Geographic Information Systems | An-Najah Staff

Geographic Information Systems

EMAD DAWWAS's picture

Sun, 2013-09-01 18:05 — Emad Basheer Dawwas

Course Code:

61221

Course Outline:

Course Contents	The course includes practical training on selected issues of environmental and urban issues with the focus on data collection, storage, analysis and presentation using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course also includes applications of theoretical and practical knowledge of spatial analysis.
Course Objectives	The main objective of the course is to strengthen the theoretical knowledge and developing the practical sense of spatial analysis. Students are expected to gain the necessary knowledge and techniques about different types of spatial data analysis. In addition, students are expected to apply knowledge gained in a practical project.
Learning Outcomes and Competences	An ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret spatio-temporal data.			B	50
	An ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs using GIS techniques, skills.			C, K	30
	An ability to identify, formulate, and solve geospatial problems.			E	10
	An ability to communicate effectively.			G	10
Textbook and References	Bolstad, P. (2007). GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems , 3rd Edition. Eider Press. Booth, B. & Mitchel, A. (2001). Getting Started with ArcGIS. ESRI Press. Burrouch, P. (1986). Principles of Geographical Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment. Clarenson Press. DeBy, R., Knippers, R. & Sun, Y. (2001). Principles of Geographic Information Systems: An Introductory Textbook. ITC Educational Textbook Series 1. ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) (2002). Using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst. ESRI Press. Foresman, T. (1998). The History of Geographic Information Systems: Perspectives from the Pioneers. Prentice Hall PTR. Hrmon, J. & Anderson, S. (2003). The Design and Implementation of Geographic Information Systems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Ormsby, T., Napoleon, E., Burke, B. & Groessl, C. ( 2010). Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop. ESRI Press. Steinberg, S. J. & Steinberg, S. L. (2006). Geographic Information Systems for the Social Sciences: Investigating the Space and Place. SAGE Publications.
Assessment Criteria		If any, mark as (X)	Percent (%)
	Midterm Exams	X	30
	Quizzes
	Homework	X	10
	Projects	X	10
	Term Paper
	Laboratory Work
	Others
	Final Exam	X	50
Instructors	Dr. Emad Dawwas

Number of weeks	Topic	Subtopic	Readings	Assignments* & Exercises**
2 weeks (W1 &W2)	Introduction to GIS	- The evolution of GIS and its academic origins - What is GIS - Components of GIS - Fields of GIS applications	CH1 & CH3 in Foresman (1998); CH1 in Steinberg & Steinberg (2006)	In two pages describe how GIS relate to your field of interest
2 weeks (W1 &W2)	Lab	Exploring Arc Map and Arc Catalogue	CH1 to CH4 in Ormsby et. al. (2010)	Describe at least 10 different tools with one example for each tool.
2 weeks (W3 &W4)	Spatial Referencing Systems and Projections	- Introduction - Principles of Geodesy and Spatial -Referencing Systems - Describing Coordinate Referencing Systems and Projections	CH3 in Bolstad (2007)	In two pages make a comparison between three commonly used map projections.
2 weeks (W3 &W4)	Lab	Geo-referencing and Projecting Spatial Data	CH13 in Ormsby et. al. (2010)	Scan a paper map or a satellite image or an aerial photo, then georeference it based on another georeferenced map or image
2 weeks (W5 &W6)	Spatial Database Structures and Data Models	-Vector data model - Raster data model - Vector vs. raster data models	CH2 in Burrouch (1986); CH2 in DeBy et. al. (2001)	Select a hypothetical case study and justify your selection of vector and/or raster data models
	Spatial Database Structures and Data Models		CH2 in Burrouch (1986); CH2 in DeBy et. al. (2001).
	Lab	Introducing basic vector and raster tools	CH5 to CH7 in Ormsby et. al. (2010)	Digitize different objects on your scanned image from the previous lab exercise
2 weeks (W7,8)	Vector Data Analysis	- Topology - Attribute based analysis - Levels of measurements - Vector spatial operations	CH 4 in Hrmon & Anderson (2003); CH 9 in Bolstad (2007)	From the previous assignment, what vector spatial operations, attribute based analysis and level of measurement might be included in your methodology? How will they be implemented?
2 weeks (W7,8)	Lab	Working with attributes and geoprocessing: investigating Data Management and Data Analysis toolboxes	CH8 to CH12 in Ormsby et. al. (2010)	Add attributes to objects you created in the previous exercise. Run some meaningful vector operations and show the results clearly
2 weeks (W9,W10)	Raster Data Analysis	- Introduction to Map Algebra - Raster spatial operations	CH 9 and CH 10 in Bolstad (2007) (need scanning)	From the previous assignment, what raster spatial operations might be included? How will they be implemented?
2 weeks (W9,W10)	Lab	Working with raster data: investigating spatial analyst toolbox	ESRI (2002)	Run some meaningful raster operations and show the results clearly
2 weeks (W11, W12)	Applications of GIS	- Case studies related to the students’ interests. - Planning a GIS project	Selected Journal Papers	In two to three pages, summarize one of the assigned readings
2 weeks (W11, W12)	Lab	In class mini projects	CH14 to CH19 in Ormsby et. al. (2010)	Final project proposal and preliminary presentations
4 weeks (W13, W14, W15)	GIS in Practice	- Data collection and assembling - Data preparation - Data analysis - Data presentation		No assignment
4 weeks (W13, W14, W15)	Lab	Working on the final project	CH4 to CH 8 in Booth, B. & Mitchel, A. (2001)	Final project submission and final presentations
* Students are required to present their results in the class on 5 to 10 ppt slides ** All lab exercises must be finished and submitted by the end of each lab session

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