Intermediate GIS

(Spring 2004)

 

 

Lectures:

M 6:00–6:50 PM (ENV 110)

Labs (ENV 336):

M7–8:50P, T9–10:50A, T1-2:50P

 

 

Instructor:

Minhe Ji (ENV 310G)

Phone/Email:

(940) 565-2377 / jminhe@unt.edu

 

 

Webpage:

www.geog.unt.edu/~jminhe

Office Hours:

W and R: 1:00–2:30 PM         

 

 

TA:

Benjamin Witt (ENV 231)

Phone/Email:

(940) 369-7520 / baw0043@unt.edu

 

Course Objectives: Explore advanced GIS functions for spatial modeling and spatial analysis. Specifically, raster-based GIS operations, map algebra, and network analysis are introduced.  Various environmental and socioeconomic applications (environmental equity assessment, suitability analysis, soil loss prediction, hydrologic modeling, visibility analysis, three-dimensional viewing, etc.) using these spatial modeling and analysis techniques are demonstrated and practiced.  By completing the course, students will have gained fundamental knowledge of several major GIS analysis approaches and developed sophisticated GIS skills.

Prerequisite: GEOG 4500/5500 or consent of instructor.

Required Readings: DeMers, Michael N. 2002. GIS Modeling in Raster (DM), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., ISBN 0-471-31965-1.  Technical readings and explanation of how to operate a specific function in ArcGIS will mainly come from two ESRI’s digital books, Using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst (SA) and Using ArcGIS 3D Analyst (3D) (available under R:\CSAM\class\4500\DigitalBooks), and the ArcGIS desktop help and the workstation ArcInfo help, plus supplemental handouts.

Additional Requirements: (1) Students need to prepare at least two re-writable CD discs (CD RW) for holding homework assignments.  You may work with your data stored in your home directory in the G: drive of a CSAM computer and later transfer your entire work to the CD to be turned in.  (2) Graduate students are required to do one extra lab assignment in the beginning of the semester.

Instructor’s Expectation: Students are expected to read the assigned readings before class and attend every lecture and lab session. Skipping class may result in a serious interruption in your learning process and make you unable to keep up with the pace of the entire class.  Interactive learning and critical thinking are encouraged. Questions are welcome anytime in and outside of class. The WebCT site (webct.unt.edu) may be used as a forum for informal discussion after hours.  Students should be proficient in searching the ArcGIS desktop and workstation ArcInfo online technical documentation for the usage of ArcGIS functions.

Grade Structure: Five out of six labs (the lab with the lowest score will be dropped) – 50%, two exams – 30%, one course project – 20%. The score for late labs will be marked down 10% per day. Final grade will follow the 90-80-70-60 breakdowns. Class attendance records will be used to resolve borderlines.

Policy on Students with Disabilities: The Department of Geography, in cooperation with the Office of Disability Accommodation, complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in making reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. Please present your written accommodation request before the 12th class day so that I can make the necessary arrangement.

 

 

COURSE SCHEDULE AND READING/LAB ASSIGNMENTS

 

WEEK

MAJOR TOPIC

READING

 

Jan. 12

Course overview, course project, raster data models
Exercise: raster display, query and vector-raster data conversion
Lab 1: Environmental equity assessment

DM1, SA1

 

19

M. L. K. Holiday - No Class

DM2, SA2

 

26

Map Algebra and Cartographic Modeling
Exercise: Soil loss analysis
Lab 2: Modeling soil loss using the Universal Soil Loss Equation

DM3, SA6, SA7

 

Feb. 2

Local functions
Exercise: Lake volume calculation, land use change detection

DM4, SA3 ArcGRID Help

 

9

Focal functions, slope/aspect generation, density mapping
Exercise: Density mapping of UNT students living in Denton
Lab 3: Hotspot visualization for crime analysis

DM4, SA3 ArcGRID Help

 

16

Zonal and global functions
Exercise: Population estimation, distance-based cost analysis

DM4, SA3, SA7

 

23

Application functions (hydrologic analysis, generalization)
Exercise: Create hydrological features from DEM
Lab 4: Hydrological modeling (drainage network, basin, watershed)

DM4, SA3, SA7

 

March 1

Spatial interpolation (IDW, Spline, Kriging)
Exercise: Generate statistical surfaces from point data

DM4, SA7, 3D1-3

 

8

Midterm Exam

 

 

15

- Spring Break -

 

 

22

Surface representation and analysis
Exercise: Viewshed mapping, terrain profiling, cut-and-fill
Lab 5: Reservoir site selection and lake volume estimation

3D5-6

 

29

Surface three-dimensional rendering
Exercise: Using ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension

3D7

 

April 5

Network modeling and data structure
Exercise: Network generation and management
Lab 6: Network generation for market analysis

ArcGIS and ArcInfo Helps

 

12

Network-based location/allocation analysis
Exercise: Supply-demand balancing through a road network

ArcGIS and ArcInfo Helps

 

19

More about network analysis: trace, routing
Exercise: Power network application, street network application

ArcGIS and ArcInfo Helps

 

26

Pre-Final Week: Finishing up your course project

 

 

May 3

Final Exam (6 – 8 PM) and Course Project Due