Instructor:
John Radke

Lecture (CCN 48557): TT 3:30 – 5:00P A1 Hearst Field Annex

See Online Schedule for Lab Times

Units: 4

The course is designed to introduce the student to the rapidly expanding field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It addresses both theory and application and provides the student with a framework within which spatial problems can be identified and solutions generated. A Geographic information system is not merely an electronic tool kit designed to direct and facilitate the research interests of scientists and planners. Rather, GIS are a continually evolving, dynamic analytical framework within which data and information are gathered, interpreted, and manipulated, providing the researcher with a comprehensive medium where space, time and information may be integrated. This course will emphasize a conceptual appreciation of Geographic Information Systems and offer an opportunity to apply some of those concepts to contemporary geographical and planning issues.

A clear definition of GIS begins by defining its component terms:

The term geographic implies at the very least notions of dealing with the surface of the earth. A realistic generalization of this term might expand the idea of the earth's surface to include notions of dealing with the concept of space itself.

Information is knowledge acquired from facts and data. These facts and data are characteristics abstracted from phenomena understudy. Collecting, assembling and integrating these data provides knowledge and intelligence about the phenomena being studied.

A system is a method, plan or procedure with operational rules to establish order and assemble a set or arrangement of data. If the data integration results in knowledge and contains information of a spatial nature, then the system is a GIS. Although a GIS need not be automated, the contemporary definitions in the literature state or imply the notion of a computer based system.

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) defines GIS as follows: a system, usually computer-based, for the input, storage, retrieval, analysis and display of interpreted geographic data. The database is typically composed of map-like spatial representations often called coverages or layers. These layers may involve a three-dimensional matrix of time, location, and attribute or activity. A GIS may include digital line graph (DLG) data, digital elevation models (DEM), geographic names, land-use characterizations, land ownership, land cover, registered satellite and/or aerial photography along with other associated or derived geographic data. [FGDC, 1994].

Course Structure:
The course consists of both a lecture and 'hands-on' laboratory sessions each week. The lectures will discuss spatial theory, models and decomposition, as well as methods and applications of GIS. The laboratory sessions will provide a practical introduction to tools used to gather, assemble, encode, analyze and map spatial data.

Topics Covered:
* Data discovery; data sources; data gathering; data organization; data management and control.
* Information, systems and space; spatial sampling; spatial and non-spatial data structures; spatial dimension encoded as points, lines and polygons; scale; spatial characterization and association.
* Database and project design; data gathering; database construction; geo-positioning; global positioning systems (GPS); map projections; digitizing existing published maps; spatial data formats; spatial data standards; data translation; data quality, precision and accuracy; boundary and data error.
* Remote sensing; classification analysis; ancillary data.
* Data dictionaries, meta data and standards.
* Spatial operations; measurement; classification; polygon overlay; disaggregation and dissolve.
* Spatial analysis; modeling techniques and landscape characterization.
* Surface models; interpolation; location and allocation.
* Data output and map construction; output formats and output devices.
* Caveats, common failures and new directions in GIS.

Course Restrictions:
This course does not have a limit on enrollment at this time. Attempts will be made to accommodate all interested students. There are four laboratory sections, which can accommodate 20 students each. There are 10 workstations available during each laboratory session. Student enrollment will determine whether additional laboratory sections will be added.

Prerequisites:
Prior experience with computers is required. Although laboratory assignments during the term can be successfully completed by using two of the four available hardware platforms, additional flexibility will be to your advantage.

Course Text:
Burrough, Peter, 1998, Principles of Geographic Information Systems
Oxford University Press

Laboratory Manual:
Available in laboratory session.

Evaluation:
Laboratory assignments - 40%
Mid-term - 20%
Final Exam - 40%

The GIS Laboratory Facility:
212 Wurster Hall

Laboratory Manager:
Juergen Steyer jsteyer@berkeley.edu

Laboratory Access:
Each student enrolled in the course must purchase access for the term. The cost is $20 deposit on an access keycard and $40 for the term. Forms will be available the first week of class. A signature from the Laboratory Manager, Teaching Assistant or Instructor is required to gain access. Access is 24 hours/day during the term. Student computer accounts will be deactivated when laboratory keycard access is not current.

Computer Accounts:
The Laboratory Manager will assign Computer Accounts.

Application Software:
The two main software systems used in the laboratory will be:
1) Intergraph's MicroStation for digital mapping, and
2) Environmental Systems Research Institute's ArcView and Arc/Info GIS software used to automate, manipulate, analyze, and display geographic data in map form.

Hardware:
Computers: The GIS laboratory has four types of computers, MAC, PC, SUN and DEC workstations. It is difficult to distinguish between classes of hardware platforms as computer chips themselves are no longer an accurate metric. Most students are familiar with MAC and PC workstations running a simple window based operating system. The SUN and DEC computers run a more complicated operating system called UNIX. However, we will use a window-based interface on top of UNIX and the transition from MAC and PC to SUN and DEC should be agreeable.

Digitizers: Numonics (36x48inches)
Numonics (24x36inches)

Printers/Plotters:
HP Laserjet 4200 (black/white, letter-sized);
HP ColorLaserJet 5550 (11x17 inches) - Most laboratory assignments
HP Designjet 1050 (Color - 36x48inches) - Optional assignment