Introduction

to Geographic Information Systems for Public Affairs.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course assists students to develop skills in information discovery and problem solving applying geographic information systems (GIS) to public affairs. Local, state and country governments face increasingly complex decision on how to maintain or regain economic prosperity. In a world with limited resources, governments seek to ensure social stability and achieve improvements in quality of life for most residents. An array of incentives and other efforts try to provide some tools towards these goals. The tools to be effective need to be tuned to the conditions and integrated with the available resources. Decision makers who design these policies in some instances have limited analytical resources. Facts and data in the US are abundant, but converting data into relevant and useful information requires time, skill, and judgment. A Geographic Information System can often facilitate this decision making by painting a clearer picture of the conditions and their analysis. How can a GIS be used to evaluate or help solve public affairs or policy questions? This course begins with a survey of geographic information, including maps, satellite imagery, census data, and tabular data. The class lecture discusses approaches to spatial data analysis and tools for integrating and examining spatially-explicit data. The course emphasis is on fundamental concepts of geographic information science and associated technologies. Topics include geographic data structure, cartography, remotely sensed data, statistical analysis of geographic data, spatial analysis, map design, and geographic information system software. GIS skills have proven to be helpful to the field of public affairs. Upon completion of this course, students should have the necessary skills to assemble relevant information, construct maps and perform analysis which can be used in a variety of settings. Students will be exposed to a variety of introductory GIS concepts and topics. Students who desire to know more about the theoretical basis of mapping should continue with more advanced GIS courses.

PREREQUISITES: One semester of college-level mathematics, including algebra and differential calculus, or its equivalent. Familiarity with computer spreadsheets, or willingness to devote out of class time to become familiar with using spreadsheets such as MS-Excel or Access. Familiarity includes recording data in a spreadsheet, performing simple calculations, and using the graphing functions. COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completing this course, you should be able to: 1. General Think critically about data. Articulate the role of GIS in public affairs and decision making. Apply a general GIS problem-solving framework to public affairs and decision problems. Select an appropriate array of datasets; analyze those datasets and create a map to help solve a given geospatial problem. Interpret and elaborate on the results of raster and vector models. Model, analyze and solve a real world decision problem using GIS.

2. Dataset Search and Selection Think about best datasets to solve a problem. Evaluate relevance and accuracy of a dataset based on its properties and metadata. Generate aggregate and derived datasets as needed for intermediates steps in solving a geo- spatial problem. Symbolize datasets in a map to best display the information conveying the story to the reader. Evaluate different data resolution, densities, dynamic labeling and annotations. Evaluate temporal differences in data

3. Get Information about Features Query the data within a GIS, database or spreadsheet to extract needed information. Join and relate attributes, tabular and geographically to extend the reach of your information.

4. Analyze feature relationships Interpretation and communication of feature relationships Analyze demographic and social data Analyze housing data Analyze economic data Analyze transportation data

Making sense of data Create, build and enhance a model.

5. Create and present data Design and build geodatabases Create and present features Edit and update features and attributes Geocode addresses Composing the information into a map Improve map layout to optimize the presentation

COMPUTER SOFTWARE 1. ArcGIS It is a software suite consisting of a group of GIS software products produced by ESRI. ArcGIS is a complete system for designing and managing solutions through the application of geographic knowledge. It is used for: creating and using maps; compiling geographic data; analyzing mapped information; sharing and discovering geographic information; using maps and geographic information in a range of applications; and managing geographic information in a database. A 180 day evaluation version can be used from ESRI or it is available at UTs geography Lab. ArcGIS will be extensively used during the course in the form of tutorial assignments. 2. Excel Spreadsheet programs, such as MS-Excel, can be used for data presentation and statistical analysis. (Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program is available on the computers in the LBJ computer lab located in the Public Affairs Library, and for purchase at the Campus Computer Store.) You will be expected to use a spreadsheet program for your some tabular manipulation and may be of assistance in you project. It is available for a variety of platforms. 3. Access Access is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. Some of the census data comes pre-staged to be assembled in Access. It may be useful for additional tasks in your project. 4. Statistical packages You are welcome to use other statistical analysis or management science programs to supplement any of your assignments. Some of the statistical analysis packages available on university computers include: Minitab, Lotus 1-2-3, Statistical Analysis System (SAS), and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The University Computation Center offers starter courses in using SPSS and SAS on a personal computer. A list of the course offerings for this semester is available via the Computation Center helpline or on the Internet at: http://www.utexas.edu/cc/training/trsscheds.html Or, check with a LBJ

Computer Lab Fellow. There is a bridge that can be used between SAS datasets and ArcGIS that may prove to be especially helpful for students familiar with SAS. EVALUATION There is no substitute for each student attending the class and learning the material by working through problems in the tutorial assignments. As you become more familiar with the material throughout the semester, you will find that you will become more efficient and spend less time each week on this class. Most of the tools will be presented at the beginning of the class; you will be applying them in a variety of ways through the rest of the semester. The teacher reserves the right to quiz the students randomly as an indication of how the material presented is assimilated by the class. Quizzes will be answered individually. There will be an intermediate project and a final project in which the students in groups will be able to demonstrate their mastery of the tools and their application to public policy geo-spatial problems.

All quizzes will be open notes, but time-limited. Tutorial assignments and projects are also open book/open notes. The quizzes will be return to the students on the next class and the correct answers will be reviewed.

Total of ten quizzes @ two points each Tutorial assignments Intermediate project Final project Class participation TOTAL

20 points 20 points 20 points 30 points 10 points 100 points

The minimum grading scale for the course is:

In order to pass this course, you need to score at least 60 points. It is possible, but not probable to pass the course without submitting tutorial assignments, intermediate or final project, but that would be detrimental for academic averages. Students are expected to participate in class, answer most of the quizzes, complete most of the tutorial assignments and submit both projects. POLICY ON SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY A quotation from University sources: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services web site at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/.

90% - 100% = A 80% - 89% = B 70% - 79% = C 60% - 69% = D Below 60% = F

HOURS All classes will be on Wednesday evenings, 6-8 pm in room SRH 3.316/350 . Lab will be one hour a week on Thursday evenings, 6-8 pm in room GRG 206. Quizzes reviews will be at the beginning of the next class after the quiz. Intermediate and final presentation projects are expected to last 30 minutes per group, with around 4 teams of students. Presentation will include verbal explanation, maps, graphics and a report on the findings. The size of the groups and the duration of the presentations will be finalized once the class size is established. COMMUNICATION The instructor is available for individual meetings each week on Mondays between 5:30 pm and 7:30 p.m. for those who have questions or comments about the class. He also volunteers to tutor students when needed and to assist students in dealing with homework or class content previous arrangement. He provides his cell phone number and e-mail below. The instructor encourages students to e-mail him if there are issues that ought not to wait until Monday or class. Instructor: Miguel Pavon The instructors assistant: TBD BIBLIOGRAPHY William E. Huxhold, Eric M. Fowler and Brian Parr, ArcGIS and the Digital City, A Hands-On Approach for Local Government , 2004, ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978- 1589480742. (512) 466-3936 mpavon@mail.utexas.edu

Gary Andahl, Disaster response, GIS for Public Safety, 2001, ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1879102880. Andy Mitchell, GIS Analysis Vol 1, Geographic Patterns and Relationships, 1999 ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1879102064. Andy Mitchell, GIS Analysis Vol 2, Spatial Measurements and Statistics, 2009 ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1589481169. Tim Ormsby, Eileen Napoleon, Robert Burke and Carolyn Groessl, Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop, second edition, updated for ArcGIS 10, 2010, ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1589482609. R.W. Greene, Open Access, GIS in e-Government, 2001 ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1879102873. Reginald G. Golledge and Robert J. Stimson, Spatial Behavior, A Geographic Perspective, 1997, The Guildford Press, 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012. ISBN 978-1572300507.

 Richard LeGates, Think Globally, Act Regionally, 2005, ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373- 8100. ISBN 978-1589481244 Heather McDonald and Alan Peters, Urban Policy and the Census, 2011, ESRI Press, 380 New York St, Redlands, CA 92373-8100. ISBN 978-1589482227.

Week 1

Overview of the course Review of Course Syllabus LectureGIS Basics Types of Featurespoints, lines and polygons GIS concepts and terminology Lab Assignment Setting up student folders and web page Lab 1 - Making your first map Creating a Layout and exporting your maps Posting to your website Tutorial Assignments Chapter 3 GTKAD10 Exploring ArcMap: e-mail screen-print of exercise 3c, step 15 (p. 50) Chapter 4 GTKAD10 Exploring ArcCatalog: e-mail screen-print of exercise 4c, step 20 (p. 86) Chapter 5 GTKAD10 Symbolizing features and rasters: e-mail screen-print of exercise 5d, step 18 (p.130) Chapter 6 GTKAD10 Classifying features and rasters: e-mail screen-print of exercise 6d, step 24 (p. 173) Please pay close attention to this assignment. It shows the 9 ways to display

information. Chapter 7 GTKAD10 Labeling features: e-mail screen-print of exercise 7c, step 12 (p. 200) Overview of Week 2 Layout Basics Data Sources Exploring the Links Page ESRI data ESRIs Census TIGER data Map Services Lab Assignment Working with Feature Layers Select by attribute, location and interactive selection method Create new layers; edit a layer Tutorial Assignments (Post by the end of Week 2) Chapter 8 GTKAD10 Querying data: e-mail screen-print of exercise 8c, step 16 (p. 227) Chapter 9 GTKAD10 Joining and relating tables: e-mail screen-print of exercise 9b, step 29 (p.254) Chapter 10 GTKAD10 Selecting features by location: e-mail screen-print of exercise 10b, step 25 (p. 275) Tips on Excel for GIS

Week 2

Week 3

Overview of Week 3 Midterm and Final Projects Explanation of requirements Proposal - Please submit a two page proposal for mid-term project via email to Miguel Pavon Methods of Classification LectureCensus Geography Data Source Census.gov American FactFinder Cartographic Boundary Files Lab Assignment Downloading and Joining Census Data Creating a comparison layout Tutorial Assignments Download Texas Census, Access pre-staged files and import the data to make it ready to be joined to GIS boundary files. Follow instructions at: www.census.gov/rdo/pdf/0HowToUseMicrosoftAccessShells.pdf and apply it to Texas 2010 census data. Microsoft Access database shell to import the 2010 Census Overview of Week 4 LectureRace and Ethnicity Data

Week 4

Data Sources Texas Natural Resources Information System Lab Assignment Geocoding, Buffer and Merge Tools Tutorial Assignments (Post by the end of Week 4) Chapter 11 GTKAD10 Preparing data for analysis: e-mail screen-print of exercise 11d, step 15 (p. 308) Chapter 12 GTKAD10 Analyzing spatial data: e-mail screen-print of exercise 12b, step 21 (p. 331) to Miguel Pavon Overview of Week 4 Presentation on Presentation Layouts Final Projects Requirements Proposal - Please submit a two page proposal for final project via email to Miguel Pavon LectureDeveloping a GIS Project Lab Assignment Building a Model to Extract Statistics from a Buffer Use the Modeling tool 2 Ways to Look at Model Building Tips on Model Readability

Week 5

Week 6

Overview of Week 5 Lecture Feature creation and edition. Traditional feature creation Feature edition Features from raster datasets or lidar Lab Assignment Tutorial Assignments Chapter 15 GTKAD10 Creating Features: e-mail screen-print of exercise 15b, step 27 (p. 413) Chapter 16 GTKAD10 Editing features and attributes: e-mail screen-print of attribute table on exercise 16b, step 19 (p. 434) to Miguel Pavon Overview of Week 5 Lecture Envisioning Information Explain work at the intersection of image, polygon, word, number, graphic and art. Presentations outside the box may be the best way to explain your out of the box ideas Lab Assignment Tutorial Assignments Lab work will be dedicated to finish/polish your mid-term project and presentation MIDTERM PRESENTATIONS - All students must present. No make-up dates.

Week 7

Week 8

 Midterm Presentation Schedule: First hour (Group 1 and Group 2) Second hour (Group 3 and Group 4)

Week 9

Overview of Week 7 Past Final Presentation Lecture - GIS as a multi-purpose tool Spatial Analyst and Hot Zone Analysis Introduction to Crime Analysis Lab Assignment Modeling Spatial Relationships Tutorial Assignments Chapter 17 GTKAD10 Geocoding addresses: e-mail exported JPG from layout of exercise 17b, step 19 (p. 463) and 17c step 15 (p. 471) Chapter 19 GTKAD10 Making maps for presentation: e-mail exported JPG from layout of exercise 19d, step 19 (p. 530) to Miguel Pavon Overview of Week 9 Lecture Helpful GIS Ideas/Registering an Image Data Sources Digital Elevation Models: USGS DEM files (recommended for analyses) Satellite Imagery - Terra Server, Google Earth Tips from for using Google Earth images in ArcMap (From ESRI Forums):

Week 10

 First Tip Second Tip Lab Assignment Reminder If your team topic has changed for your final, resubmit the proposal you used for your midterm with the new topic via email and discuss it with your teacher. Overview of Week 10 Lecture Helpful datasets National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) Aerial imagery - TNRIS Map Services Lab Assignment Work with digital infrared photography and generate a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), understand how it is important to assess the presence and extent of photosynthetic vegetation for diverse purposes. Overview of Week 11 Lecture Other kinds of remotely sensed data Lidar datasets Ifsar datasets Watersheds and floodplain, legal implications. Satellite Imagery, Spatial Analyst and Hillshade

Week 11

Week 12

Lab Assignment Download and evaluate LP360 from qcoherent.com Download sample Lidar data from TNRIS, Follow LiDAR directions and e-mail capture screen of your final result to Miguel Pavon. Overview of Week 12 Lecture Disaster Response GIS for public safety Assess Risk Map wildfires Monitoring emergencies in real time or near real time. Lab Assignment Introduction to the Texas Geospatial Emergency Management Support System (GEMSS) Overview of Week 13 Lecture GIS in e-Government Economic Development Planning and Zoning Environmental monitoring Law enforcement Property assessment

Week 13

Week 14

Lab Assignment Find and report your favorite sites on e-Government, critique accessibility, design, cartography and function. Justify why these sites are included in your report, making the cut, while others didnt. E-mail report to Miguel Pavon Overview of Week 14 Lecture GIS accountability Good reliable data Error discovery and mitigation Quality assurance (QA) and Quality control (QC) Ways to tilt the balance with maps Lab Assignment Polish you final project and wrap it (optional). Overview of Week 15

Week 15

Week 16

Apply your GIS knowledge and skills on a real-world project; Present the results of your analysis in an aesthetic and informative medium; and Measure comprehension of lecture and lab materials.

Lecture Course Review, questions, comments. Class Evaluations FINAL PRESENTATIONS Final Presentation Schedule:

First hour (Group 1 and Group 2) Second hour (Group 3 and Group 4)