Syllabus
Course Info
Canvas Site and Alternative Course Website
Time: M/W 11:20am - 1:15pm
Location: Barclay Gibbs Jones Lab, Sibley Hall 308/305
Instructor: Xiaozhong Sun [xs243@cornell.edu]
TA: Ishan Keskar [iuk3@cornell.edu], Aditi Parihar [ap973@cornell.edu]
Instructor Office Hours: Wednesday (by appointment) at 319 W.Sibley
Credits: 4 credits (Letter Grades Only)
Course Description
Welcome to the world of spatial analysis and geographic information systems (GIS). We, as human beings, have a long history of extracting information from maps. In the era of big data, spatial and location intelligence is indispensable in our everyday decision-making. With the help of advanced technology, spatial analysis and GIS provide you with tools to solve complex location-oriented problems. This course will equip you with one of the popular tools to tackle basic and advanced spatial analysis.
This course will provide not only a conceptual understanding of geographic information systems (GIS) but, more importantly, practical hands-on experience with GIS software applied to real-world planning practice and social science research topics. That is to say, this course is comprised of lectures and computer lab sessions.
The course will be structured like a music track, where we have an Intro, Verse, Chorus, and Outro. You will progress from straightforward concepts and software operations to more complex and systematic problem-solving. The detailed course and lab topics are listed below.
By the end of this course, you will understand some of the essential concepts in GIS and spatial analysis and some basic and advanced applications of the latest ArcGIS Pro software. In addition, you will also learn the extensions and limitations of various GIS and spatial analysis tools. And you will be able to teach yourself more advanced and automated applications after the foundation we built in this course.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Feel comfortable working within ArcGIS Pro and be familiar with a range of available tools and methods to address planning-related problems and issues.
- Produce and interpret maps and other forms of spatial information found in professional planning reports, research articles, news media, and public forums. Communicate spatial information effectively using maps (visual communication) and connect visual communication to expository writing and argumentation.
- Examine and be able to apply and spatialize basic statistical and qualitative knowledge of urban and regional issues.
- Use online resources and software documentation to learn new GIS techniques when necessary.
- Be able to independently conceive of and manage a GIS project. This involves a) proposing a planning analysis/research question that requires GIS data and spatial analysis; and b) collecting, processing, and analyzing spatial data to interpret the findings.
Course Format
The class will be conducted as a lecture in conjunction with computer lab sessions. The course format stresses hands-on application and building familiarity with the software through practice.
The beginning of the semester will generally be more lecture intensive (lectures will be uploaded weekly to Canvas under the modules tab). I will spend a portion of the class each week introducing the material, and then we will begin that week’s lab. Depending on the week, we will spend the other session on in-class lab work, with the lab assignment due the following week.
The purpose of the lab session is also to encourage peer teaching, so get to know the people around you. Several TAs and I will be present and available during the labs to help with coursework. In addition, I will hold weekly office hours. Meanwhile the Ph.D. TA will also be available to help. From time to time, additional material, guest speakers, or in-class demonstrations will take place with advance notice.
Students will have access to the Canvas site and the course website. To complete the labs, you will need access to ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online, for which Cornell has an institutional license. AAP IT will assist with installing and accessing the appropriate software.
You can also access the lab on the 3rd floor of Sibley Hall. The Barclay Jones Lab is open from 6:00 a.m. to 3 a.m. except for some holiday breaks (As per College policy, the computer lab will be closed during the break. Please keep this in mind when planning to complete the labs and work on the final project.). It’s reserved for CRP students after 5 p.m., meaning you need to use your ID card to get in. If you encounter difficulties, one option is to use Mann Library, which has the latest ArcGIS installed. If you download ArcGIS to your laptop, you may bring it to the lab to use instead of the desktops.
We also understand that the current situation is dynamic, and the syllabus may be updated accordingly. We may need to re-examine expectations for the lab assignments and adjust accordingly.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites. Students are expected to have basic computer operating skills and are familiar with spreadsheet software which assists in processing data for use in GIS.
Course Grading
Lab Assignments (60%)
Both the lab and the associated data will be made available weekly through the ‘modules’ tab on Canvas. There are 11 scheduled lab assignments. These generally (though not exclusively) consist of a scripted lab component followed by a homework assignment meant to be your own work. Forming a study group is encouraged only to discuss your thought and operation process. You should not copy others’ work. Plagiarizing others’ work will receive an F for this course.
Computer skills vary widely, so students should be aware that they may have to spend time outside class working on labs and homework assignments. Labs will be due the following Wednesday after they are assigned by the end of the day. Students should upload each lab to Canvas via the ‘Assignments’ link. Labs should be saved as a single word document (with any maps embedded as image files). Please read Lab Preparation for detailed instructions.
Late lab assignments will automatically be downgraded unless there is a medical or family emergency. However, The instructor has the final say on the circumstances that may be considered for the extension of assignments. The extension request will not be accepted after the lab’s due date:
- 5%: if turned in the following day
- 10%: if turned in within 1 week
- 25%: after 1 week
All late labs are due no later than the Last Day of Classes. Otherwise, you will receive a 0 for the late lab(s). Students must be respectful of the TAs’ time and only seek assistance when necessary, during appropriate times.
Final Project (5% + 25%)
The final project will be an important and valuable part of this course. It is a great opportunity for you to utilize what you have learned in this course to tackle one of the real-world topics/issues/questions that interest you. Students will work individually. It can be part of your exit project or writing sample for your job interview.
The final project’s requirements and guidelines will be elaborated on later during our progress in course work. The final project grade will include a presentation component (5%) in which you share your work during the last weeks of class.
There will be a couple lab sessions toward the end of the semester, which will be devoted to working on the project. However, students must start thinking about project ideas as soon as possible. You are expected to provide a preliminary project proposal by the date specified in the syllabus. In addition, everyone of you will schedule a mid-semester meeting with me to discuss your project. Previous years’ exceptional projects will be placed in a folder under the ‘modules’ tab as an additional resource.
As a word for the final project, I highly encourage you to be original and self-driven, with a focus on spatial analysis. You can reach out to the potential client and pitch your idea using this opportunity. The deliverable of this project can be valuable assets for your future career. However, students who choose this route should note that the professional and the class requirements are not necessarily co-terminus! Students should discuss with me if unsure. The mid-semester meeting can be helpful in this respect.
Midterm Quiz (5%)
A closed-book midterm quiz is scheduled for Monday, March 13th, and will cover the material up until that point. No make-up will be given, except under extraordinary circumstances. The exam is mainly to test your understanding of essential GIS concepts.
Attendance/Participation/Effort (5%)
- Attendance: Students must be in class to reap the full benefits of the course. A sign-up sheet will circulate the room each day to note your attendance. It is important that you keep up! Material is presented cumulatively, so if you miss one week, you will be disadvantaged the following week.
- Participation: You are expected to pay attention during the lectures and work on the labs or homework during the appropriate times. A present and engaged student body will contribute significantly to the ‘peer-learning’ effect crucial to learning a complex software package.
- Effort: Computers are sometimes can be frustrating. However, losing it or taking it out on the TAs or instructor is not an acceptable response!
Each student is entitled to three excused absences. You must notify me before the start of class with the proper reason. Failure to do so is considered an absence.
There is no partial grade for attendance. If you miss class, you will receive a 0 for this part of the grade. This portion of the grade is not intended to punish students but to reward students who achieve full attendance and show great attitudes towards putting up their genuine efforts. Based on experience, a high grade is associated with full attendance in this course.
Tentative Schedule
| Dates | Lecture_Topics | Labs | Labs_Due_Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intro: Getting to Know ArcGIS Pro and Basic Mapping | |||
| Jan 23/ Jan 25 | Lecture_1: Introduction and Overview | Lab Preparation & Lab_1 Get Familiar with ArcGIS Pro | Lab_1 Due: Feb 6 |
| Jan 30/ Feb 1 | Lecture_2: Cartography and Thematic Mapping | Lab_2 Cartography and Thematic Mapping | Lab_2 Due: Feb 8 |
| Verse: Working with Geospatial Data | |||
| Feb 6/ Feb 8 | Lecture_3: Mapping Locations and Coordinate Systems | Lab_3 Coordinate Systems and Map Projection | Lab_3 Due: Feb 15 |
| Feb 13/ Feb 15 | Lecture_4: Spatial Analysis: Geoprocessing | Lab_4 Geoprocessing | Lab_4 Due: Feb 22 |
| Feb 20/ Feb 22 | Lecture_5: Georeferencing and Digitizing Spatial Information | Lab_5 Georeferencing | Lab_5 Due: Mar 3 |
| Feb 27 (Feb Break)/ Mar 1 | No Class | Lecture_6: Spatial Statistics in ArcGIS Pro | |
| Mar 6/ Mar 8 | Lecture_7: Spatial Data Collection and Management | Lab_6 Data Join and Spatial Data Management | Lab_6 Due: Mar 15 |
| Mar 13/ Mar 15 | In-class Midterm | Lab_7 Census Data Case Study and Google Earth | Lab_7/Final Project Proposal Due: Mar 22 |
| Chorus: Advanced Spatial Analysis | |||
| Mar 20/ Mar 22 | Lecture_8: Network Analysis | Lab_8 Network Analysis | Lab_8 Due: Mar 29 |
| Mar 27/ Mar 29 | Lecture_9: Raster Analysis I | Lab_9 Raster Data Analysis I | Lab_9 Due: Apr 12 |
| Apr 10/ Apr 12 | Lecture_10: Scenario Planning using Geoplanner | Lab_10 Case Study of Alternative Scenario Development | Lab_10 Due: Apr 19 |
| Outro: Spatial Analysis beyond ArcGIS | |||
| Apr 17/Apr 19 | Lecture_11: Review | Final Project Work Session | |
| Apr 24/Apr 26 | Final Project Work Session | Final Project Work Session | |
| May 1/ May 3 | In-Class Presentations | In-Class Presentations | |
| May 8 (Last Day of Class) | In-Class Presentations | ||
Course Materials and Readings
There is no required textbook for this course. With the advancement of technology, existing materials get outdated very quick. Therefore, most of the required readings will come from online ebooks and a few research articles. The lecture notes and lab instructions will provide links to all the required readings and useful references. This course also encourages students to search for and share excellent online learning materials for this course.
Code of Conduct
The Department of City and Regional Planning is committed to providing an atmosphere for learning that respects diversity. We are dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone, regardless of background, identity and prior experience level. Everyone in this course will be coming from a different place with different experiences and expectations. We will not tolerate any form of language or behavior used to exclude, intimidate, or cause discomfort. This applies to all course participants (instructor, students, guests). In order to foster a positive and professional learning environment, we encourage the following kinds of behaviors:
- Use welcoming and inclusive language
- Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
- Gracefully accept constructive criticism
- Show courtesy and respect towards others
- Help each other - you may well learn something or reinforce your own skills in the process
- Use this opportunity together to discuss ways in which we can create an inclusive environment in this course and across the Cornell community
Academic Integrity
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity. Any work submitted by a student in this course for academic credit will be the student’s own work, except in the cases of projects that are specifically structured as group endeavors. While you can form study group for labs, your labs are individual assignments. Direct quotations of other work(s) should be enclosed with quotation marks, with a citation afterward and page number of the work where available. When you rely substantially on another person’s work without quoting from it directly, please use in text citations at the end of an appropriate section. Failure to provide complete and proper citations may constitute plagiarism, which violates the Cornell Code of Academic Integrity. If detected, plagiarism may result in a failing grade for the course.
Student Accommodations
In compliance with the Cornell University policy and equal access laws, we are available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for student with disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first two weeks of the course, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with Student Disability Services to verify their eligibility for appropriate accommodations. You can find more information online regarding these resources at https://sds.cornell.edu/accommodations-services/academic.
Stress
If you are experiencing a lot of personal or academic stress at any time during the semester, I encourage you to seek support early on. I am available to talk with you if you experience stress related to the class. Additionally, I can assist you in reaching out to any one of a wide range of campus resources, including:
- Student Services Office, 255-6376
- Cornell Learning Strategies Center at 255-6310, http://lsc.sas.cornell.edu
- Gannett Health Services at 255-5155, www.gannett.cornell.edu
- Let’s Talk Drop–In Consultation and Support www.gannett.cornell.edu/Let’sTalk
- Peer Support provided by Empathy Assistance and Referral Service at 255-EARS
Circulating or Selling Class Materials
All materials of this course are copyrighted, and it is prohibited to circulate or sell to commercial vendors the course materials, including syllabus, exams, lecture notes, images, presentations, and student papers. Such unauthorized behavior constitutes academic misconduct. Video and/or audio recording of class lectures and review sessions without my permission in advance is prohibited. If you have an accommodation letter from Student Disability Services or if you are interested in recording for your personal use as a study aid, please make an appointment to meet in office hours before you record anything.