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Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Research and acquire GIS data
2. Edit, query and analyze geographic and tabular data
3. Perform advanced spatial analysis using GIS technology
4. Customize software for spatial analysis queries
5. Create project layouts and query information using GIS techniques
6. Prepare and present a professional level GIS project with supporting data
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I. Introduction to research methods
A. Development of a research question
B. Literature review
C. Stages of a project
D. Scientific writing format
E. Publishing results
F. Professional liability and ethics
II. Data development
A. Data collection for research
B. Basic descriptive vs. inferential statistical methods
C. Analysis plan
D. Geographic data collection
E. Data editing and reduction cycles
F. Data summarization
G. Data flow
III. Model selection
A. Analysis type
B. Data compatibility
C. Pilot study
D. Final model(s)
E. Validity check
IV. Project summarization
A. Charts, tables, graphs, diagrams
B. Data compatibility
C. Slides as an outline
D. Map as a document
V. Project publication/documentation
A. Citing references
B. Documenting data sources
C. Listing errors and disclaimers
D. Ensuring data integrity
E. Meeting legal requirements
VI. Formal presentation
A. Know your audience, data and design
B. Content, relevance, format, timing, forum
Laboratory Topics and Scopes
I. ESRI Virtual Campus -- Two to three relevant topical mini courses that include readings,
summary and online exam submitted at the end of each mini-course.
A. Performing spatial interpolation
B. Creating prediction surfaces
II. Majority of remaining laboratory time is spent in providing one on one student interaction in
the areas of project assistance and software support.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing 20 - 30% |
Research reports | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 10 - 20% |
ESRI mini courses and lab assignments | |
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations 20 - 30% |
Demonstration of GIS related technology and its use, presentation of project progress | |
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams 20 - 50% |
Oral presentation of final research project and map(s) | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 0 - 0% |
None | |
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GIS Fundamentals, A First Text on Geographic Information Systems (5th). Bolstad, Paul. Eider Press: 2016
Lining Up Data in ArcGIS: A Guide to Map Projections (2nd). Maher, Margaret. ESRI Press: 2013
Modeling Our World: the ESRI Guide to Geodatabase Concepts (2nd). Zeiler, Michael. ESRI Press: 2010 (classic)
An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography (2nd). Montello, D. Sage Publications Inc.: 2012
Selected Articles and Scholarly Publications