This course will provide a thorough introduction to the theory and application of GIS, and the use and operation of the ArcGIS software package. Topics will include an introduction to GIS, spatial data models, map projections and coordinate systems, data entry, global positioning system (GPS), aerial photographs and satellite images, metadata, georeferencing, databases, vector and raster spatial analyses,  map making, a description of other GIS tools and future trends, and examples of real world GIS applications. 

No prerequisites, though basic computer skills required.

Instructors:  

Lectures: Dr. Hongjie Xie, Email: hongjie.xie@utsa.edu, Tel: 210-458-5445
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UTSA, http://www.utsa.edu/LRSG

 

Hands on GIS: Dr. Ryan Rudnicki, Email: ryan.rudnicki@utsa.edu, Tel: 210-458-4455

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at UTSA

Thursday 3:30-5:30 pm or by appointment at room SB 2.02.16

Lecture and Lab:

Lecture and Lab: 5:45-8:30 pm, Thursday at room SB 2.03.04

You are required to attend all lectures and labs except you have a good excuse (you should let instructors know prior to the class).

Textbook:

Two books required for this course:

1. Bruce Davis, GIS: A Visual Approach. 2nd ed. 2001. Santa Fe: OnWord Press.
This book will form the basis for lectures in the course.

2. Tim Ormsby, et al., Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo. 2nd ed, 2004. Redlands, CA: ESRI Press.
This book will serve as the 'lab manual' for the course.

Grade Policy:

The student's course grade will be based on two exams, several quizzes (vocabulary and definitions), and lab exercises based on those found in the Getting to Know ArcGIS text/lab manual or provided by the instructor.

• Each exam counts as 20% of the total grade.
• The quizzes will count 10%
• The exercises count as 50% of the grade.

Exams need to be taken on the specified dates. Make-up exams will be allowed only with a medical excuse signed by a physician.

Quizzes will be announced at least one class before they're given.

Exercises need to be handed in on the date specified. Points will be subtracted from assignments handed in late.

• Active class participation and exceptional performance in term project will be rewarded with extra credits. However, if you miss a class without permission (prior to the class), you will loss 1 point (based on 100 points) per missing class.
• Final grade will be 90-100 (A), 80-89 (B), 70-79 (C), 60-69 (D), and less than 60 (F).
• October 24 is the last day to drop an individual course or withdraw from all classes and receive an automatic grade of "W".

Academic dishonesty policy:

All works must be original. Plagiarizing or cheating in any form will be reported and a failing mark will be assigned.

Tentative Schedule: