Introduction To Geographic Information Science

[Earleen Statham]

Whatif we are interested in knowing whether countries with a high conflict index score are geographically clustered, does the above table provide us with enough information to help answer this question? The answer, of course, is no. We need additional data pertaining to the geographic location and shape of each country. A map of the countries would be helpful.

Maps are ubiquitous: available online and in various print medium. But we seldom ask how the boundaries of the map features are encoded in a computing environment? After all, if we expect software to assist us in the analysis, the spatial elements of our data should be readily accessible in a digital form. Spending a few minutes thinking through this question will make you realize that simple tables or spreadsheets are not up to this task. A more complex data storage mechanism is required. This is the core of a GIS environment: a spatial database that facilitates the storage and retrieval of data that define the spatial boundaries, lines or points of the entities we are studying. This may seem trivial, but without a spatial database, most spatial data exploration and analysis would not be possible!

A popular commercial GIS software is ArcGIS developed by ESRI (ESRI, pronounced ez-ree),was once a small land-use consulting firm which did not start developing GIS software until the mid 1970s. The ArcGIS desktop environment encompasses a suite of applications which include ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcScene and ArcGlobe. ArcGIS comes in three different license levels (basic, standard and advanced) and can be purchased with additional add-on packages. As such, a single license can range from a few thousand dollars to well over ten thousand dollars. In addition to software licensing costs, ArcGIS is only available for Windows operating systems; so if your workplace is a Mac only environment, the purchase of a Windows PC would add to the expense.

For example, you record the location of each tree in a well definedstudy area. You then map the location of each tree (a GIS task).At this point, you might be inclined to make inferences about theobserved pattern. Are the trees clustered or dispersed? Is the treedensity constant across the study area? Could soil type or slope haveled to the observed pattern? Those are questions that are addressedin spatial analysis using quantitative and statistical techniques.

What you will learn in this course is that popular GIS software like ArcGIS are great tools to create and manipulate spatial data, but if one wishes to go beyond the data manipulation and analyze patterns and processes that may have led to these patterns, other quantitative tools are needed. One such tool we will use in this class is R: an open source (freeware) data analysis environment.

R has one, if not the richest set of spatial data analysis and statistics tools available today. Learning the R programming environment will prove to be quite beneficial given that many of the operations learnt are transferable across many other (non-spatial) quantitative analysis projects.

R can be installed on both Windows and Mac operating systems. Another related piece of software that you might find useful is RStudio which offers a nice interface to R. To learn more about data analysis in R, visit the ES218 course website.

The different purposes of mapping spatial data have strong parallels to that of graphing (or plotting) non-spatial data. John Tukey (Tukey 1972) offers three broad classes of the latter:

GIS is a technology that is used to create, manage, analyze, and map all types of data. GIS connects data to a map, integrating location data (where things are) with all types of descriptive information (what things are like there). This provides a foundation for mapping and analysis that is used in science and almost every industry. GIS helps users understand patterns, relationships, and geographic context. The benefits include improved communication, efficiency, management, and decision-making.

Finding the best route. Make logistics operations more efficient and adaptable. Reduce costs and emissions. Keep drivers safe and customers happy. Sophisticated GIS technology can handle complex routing and logistics scenarios, such as coordinating daily routes for a large fleet of delivery vehicles or managing a global supply chain in real time.

Planning for the future. Make predictions and informed decisions that benefit both people and the planet. Model possible scenarios to address complex challenges like climate resilience and sustainability. GIS analysis can identify where adding green spaces would reduce extreme heat for the most vulnerable, or where expected population growth would support a business expansion.

The Geographic Information Science Certificate Program (GIScience) is designed to prepare undergraduates with the basic training necessary to enter the rapidly expanding field of geographic information science (GIS).

In addition to the courses listed above, upon request by the applicant, a GIS related course taken in another department at UGA can be considered as an elective course contingent upon an evaluation by the certificate program coordinator or the GIScience faculty.

In order to ensure that certificate recipients display a strong command of GIScience, the certificate is granted only to those students who achieve a 3.0 GPA in courses that constitute the GIScience Certificate Program. The GPA for certificate purposes will be computed in accordance with UGA policy. Post-baccalaureate students returning to acquire the certificate must repeat any required or elective courses which were completed more than five years prior to the award date of the certificate.

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) visually organize information around the concepts of location and place. Data is tied to actual locations on the earth, and geographic features are represented as points, lines, and polygons (vectors) or as continuous gridded surfaces (rasters). There are several different GIS software packages that can be used for geographic analysis, map making, database management, and geospatial statistics. You can use GIS to:

Introduction to modern spatial data processing, development, and functions of geographic information systems (GIS); theory, concepts and applications of geographic information science (GIScience). This course may be subject to Enforced Prerequisites that restrict registration into the course. Check the offerings below for more information.

Textbooks [ Textbooks]Syllabus: Available in Canvas to students enrolled in this course. Or contact instructor to request syllabus. (Note: An ONID account is required to view OSU's online directory.)W25329224004Walsh, K.Online

Textbook list available at osubeaverstore.com

The OSU Beaver Store website contains the most up-to-date information currently available on the textbook(s) selected for this course (current term only). No textbooks will be listed if your instructor has not yet provided their textbook order to the bookstore.

Are you ready to bring your GIS skills up to the next level? This course introduces the theoretical concepts and advanced use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It focuses on the nature of geographic information, the management of geospatial data and available methods for geographic analysis and geoprocessing to perform advanced and complex modeling in a GIS environment. Lectures focus on the theoretical basis of GIScience, the understanding of spatial algorithms and the development of a critical attitude toward GIS operations and model outputs. During lab sessions students will be able to apply the concepts and techniques presented in lectures and become well-trained in using GIS software. The aim of this course is that students understand elementary GIS theory, have a working knowledge of ArcGIS, and be able to develop GIS-based solutions for spatial problems, independently. In short: You will be ready for starting your professional GIS career.

GEO 1210 / 4 credits

The Web GIS (geographic information systems) revolution is radically altering how spatially explicit information about the world around us is consumed, applied, and shared. This course aims to enable students from diverse academic backgrounds and interests to (1) search, retrieve, and visualize geographically referenced data using a wide variety of general purpose, government, and specific-purpose web maps and apps; (2) use ESRI ArcGIS Online, Business Analyst Online, and Community Analyst to find geospatial data, create multilayered thematic maps, and conduct spatial analyses; and (3) build their own web apps, story maps, or geo-enabled mobile apps, through individual as well as group-based projects. Students need no specialized computer skills to enter the course, but they will be expected to manipulate data and maps using the computer methods discussed in class.

GEO 1500 / 4 credits

An examination of the evolution of concepts concerning the nature, scope, and methods of Human Geography (population, economic, urban, landscape, etc.) with emphasis on current geographic thought, theory, research themes, and the relationship between people and the environment.

GEO 1610 / 4 credits

This course provides an introduction to portraying spatial data and making data maps for a variety of applications. Students work in a hands-on lab/lecture setting while exploring computer mapping production techniques: cartographic design, communication properties of thematic maps, data selection and quality, and the problems of graphic display in print and electronic formats. Students will apply the course material by completing a variety of mapping projects. Students need no specialized computer skills to enter the course, but they will be expected to manipulate data and maps using the computer methods discussed in class.

Offered in Fall/Spring

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