Course Outline

GEOG 142 - Environmental Applications of GIS


Fall Semester 2009

Basic Course Information
Courses numbered 1 - 49 are remedial or college preparatory courses which do not apply toward an A. A. Degree and are not intended for transfer. Courses numbered 50-99 apply toward an AA Degree, but are not intended for transfer. Courses numbered 100 and higher apply toward an AA Degree and/or are intended for transfer to a four-year college or university.

D - Credit - Degree Applicable
GEOG
Environmental Applications of GIS
Units and Hours
1
1
Grade/Pass/No Pass
Hour Type Units Weekly Hours Semester Hours x 16 Weeks Semester Hours x 18 Weeks
Lecture Category - 1.00 1.00 x 16 Weeks - 16.00 x 18 Weeks - 18.00
Lab Category - 0.00 0.00 x 16 Weeks - 0.00 x 18 Weeks - 0.00
Subtotal -   1.00 x 16 Weeks - 16.00 x 18 Weeks - 18.00
Out of Class Hour -   2.00 x 16 Weeks - 32.00 x 18 Weeks - 36.00
Totals -   3.00 x 16 Weeks - 48.00 x 18 Weeks - 54.00
Hour Type Units Weekly Hours Semester Hours x 16 Weeks Semester Hours x 18 Weeks
Lecture Category - 1.00 1.00 x 16 Weeks - 16.00 x 18 Weeks - 18.00
Lab Category - 0.00 0.00 x 16 Weeks - 0.00 x 18 Weeks - 0.00
Subtotal -   1.00 x 16 Weeks - 16.00 x 18 Weeks - 18.00
Out of Class Hour -   2.00 x 16 Weeks - 32.00 x 18 Weeks - 36.00
Totals -   3.00 x 16 Weeks - 48.00 x 18 Weeks - 54.00
Requisites
To satisfy a prerequisite, the student must have earned a letter grade of A, B, C or P(Pass) in the prerequisite course, unless otherwise stated.

Prerequisite: GEOG 120
Catalog Description
Provides students with knowledge and practical experience in the application of GIS in an environmental setting. We will explore how location-based GIS tools are used in many areas of environmental management such as natural disasters, biodiversity, water resources, and pollution. Case studies will be used to explore and understand how GIS is being used to help preserve the earth’s resources and environment.
Specific Course Objectives
Objective
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  • Analyze and identify the spatial patterns of some common environmental problems.
  • Acquire and evaluate spatial data essential to examining environmental concerns within a GIS.
  • Report projects results in a simple and concise manner that is understandable to policymakers.
  • Research and understand existing usage of GIS in environmental management.
  • Use GIS to improve conventional assessments of biodiversity, natural disaster responses, and water pollution issues.
Methods of Instruction
Methods of Instruction may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Demonstration
Discussion
Learning Modules
Lecture
Other (Specify)
Content in Terms of Specific Body of Knowledge
  1. Definition of Environmental GIS
    1. Nature of environmental problem
    2. Advantages of GIS in addressing environmental problems
    3. Limitations of GIS in addressing environmental problems
  2. Data Capture and Management
    1. Field surveys
    2. Global positioning system
  3. Analysis, Reporting, and Dissemination
    1. Arctoolbox
    2. ArcGIS extensions
    3. Map templates
    4. ArcGIS server
  4. Environmental applications and case studies
    1. Biodiversity loss and habitat assessment
    2. Natural disaster response
    3. Evaluating quantity and quality of water resources
    4. Modeling and tracing fate of pollutants
Textbooks/Resources
Textbook
Scally, Robert
GIS for Environmental Management
Redlands
ESRI Press
2006
Assignments
Students will be required to read a series of case studies which document previous applications of GIS in the areas of natural disasters, biodiversity, water resources, and pollution. In addition, students will be required to read news and journal articles in order to identify environmental issues that can be addressed with the help of GIS.
Subsequent to the completion of each learning module exercise, students are expected to produce a concise and informative writeup about their outputs. In addition, students will also practice their research writing skills by completing a 4 page essay that is required by the semester project.
In their semester projects, students will be required to not only critically review their own work and methods, but also the methods and results of previous studies. Furthermore, students will need to apply their classroom and textbook knowledge in order to complete the 8 learning module exercises that will be distributed throughout the semester.
Students must review and evaluate GIS case studies relevant to their semester projects. This will allow students to understand the background of their projects, and to learn about the proper ways to implement their own projects.
Methods of Assessment
Evaluation Method
  • Class Participation
  • Class Work
  • Exams/Tests
  • Homework
  • Papers
  • Research Projects
Open Entry/Open Exit
- Not Open Entry/Open Exit
Repeatability
No
Contact Person
Cheung, Wing H.