on Sustainability
http://courses.washington.edu/geog360a
Raitt 121 Lecture/Discussion, MWF
8:30-9:20 AM
Smith 401 Lab
Sections: AA MW 9:30-10:20 AM, AB MW 10:30-11:20 AM
Smith 401 Lab
Sections: AC TTH 8:30-9:20AM, AD TTH 9:30-10:20 AM
Instructors:
Tim Nyerges, Professor
402 Smith Hall,
206.543.5296, nyerges at u.washington.edu
Office Hours: T
1:30PM-2:20PM, W 9:30–10:20 AM, or by appointment
Hong Chen, TA
Michalis
Avraam, TA
413A Smith Hall 422 Smith Hall
Office Hours:
announced in section Office Hours:
announced in section
hongchen at
u.washington.edu michalis at u.washington.edu
The course
learning objectives for students are to:
(1) apply principles
of map design when creating various types of maps about sustainability
(2) practice critical
thinking skills during geographic information representation and use
(3) understand mapping
developments as related to geographic information systems (GIS)
Course
Description
GIS Mapping has its roots in cartography. Cartography can be defined
as the art, science, and technology of making and/or using maps to represent
locational relationships among phenomena. This course is designed to provide an
introduction to the concepts, terminology, software, and hardware involved in
computer-aided mapping as a fundamental component of geographic information
systems (GIS). Lectures emphasize basic concepts for understanding the process
of geographic information representation and use. Methods and techniques
learned in this course are applicable to GIS. In addition, this course
adopts a sustainability theme through which we understand information
development and use. Sustainability is one of the major themes in
geographic studies world-wide as well as within the Geography Dept at the U of
Washington.
Lab sections emphasize hands-on experience with geographic data retrieval and manipulation for creating and using maps. Seven lab assignments are required for this course. The last of the seven assignments is a final project of students’ choice, taking into consideration the time and data constraints established by the instructors. Although no computer programming is required for this course, previous computer experience with Windows 2000 or Windows XP is helpful. We will be using the ArcGIS mapping software package on Pentium PC computers. Students have access to ArcGIS mapping software and hardware in the Geography Department's Computer Labs in Smith 401, 411, and 415.
Class discussions emphasize the link between the materials presented in lecture that week and the application of these concepts in lab assignments. In-class five-minute essays associated with those discussions will help reinforce your understanding of the concepts as they apply to the practice of map making and use.
Required reading:
- Dent, B., Torguson J. S. and Holder, T. W. 2008. Cartography:
Thematic Map Design, 6th edition, McGraw-Hill,
Grading (total 400 point grading scale):
5 Five-Minute Essays
(10 points each) – 12.5% (50 points) of total points
First Exam
– 17.5% (70 points) of total
points
Second Exam – 20% (80 points) of total points
7 Lab Assignments 50%
(Lab 1 @ 15 points; 2,3,4,5, @ 25 points each; 6 @ 35 points; 7 @ 50 points)
200 points of total points