Advanced GIS

GEOG 407
Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Scott D. Bassett
Office: Mackey Science 223
Phone: 784-1434
E-mail: sbassett@unr.edu
Office Hours: T and H 10:30-11:30
Teaching Assistant
Daniel Behnke (danlbehnke@gmail.com ), Office hours: W and F 1:00-2:00

Course Description
This course is an undergraduate level course directed at developing more advanced Geographic
Information Systems skills. The class is not introductory and students will begin using more
advanced analysis tools in ESRI GIS software (ArcGIS 10.3). GIS visualization techniques,
animation, web map serving, and python scripting will all be introduced. Applications of the
technology for scientific discovery and exploration will be used as case study examples.
Additionally, the impacts of the use of GIS technology to portray and assess scientific principles
will be provided. The use of GIS for society’s benefit is highlighted mainly in the form of access
to spatial information and impacts of scientific assessments with a spatial emphasis on human
populations. It is important that you have passed the prerequisite for this course, GEOG 405, or
have qualifying experience, as we will use little time to review introductory GIS concepts and
methods. Lab activities will familiarize students with GIS tools to the degree where students
completing the course should be able to conduct their own analysis using GIS. Labs go beyond
software training and are intended to provide you with a method for addressing scientific and
societal interests. Course activities will culminate in a final project to be prepared by each
student on their own with the help of the instructor and teaching assistant.

Catalog Description
Advanced tools, data management, and functions in geographic information systems (GIS)
(ArcGIS); topics in spatial data analysis, 3d-visualization, and modeling of geographic
information science (GISci).

Prerequisites
• Completion of Core Curriculum Objectives: #1 Effective Composition & Communication
and #3 Critical Analysis & Use of Information
• Completion of Geog 405, GIS.

Course Objective and Goals

In this course students will meet Silver Core Curriculum Objective #9 Science, Technology &
Society.
Core Objective 9 (Science, Technology & Society): Students will be able to connect science and
technology to real-world problems by explaining how science relates to problems of societal
concern; be able to distinguish between sound and unsound interpretations of scientific
information; employ cogent reasoning methods in their own examinations of problems and
issues; and understand the applications of science and technology in societal context.
Goal 1. Provide general skillsets using visualization, animation, web serving and scripting.
Goal 2. Enhance student’s abilities to initiate and complete a GIS project from proposal to end
product which contains sound reasoning in the use of methods.
Goal 3. Prepare students to perform GIS services in a work environment.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:
SLO 1: Define what constitutes a spatial analysis using GIS.
SLO 2: Understand how GIS technology is implemented and the ArcGIS 10.3 software
framework.
SLO 3: Complete research-based analysis utilizing main-stream GIS technology to address a
scientific topic of societal concern. (CO 9)

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

• SLO 3 is evaluated based on the completed final GIS analysis project paper. The paper
must demonstrate how GIS technology is used within a scientific field to address a
potential societal concern through quantitative measures. Assessment of the responses
will be done using the guideline described on the UNR Core Objective 9: Science,
Technology & Society webpage which states: “writing in response to case studies that
requires students to explain and/or analyze the impact or influence of science and/or
technology in 1 or more social contexts (e.g., local, regional, national, international)”.
SLO 3 Rubric:
Exceeds Meets Expectations Does Not Meet
Expectations Expectations
4 (Exemplary) 3 (Good) 2 (Developing) 1 (Inadequate)
Understanding of Demonstrates a Demonstrates an Demonstrates a Demonstrates a
use of case study detailed evidence- understanding of partial minimal
to analyze the based how GIS understanding of understanding of
impact or understanding of technology is used how GIS how GIS
influence of how GIS in conjunction technology in technology in
technology on technology in with scientific data conjunction with conjunction with
decision making conjunction with to address a spatial scientific data is scientific data is
scientific data is issue of societal used to address a used to address a
used to address a interest; compares spatial issue of spatial issue of
spatial issue of descriptive societal interest; societal interest;
societal interest; measures. acknowledges how no
analyzes and comparisons may acknowledgement
compares be made. of measures for
measures. comparison.

Required Text(s)
Gorr, W. L. and K. S. Durland. 2013. GIS Tutorial 1: Basic Workbook. ESRI Press.
Allen, D. W. 2013. GIS Tutorial 2: Spatial Analysis Workbook. ESRI Press.
Allen, D. W. and J. M. Coffey. 2010. GIs Tutorial 3: Advanced Workbook. ESRI Press.

Assignments
Seven labs will be conducted at the start of the semester. A single project must be prepared by
each student and approximately half of the labs and a third of the lecture time will be dedicated
to the completion of the term project. Each project must be conducted such that scientific
data/information is utilized within a GIS to address a societal concern of a spatial nature. The
project must be approved by the instructor via the topic and proposal. Subsequently, each
student will be required to submit a single paragraph description of their topic with an associated
title by September 5th and the topic will be reformulated and submitted as a proposal on October
10th. The reformulated topic must explicitly state what type of GIS technology is used (the
tools), the scientific interest being addressed and how the fusing of the scientific interest with
GIS technology addresses a societal concern. Each student will present their project on either
December 6th (last lab day) or December 10th (Our last day of class).

Assignments Undergrad (%)

Labs (7 labs 10 points each) 70 (26%)
Project Topic (10 points) 10 (04%)
Project Proposal (30 points) 30 (12%)
Project Presentation (50 points) 50 (19%)
Project Write-up (100 points) 100 (39%)
Total 260 (100%)

Policy Regarding Late Work

No late assignments or labs will be accepted.

Grades
93-100% (4.0) =A 90-92.9% (3.7) = A-
87-89.9 (3.3) = B+ 83-86.9 (3.0) =B
80-82.9 (2.7) = B- 77-79.9 (2.3) = C+
73-76.9 (2.0) =C 70-73.9 (1.7) = C-
67-69.9 (1.3) = D+ 63-66.9 (1.0) =D
60-63.9 (0.7) = D- Below 60 (0.0) =F

Lecture Attendance Policy: All students must attend class. The instructor and teaching
assistant are not responsible for describing unfamiliar classroom material to students who
selectively do not attend class.
Tardiness: Please be on time. Coming late or leaving early is a sign of disrespect, and it
disturbs everybody in the classroom. If you intend on leaving class early please let me know at
the start of class so I expect it.
Digital Devices: No digital devices are permitted in class except those used for note taking.
Therefore, during lecture time you cannot (1) use a cell phone-if you must have your phone on to
wait for a call and it comes in, please quietly pick up your stuff and leave the room to answer, (2)
tap on your laptop to such a degree that it disturbs other students, and (3) listen to music-remove
those earpieces before entering the class.
Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses
constitute academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic dishonesty
will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a student's enrollment without a grade,
giving an F for the course or for the assignment. For more details, see the University of Nevada,
Reno General Catalog.
Disability Services: Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or
accommodations is requested to speak with me or the Disability Resource Center (Thompson
Building, Suite 101) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Success Services: Your student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or
www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/), and
University Writing Center (784-6030 or http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/). These centers
support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to take advantage of their services.
Keep in mind that seeking help outside of class is the sign of a responsible and successful
student.
Audio and Video Recording: Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized
audio recording of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be
videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to
accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class
lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class
may be recorded.
 GIS I (GEOG 407/607)
Week 1 Lecture: Class Overview and Review of GIS techniques
August 26 Reading: Chapter 6, GIS Tutorial 1
Lab 1
Week 2 Lecture: Review of maps and map animation
September 2 Reading: Chapters 3, GIS Tutorial 1
Lab 2 Project Topic Due
Week 3 Lecture: 3D Analyst
September 9 Reading: Chapter 10, GIS Tutorial 1
Lab 3
Week 4 Lecture: Analyzing Patterns, human and natural landscapes
September 16 Reading: Chapter 8, GIS Tutorial 2
Lab 4
Week 5 Lecture: Geodatabase Creation, structured to address a
September 23 scientific and human population data
Lab 5 Reading: Chapter 1, GIS Tutorial 3
Week 6 Lecture: Toolbar Customization
September 30 Reading: Chapter 6, GIS Tutorial 3
Lab 6
Week 7 Lecture: Python Scripting
October 7 Reading: None (Python Scripting for ArcGIS—helpful)
Lab 7 Project Proposal Due
Week 8 Lecture: Proposal Presentations
October 14 Reading:
Self Lab
Week 9 Lecture: Web Mapping, importance to human navigation
October 21 Reading: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/flex-
No Lab viewer/concepts/index.html#//01m300000015000000
Nevada Day
Week 10 Lecture: GIS Topics (natural environment and human interest
October 28 overlays—conflicts and collaborations)
Self Lab Reading: None (Python Scripting for ArcGIS—helpful)

Week 11 Lecture: GIS Topics (analysis of wildlife distributions)

November 4 Reading: None
Self Lab
Week 12 Lecture: GIS Topics (transportation and human movement)
November 11 Reading: None
Self Lab
Week 13 Lecture: GIS Topics (hydrology and human water use)
November 18 Reading: None
Self Lab
Week 14 Lecture: GIS Applications for social networks (marketing
November 25 implications of spatial location)
No Lab Reading: None
Thanksgiving week
Week 15 Lecture: Lecture time used as lab time
December 2 Project Presentations—During Lab
No Lab Reading: None
Week 16 Lecture: Project Presentations—No Labs
December 9 Reading: None
Final Document write-up due during Final Time on Dec. 17