Intro to Geospatial Tech - Index

General Information

Instructor: J. Lopez-Jimenez, Ph.D.

Telephone:

507-389-1890

507-382-0497

Office:

218 I Armstrong Hall

Electronic mail:

jose.lopez@mnsu.edu

If I am not in my office, please call

507-382-0497

Required Textbook:

Shellito, Bradley A.

Introduction to Geospatial Technologies.

MacMillan Learning.

Course Objectives

This gateway course introduces students to cutting-edge technologies associated with Geographic Information Science (GISc). Instruction is provided on numerous geographic data collection methods, digital mapping to understand humanenvironment interactions, terrain mapping for topographical modeling, geospatial data visualization to understand complex processes, geoanalytics to strengthen geospatial thinking, and the challenges of spatio-temporal data. Foundational knowledge is introduced mostly through lectures but there will be plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and practice. This prepares students for higher-level courses on Cartography, Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) offered by the Department of Geography.

The goal of this course is to introduce several aspects of geospatial technologies—not only what they are and how they operate but also how they are used in hands-on applications. In other words, the course covers a little bit of everything, from theory to application. Each week, we will cover one aspect of geospatial technology with an accompanying geospatial lab application.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the semester, students will be able to describe the real-world applications of geospatial technology from at least four different job fields; explain the difference between geospatial data and non-spatial data; explain what a geographic information system (GIS) is; define what aerial photography and remote sensing are; and describe the highlights of how aerial photography and remote sensing developed.

Course Requirements

Readings: Students should read the relevant material in the textbook before it is covered in lecture. It is the responsibility of the individual student to attend each class session, to actively participate in a "learning team," and to be prepared to enter into a discussion of the material under consideration.

Exams

Test questions may be definitions, multiple-choice, matching, or map questions. They will cover materials discussed in your text and in supplemental assigned readings.

Grading

Your performance in the following four areas will determine your final course grade:

Exam 1 - 15% of course grade

Exam 2 - 15% of course grade

Exam 3 - 15% of course grade

Final exam - 15% of course grade

Activities/quizzes - 40% of course grade

Course Policies and Rules

It is my policy that disrespectful behavior, lack of consideration towards the participants of the course, tardiness, or any disturbance on your part will influence my decision regarding your final grade.

Attendance is not mandatory, but you are highly advised to attend. If you want to succeed in this course, you should come to every session. While about 90% of the material covered by the lectures could be found in the course book, some topics are not sufficiently covered by the text.

Even though attendance is not mandatory, points will be deducted for those students who leave class early, especially on days that test and quiz grades are returned (permission to leave early is required). I prefer that you are absent instead of having to witness students leaving the classroom disrespectfully.

Past experience indicates that grades correlate with attendance and an absence on a test day is detrimental to one's grade.

Please, consult any of your classmates for notes or handouts distributed during lecture if you miss a class session. Do not visit my office asking for old handouts. My duties during office hours are to clarify concepts and answer questions pertinent to tests or assignments, not tutoring (private instruction).

Under special circumstances, I will make electronic notes and Power Point slides available (you are expected to make an office appointment with me, and bring a PC-formatted disk or an USB flash drive so you can copy the lecture files). If you were absent, I would give you copies of the class notes or a make-up quiz if you provide a documented valid excuse.

Valid excuses include

• personal illness, as verified by a valid medical excuse;

• death or critical illness in the immediate family;

• participation in a university-sponsored activity;

• military service;

• law enforcement or public safety service.

If you examine MSUM’s Student Handbook (the “Students’ Responsibilities” section), you will find that:

“Individuals will respect and foster the academic endeavors of others. Minnesota State Mankato exists to promote learning, and as such, students must behave in such a way so as to allow the process of learning to take place by group or individual. Examples of violations include but are not limited to: harassment of a faculty member; disrupting teaching or learning; excessive noise that disrupts classes, studying or University activities; other activities that seriously disrupt the educational process; intentionally altering, inhibiting, or stealing another person's research.”

Cell phone use (of any kind – voice, texting, calculator, or photography…) is prohibited during class. Phones must be turned off or at least set them not to make noise during class time.

The following activities are not to be engaged in during class because they are disruptive and detract from the learning focus of the course: listening to distracting electronic devices such as MP3 players, I-Pods, CD players, Walkman radios, electronic games, pagers, Facebook/My Space surfing, internet, faxing, or web browsing. In essence, all students are required to turn off laptop computers before class starts to avoid distracting activities. Reading the newspaper or other materials not related to the course is not permitted during the lecture. Audio or video recording of lectures is not permitted.

Side conversations are discourteous to classmates, instructors, and guests. Conversations between classmates while I instruct won't be tolerated and I will ask disruptive students to leave the classroom if I deem it necessary. A student may be dropped from a course by the administration if disrespectful behaviors persist and I recommend this action. Raised voices, temper tantrums, and rude behavior will not change my 24-year-old policy.

Class time will be reserved for the definition of concepts, discussion of topics, and explanation of analytical techniques. Office hours are devoted to answering your questions.

There may be in-class assignments or quizzes, which are a portion of your course average grade. I give these occasional quizzes during the last 15 minutes of the session, throughout the semester. I am not obligated to announce most quizzes in advance.

Quizzes and assignments may differ in value (points) depending on their complexity. Do not expect that an elementary assignment will have the same worth as a more complicated exercise.

Late or make-up exams will only be given in verifiable cases of hardship or illness (you need to provide a note from the physician, court, or police department to demonstrate a legitimate reason for your absence). Projects or exercises turned in late after the original assignment has already been graded and returned will be worth zero points. There will not be any make-up quizzes or group activities. However, if you miss only one quiz, that zero won't be included during the calculation of the final grade (remember you have only one chance!).

The course is lecture format, not cooperative learning. Geography is a different type of science that involves very specific facts and theories. Basically, come to class, listen to the lecture, and take notes. Stop me (politely!) if I go too fast or if you have a question. The type of participation that I expect from you could be asking good questions, providing helpful facts during the discussion of concepts, and clarifying ideas that might be considered complex by other students.

The syllabus serves as a guideline and is subject to change, depending on circumstances as the semester progresses.

If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825.

Reading Schedule

       Part 1 Geospatial Data and GPS

       Exam 1:  September 20.

       Part 2 Geographic Information Systems

       Exam 2: October 18

       Part 3 Remote Sensing

       Exam 3: November 17

       Part 4 Geospatial Applications

       Exam 4: December 6, 10:15 am.

Grading Criteria

4 points (A+)

3.75 points (A)

3.5 points (A-)

3.25 points (B+)

3 points (B)

2.75 points (B-)

2.5 points (C+)

2.25 points (C)

2 points (C-)

1.75 points (D+)

1.5 points (D)

1.25 points (D-)

0 points (F)