1. GEO3041 http://heep.geog.ufl.edu/courses/foundgis
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Foundations of Geographic Information Systems/
Geographic Information Systems in Research
GIS3043 Section 01CG Summer A 2015
GeneralInformation
Instructors:
José J. Hernández Ayala
Jingyin Tang
Lab Instructors:
Jingyin Tang José J. Hernández Ayala
Office TUR 3126 TUR 3205
Phone 352-294-7520 352-294-7520
Email jtang8756@ufl.edu javy3905@ufl.edu
Office Hours Monday 2:30-3:30 Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Textbooks:
NO REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Textbook recommendation (text can be checked out of the library or from instructors upon request):
“GIS Fundamentals: A first text on Geographic Information Systems” by Paul Bolstad. 2nd version,
2005. ISBN 978-0-9717647-1-2 (The book website: http://www.paulbolstad.net/gisbook.html)
“Introduction to Geographic Information Systems” By Kang-tsung Chang, 3rd or 4th version, 2005,
ISBN 0-07-282682-7
Course website and Lab manual:
E-learning
Description
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are very powerful theoretical and computing tools used to
accumulate, store, manipulate, display, and analyze spatial data. GIS has revolutionized the way in
which many disciplines examine problems, incorporating spatial and temporal dimensions that were
not considered to such depths before. Although the concept of a GIS has been around for many
years, recent advances have been possible mostly because of developments in computer hardware
and software technology.
This course is designed for students with no prior Geographic Information Systems experience. It
involves both a weekly theoretical lecture and a computer lab session where hands-on experience
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using GIS software allows you to reinforce knowledge gained during the lecture. Lab exercises are
a major part of the course and provide the opportunity for students to acquaint themselves with the
many practical issues related to using GIS as a research tool.
Lab exercises are completed almost entirely using Windows-based computers. While the course
requires no prior GIS experience, you must have a basic understanding of computers and how
to use them. If you do not feel that you have basic computer skills, I recommend that you take
advantage of the resources on campus at the earliest possible time. There are online courses
(http://NetG.ufl.edu) available to you through Academic Technologies. You are also invited to talk
to me about your individual situation.
This course will be very comprehensive in a short time (6 week summer A term), therefore the
instructors will not have time to provide remedial computer training. If you are not comfortable
with basic computer navigation and saving data or working within a network please consider taking
this course at another time.
Goals & Objectives
In this course you will learn about the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
theory and technologies through the use of problem solving and spatial thinking skills. The
approach used in this course is problem-based learning applied to spatially explicit problems. These
concepts are essential to the use of GIS. You will develop your own analytical skills by addressing
real-world problems within the spatial framework of GIS.
The specific objectives of this course are to:
1. improve geographic problem solving abilities through the application of GIS knowledge and
spatial thinking skills;
2. learn geographic concepts and skills and determine their relevance to you;
3. sharpen critical thinking skills about geographic information – its reliability, accuracy and
precision;
4. Acquire competency in basic knowledge and skills regarding GIS.
Evaluation
There will be a weekly in-class quiz starting the second week of class.
Labs will be comprised 50% of your final grade. Labs will be discussed in lecture and there will
be a close association between material covered in the lecture and lab periods. ABSOLUTLY
no late labs will be acceptedafterthe first 10 minutes of class. This class will
move at a very rapid pace so getting behind and turning in late material will not be acceptable.
Turn in Labs for partial credit if they are not completed but do not try and turn them in late.
The final project will be completed during the last week of class.
Quizzes 25%
Lab 50%
Final Project 25%
TOTAL 100%
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Grading Scale
A 92.00-100% A- 90.0-91.9%
B+ 88.00-89.9% B 83-87.9% B- 80.0-82.9%
C+ 78.00-79.9% C 73-77.9% C- 70.0-72.9%
D+ 68-69.9% D 63-67.9% D-60-62.9%
E Less than 60%
UF Honor Code
The University of Florida Honor Code states: "We, the members of the University of Florida
community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and
integrity." As such, cheating of any kind (copying homework, plagiarism, cheating on a test, etc.)
will not be tolerated and if caught you will be treated according the UF policies, and a grade of ‘F’
will be recorded for the course.
SpecialAccommodation
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office.
The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this
documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
Software/ComputerUse
All faculty, staff and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal
agreements governing software/computer use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or
criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University
policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.
Late Assignments
Labs are due every Tuesday, meaning both labs from the previous week are due. Lab received
after 12:45 are considered late and 10% will automatically be deducted. For every day late
another 10% will be deducted.
Warning
This class will be very time consuming. If you are taking more than 6 credit hours during Summer
A then this course may not be an advisable one to take. In fact, we STRONGLY recommend that
you take only this class during the summer A session.
If you work part or full time, this class will be very difficult to complete with a satisfactory grade.
This message is not meant to discourage potential students and the course material difficulty is not
the reason for the warning message.
Below is an example of the time that you will likely spend with class work
Lab 5-10 hours a week x 2 = 10 – 20 hours
