COURSE OUTLINE FOR CREDIT COURSE

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.

Discipline: GEOG
Course Number: 136
Title: Intermediate ArcGIS: GIS Analysis

Units and Hours

Units: 2.00
Grade Option: Grade/Pass/No Pass
Course Length in Weeks: Min Weeks - 16 Max Weeks - 18
Min Semester Hours
Hour Type
Hours
Min Semester Hours
Max Semester Hours
Lecture Category
1.00
16.00
18.00
Lab Category
3.00
48.00
54.00
Subtotal
4.00
64.00
72.00
Out of Class Hour
2.00
32.00
36.00
Totals
6.00
96.00
108.00
Max Semester Hours
Hour Type
Hours
Min Semester Hours
Max Semester Hours
Max Lecture Category
1.00
16.00
18.00
Max Lab Category
3.00
48.00
54.00
Max Subtotal
4.00
64.00
72.00
Max Out of Class Hour
2.00
32.00
36.00
Max Totals
6.00
96.00
108.00

Grading Basis: Grade/Pass/No Pass
Basic Skills Requirements: Appropriate Language and/or Computational Skills.

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
Corequisite (Course required to be taken concurrently): None
Prerequisite: (Completion of, or concurrent enrollment in): None
Recommended Preparation: None
Limitation on Enrollment (e.g. Performance tryout or audition): None

Catalog Description

Focus on performing complex operations using the ArcGIS software. Students will gain hands-on experience in advanced querying operations, Spatial Analyst and Network Analyst, coordinate geometry, ArcGIS ModelBuilder, and the application of ArcGIS in a variety of disciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students should be able to define GIS overlay, and its importance in GIS analysis.
  2. Students should be able to list two benefits of implementing GIS workflows using modelbuilder.

Specific Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  1. Analyze complex geographic patterns using ArcGIS.
  2. Describe and use the functional capabilities of ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and Network Analyst.
  3. Construct and analyze raster datasets using GIS.
  4. Represent and analyze logical data models using vector and raster datasets.
  5. Construct and analyze datasets using kernels and overlay operations.
  6. Construct and evaluate triangulated irregular networks (TIN's).
  7. Created geographic features using coordinate geometry descriptions.
  8. Analyze spatial data using advanced GIS toolsets and extensions.
  9. Design and implement multiple criteria methods for GIS decision making.
  10. Construct and analyze spatial support systems for decision making.
  11. Document and automate GIS workflow using ModelBuilder.
  12. Geocode addresses and other spatial information using GIS.
  13. Implement topology to ensure the spatial integrity of data.
  14. Perform suitability analyses and create basic analytical models in GIS.

Methods of Instruction

Methods of Instruction may include, but are not limited to, the following
  1. Demonstration
  2. Learning Modules
  3. Lecture/Lab
  4. Guest Speakers

Content in Terms of Specific Body of Knowledge

  1. Nature of raster data
    1. Managing raster data
      1. Displaying surfaces
      2. Creating surface models
      3. Data integrity
    2. Analyzing surfaces
      1. Performing spatial analysis
        1. ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
        2. ArcGIS Network Analyst
        3. ModelBuilder
        4. Python scripting
      2. Map algebra and kernel analyses
      3. Review of functions and spatial queries
  2. Essentials of analytical modeling
    1. Evaluating and implementing models in ArcGIS
    2. GIS modeling considerations and limitations
      1. Cell-based modeling
  3. Troubleshooting spatial conflicts
  4. Advanced visualization tools

Textbooks/Resources

Textbooks
  1. Allen, David. GIS Tutorial 2: Spatial Analysis Workbook. 2nd Esri Press, 2010.
  2. Chang, Kang-tsung. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. 8th McGraw-Hill, 2015.

Assignments

Required Reading:
Students are required to review scholarly and professional articles documenting the innovative use of GIS in various disciplines. Potential sources of articles include research engines (e.g. EBSCO, Google Scholar) and academic journals (e.g. Transactions in GIS, International Journal of Geographical Information Science).

Required Writing:
One or more assignments chosen from the following options: -Article Review (2 - 3 page essay) -Case Study Analysis (2 - 3 page essay) -Semester Project (5 - 6 page term paper)

Critical Thinking:
Student will be asked to analyze assigned case studies, and evaluate the case studies' choice of data models, tools, and methods.

Outside Assignments:
Outside assignments will include reading texts, review of lecture notes, writing assignments, GIS computer lab assignments, and exam preparation. 4 hours per week

Students are expected to spend a minimum of three hours per unit per week in class and on outside assignments, prorated for short-term classes.

Methods of Assessment

Methods of Assessment may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Lab Activities
  3. Papers
  4. Projects
  5. Research Projects

Open Entry/Open Exit

Not Open Entry/Open Exit

Repeatability

Course is Repeatable for Reasons other than a Deficient Grade? No

Contact Person

Wing H. Cheung