GEOG 483
Problem Solving with GIS

GEOG 483 Syllabus

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Geography 483: Problem Solving with GIS (Spring 2024)

This syllabus is divided into several sections. It is essential that you read the entire document as well as the material covered in the Course Orientation. Together these serve the role of our course "contract."


Instructor

Beth King (Spring 1 and 2, 2024)

  • Phone: 814-865-9164
  • I read course discussion posts and mail every day and I try to respond within 24 hours.


Course Overview

Geography 483 consists of readings, hands-on projects, quizzes, and discussions concerned with the ways in which geographic information systems facilitate data analysis and communication to address common geographic problems. Students who successfully complete the course are able to use GIS software to analyze both vector and raster data using a variety of techniques, including spatial and attribute queries, map overlay, and buffering. Students also gain experience in designing and producing effective maps. Geography 483 requires the use of ArcGIS Pro and extensions and QGIS. Suggested prerequisite: GEOG 482.

This class is being offered to students around the globe through Penn State's World Campus. It is a "paced" course, which means that there are an established start and end date and that you will interact with other students throughout the course. Registered students can find the course materials in the online course management system Canvas (https://psu.instructure.com/). Canvas includes readings, hands-on projects, quizzes, and communications tools, such as discussion forums and an email system.

The course is 10 weeks in length and contains readings, hands-on projects, quizzes, and graded discussion forums. Weeks 9 and 10 will consist of a final project that requires students to utilize concepts and tools learned in the projects. Additional information about these requirements can be found under the "Assignments" section of this syllabus.

Registered students should regularly read the discussion forums, where students and instructors share comments, pose questions, and suggest answers. It is a good idea to log into the course every day to check in on the class. With only occasional exceptions, I check message boards six days a week. You can be sure that I will read, but not necessarily respond to, every single message.

What will be expected of you?

Each lesson should take about 12 hours to complete, depending on the speed at which you work. Included in the 12 hours to complete a lesson is time to complete projects and related activities. You'll be glad to know that you don't have to show up for class at a certain time. You need to complete each project or quiz before the published deadline.

My colleagues and I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students.

For a more detailed look at what will be covered in each lesson, as well as due dates for our assignments and activities, please refer to the semester-specific course schedule that is part of this syllabus (see "Course Schedule," below).


Course Objectives

At the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  • Perform basic spatial analysis (attribute and spatial queries, buffering, overlays) and link those methods together in a more complex analytical model
  • Utilize geocoding to display address locations and recognize spatial patterns within the information
  • Create presentation-quality maps that clearly communicate spatial information and analysis
  • Demonstrate the ability to differentiate between vector and raster data
  • Formulate a workflow that solves a problem by utilizing appropriate GIS skills and concepts

Lesson Objectives

Lesson One: Decision Support with a GIS

  • Map GIS data using a coordinate system appropriate for its end-use.
  • Symbolize geographic features.
  • Perform spatial and attribute queries.

Lesson Two: Emergency/Disaster Management

  • Extract coordinate system information from metadata.
  • Define a relational database in basic terms.
  • Distinguish between feature attribute tables and external attribute tables.
  • Describe table cardinality and its importance in making associations between tables.
  • Perform tabular joins and relates using key fields.
  • Perform mass table updates using SQL.
  • Update feature geometry values (area, perimeter, length).
  • Create thematic maps.

Lesson Three: Emergency/Disaster Management (cont'd)

  • Perform spatial analysis using buffer zones.
  • Use geoprocessing analysis toolsets such as overlay, proximity and extract to produce new feature datasets.
  • Overlay various resulting layers for optimal feature display.

Lesson Four: Water Utilities

  • Describe address geocoding and provide examples of its use.
  • Locate addresses on a map using geocoding tools.

Lesson Five: Urban and Regional Planning

  • Apply the concepts of visual hierarchy and color theory to compose a presentation-quality map.
  • Label map features and use labeling variables (type size, weight, and font) effectively.
  • Add map elements (scale bar, north arrow, title, insets, etc.) to create presentation-quality maps.
  • Discuss map presentation media and methods.

Lesson Six: Combating Homelessness

  • Acquire data from various sources.
  • Define “open data” and describe some open data options.
  • Create presentation-quality maps.

Lesson Seven: Agriculture

  • Describe the difference between discrete and continuous data.
  • Convert between vector and raster data formats.
  • Create hillshade and aspect layers from elevation data.
  • Perform distance calculations.
  • Reclassify continuous surface grids into discrete categories.
  • Perform map algebra calculations.

Lesson Eight: Transportation

  • Use Summary Statistics to create a look-up table.
  • Analyze data with Cost Distance tools.
  • Create a data set with network attributes and topology.

Lesson Nine & Ten: Environmental Management & Conservation

  • Create a presentation quality map.
  • Critique the design, layout, symbology, etc. of a peer's map.

Required Course Materials

In order to take this course, you need to have the required course materials listed below.  Some of the materials needed for this course are presented in Canvas. In order to access the online materials, you need to have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password. If you have any questions about obtaining or activating your Penn State Access Account, please contact the Outreach Helpdesk. They can be reached at 1-800-252-3592 in the US or internationally at 814-865-5403 (country code 1). You may reach them by e-mail at psuwd@psu.edu (link sends e-mail).

Required Textbook: Bolstad, P. (2019). GIS Fundamentals: A first text on Geographic Information Systems, 6th ed. XanEdu Publishing Inc.

Data used in this course will be available for download. If you experience any difficulty downloading these items, please contact me immediately so we can work together to resolve the problem. 

You will use the following software:

  • ArcGIS Pro
  • ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap) and extensions
  • QGIS

If you have questions regarding the software, please contact the instructor.

Important note: The software is restricted to personal use by the student. It is unlawful for anyone to use this software package without the appropriate commercial license to generate personal or corporate profit or revenue.

Assistance

Penn State honors and values the socioeconomic diversity of our students. If you require assistance with the costs of textbooks for this course, plaese contact your aceademic advisor. For additional needs, related to socioeconomic status, please visit Project Cahir or visit the Office of Student and Avdocacy at 220 Boucke Building or call (814) 863-2020.

Using the Library

As a registered user of Penn State Libraries, you can...

  • search for journal articles (many are even immediately available in full text)
  • request articles that aren't available in full-text and have them delivered electronically
  • borrow books and other materials and have them delivered to your doorstep
  • access materials that your instructor has put on Electronic Reserve
  • talk to reference librarians in real-time using chat, phone, and e-mail
  • ...and much more!

To register with the Libraries, and to learn more about their services, see the Library Information for Off-site Users.


Assignments and Grading

Students earn grades that reflect the extent to which they achieve the learning objectives listed above. Opportunities to demonstrate learning include the following, and grades will be based on points assigned to each of several components of the course as follows:

4 Class Projects

Projects are designed to be moderately challenging. The key to success is to stay on schedule, ask questions, and participate in discussions in the forums. All projects are due within one week of the scheduled beginning of each new project. All of the projects are individual assignments.
- 40% of your grade (400/1000 points)
Lesson 1 = 100 points
Lesson 3 = 100 points
Lesson 5 = 100 points
Lesson 7 = 100 points

4 Quizzes

Quizzes are designed to assess your knowledge of the material covered in each lesson.
- 20% of your grade (200/1000 points)
Lesson 2 = 50 points
Lesson 4 = 50 points
Lesson 6 = 50 points
Lesson 8 = 50 points

4 Graded Discussion Forums

Graded discussions will encourage students to contribute their experience and knowledge.
- 10% of your grade (100/1000 points)
Lesson 2 = 25 points
Lesson 4 = 25 points
Lesson 6 = 25 points
Lesson 8 = 25 points

1 Final Project, Final Quiz, and Peer Review

A final project will be completed during the last two weeks of the course. The project is an individual assignment.
- 30% of your grade (300/1000 points)
Week 9/10 = 150 points
Final quiz = 100 points
Peer Review = 50 points

Total Points

400 + 200 + 100 + 300 = 1,000 points

Letter grades will be based on the following percentages:

Grading scale
A 90-100%
A- 87.5-89.9%
B+ 85-87.4%
B 80-84.9%
B- 77.5-79.9%
C+ 75-77.4%
C 70-74.9%
D 60-69.9%
F <60%
X Unsatisfactory (student did not participate)

Percentages refer to the proportion of all possible points earned by the student.


GEOG 483 Course Schedule

image Printable Schedule

Below you will find a summary of the lesson objectives for this course and the associated time frames. Assignment information will be located on each lesson's checklist. This course is 10 weeks in length, with an orientation week preceding the official start of the course. Each lesson is one week long and opens on a Wednesday.

Course Schedule
Week Lesson Deliverables
Week 0

Orientation Week

Orientation Week Objectives:

  • Please introduce yourself in the Lounge Discussion Forum

Week 1

Lesson 1: Decision Support with GIS

Lesson 1 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 1
  • Upload and Submit your work on Project 1

Week 2

Lesson 2: Manipulating and Summarizing Attribute Data

Lesson 2 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 2
  • Post to the Lesson 2 graded discussion forum
  • Take the Lesson 2 quiz

Week 3

Lesson 3: Analyzing Spatial Data in a GIS

Lesson 3 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 3
  • Upload and Submit your work on Project 3

Week 4

Lesson 4: Address Geocoding

Lesson 4 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 4
  • Post to the Lesson 4 graded discussion forum
  • Take the Lesson 4 quiz

Week 5

Lesson 5: Layouts

Lesson 5 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 5
  • Upload and Submit your work on Project 5

Week 6

Lesson 6: Acquiring and Manipulating Data

Lesson 6 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 6
  • Post to the Lesson 6 graded discussion forum
  • Take the Lesson 6 quiz

Week 7

Lesson 7: Introduction to Raster GIS Analysis

Lesson 7 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 7
  • Upload and Submit your work on Project 7

Week 8

Lesson 8: Network Analysis

Lesson 8 Deliverables:

  • Complete Lesson 8 
  • Post to the Lesson 8 graded discussion forum
  • Take the Lesson 8 quiz
WEEKS 9&10 Final Project and Peer Review

Lesson 9/10 Deliverables:

  • Complete the final project
  • Take the final quiz
  • Complete the peer review activity

Class Support Services

Penn State Online offers online tutoring to World Campus students in math, writing, and some business classes. Tutoring and guided study groups for residential students are available through Penn State Learning.


Course Policies

"Creativity" Points

At Penn State, the course grade "A" (which corresponds to at least 90 percent of possible points in this course) denotes "exceptional achievement." In this course, project reports that fulfill minimum requirements (as specified on assignment Deliverables page) earn 90 percent of possible points for each assignment. Up to 10 percent additional points are awarded for report elements that exceed minimum requirements.

Technical Requirements

For this course, we recommend the minimum technical requirements outlined on the World Campus Technical Requirements page, including the requirements listed for same-time, synchronous communications. If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the IT Service Desk (for World Campus students) or Penn State's IT Help Portal (for students at all other campus locations).

Internet Connection

Access to a reliable Internet connection is required for this course. A problem with your Internet access may not be used as an excuse for late, missing, or incomplete coursework. If you experience problems with your Internet connection while working on this course, it is your responsibility to find an alternative Internet access point, such as a public library or Wi-Fi ® hotspot.

Mixed Content

This site is considered a secure web site, which means that your connection is encrypted. We do, however, link to content that isn't necessarily encrypted. This is called mixed content. By default, mixed content is blocked in Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome. This may result in a blank page or a message saying that only secure content is displayed. Follow the directions on our Technical Requirements page to view the mixed content.

Equations

This course must be viewed using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge. Internet Explorer is not supported. If you use any other browser, or if you are not using the latest version of your browser, some pages containing equations may not render properly. In addition, javascript must be enabled for equations to render properly. If you have any issues with equations not rendering properly, please update your browser to the latest version or try using a different browser. If you need additional technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the HelpDesk (for World Campus students) or the IT Service Desk (for students at all other campus locations).

Penn State E-mail Accounts

All official communications from Penn State are sent to students' Penn State e-mail accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, or forward your Penn State e-mail to your preferred e-mail account, so you don't miss any important information.

Academic Integrity

This course follows the procedures for academic integrity of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. Penn State defines academic integrity as "the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner." Academic integrity includes "a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation, or deception." In particular, the University defines plagiarism as "the fabrication of information and citations; submitting others' work from professional journals, books, articles, and papers; submission of other students' papers, lab results or project reports and representing the work as one's own." Penalties for violations of academic integrity may include course failure. To learn more, see Penn State's Academic Integrity Training for Students

Course Copyright

All course materials students receive or to which students have online access are protected by copyright laws. Students may use course materials and make copies for their own use as needed, but unauthorized distribution and/or uploading of materials without the instructor’s express permission is strictly prohibited. University Policy AD 40, the University Policy Recording of Classroom Activities and Note Taking Services addresses this issue. Students who engage in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials may be held in violation of the University’s Code of Conduct, and/or liable under Federal and State laws.

For example, uploading completed labs, homework, or other assignments to any study site constitutes a violation of this policy.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Student Disability Resources website provides contact information for Campus Disability Coordinators at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the Office for Student Disability Resources website.

In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled. You will participate in an intake interview and provide documentation. See documentation guidelines at Applying for Services from Student Disability Resources. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.

Change in Normal Campus Operations

In case of weather-related delays or other emergency campus disruptions or closures at the University, this online course will proceed as planned. Your instructor will inform you if there are any extenuating circumstances regarding content or activity due dates in the course due to these delays or closures. If you are affected by a weather-related emergency, please contact your instructor at the earliest possible time to make special arrangements.

Reporting Educational Equity Concerns

Penn State takes great pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated (Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance) and can be reported through Educational Equity via Report Bias.

Counseling and Psychological Services

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional well-being.  The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings.  These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.  Services include the following:

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park  (CAPS): 814-863-0395
Counseling Services at Commonwealth Campuses
Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400
Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

Military Personnel

Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or spouses with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, disabilities, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.

Connect Online with Caution

Penn State is committed to educational access for all. Our students come from all walks of life and have diverse life experiences. As with any other online community, the lack of physical interaction in an online classroom can create a false sense of anonymity and security. While one can make new friends online, digital relationships can also be misleading. Good judgment and decision-making are critical when choosing to disclose personal information to others whom you do not know.

Deferred Grades

If you are prevented from completing this course within the prescribed amount of time for reasons that are beyond your control, it is possible to have the grade deferred with the concurrence of the instructor, following Penn State Deferred Grade Policy 48-40. To seek a deferred grade, you must submit a written request (by e-mail or U.S. post) to the instructor describing the reason(s) for the request. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested before the beginning of the final examination period.  It is up to the instructor to determine whether or not you will be permitted to receive a deferred grade. If permission is granted, you will work with the instructor to establish a communication plan and a clear schedule for completion within policy.  If, for any reason, the coursework for the deferred grade is not complete by the assigned time, a grade of "F" will be automatically entered on your transcript.

Attendance

This course will be conducted entirely online. There will be no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments with specific due dates. Many of the assignments are open for multiple days, so it is your responsibility to complete the work early if you plan to travel or participate in national holidays, religious observances or University approved activities.

If you need to request an exception due to a personal or medical emergency, contact the instructor directly as soon as you are able. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect

Penn State is “committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others” as stated in Policy AD29 Statement on Intolerance. All members of this class are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment and to interact with civility.

For additional information, see:

Mandated Reporting Statement

Penn State’s policies require me, as a faculty member, to share information about incidents of sex-based discrimination and harassment (discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, and retaliation) with Penn State’s Title IX coordinator or deputy coordinators, regardless of whether the incidents are stated to me in person or shared by students as part of their coursework. For more information regarding the University's policies and procedures for responding to reports of sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct, please visit Penn State's Office of Sexual Misconduct Prevention & Response website.

Additionally, I am required to make a report on any reasonable suspicion of child abuse in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law.


Disclaimer

Please note that the specifics of this Course Syllabus can be changed at any time, and you will be responsible for abiding by any such changes. All changes will be communicated to you via e-mail, course announcement and/or course discussion forum.