Geography 100 Introduction to World Regional Geography click here for a printable course outline

Fall 2011

Schedule

(subject to change)

Introduction

A geographic information system (GIS) is a tool for automating geographic concepts.  At its most basic level it can help us to explain distributions and make decisions.  At an advanced level it can help us understand complex environmental processes.  Geographers (and others) use GISs to create spatial models to help them understand, describe, and predict how things are arranged in the real world.

All too often we produce a map from a GIS and conclude, "Gee, it looks like there is a pattern in the data," but we struggle to attach any certainty to our analysis.  The real question we want answered is most likely, "Is there a significant pattern?"  The methods developed in this course will help you answer this question.  The aim of this course is to enable you to build your own toolbox of spatial analysis techniques to investigate spatial processes.

Required Textbook

Wang, F., 2006.  Quantitative Methods and Applications in GIS.  Boca Raton:  CRC Press.

Recommended Textbooks

Although there is not a required text for this course, you are expected to use additional resources (e.g. texts from other courses, the Internet) extensively to supplement the lecture materials.

Clarke, K.P., Parks, B.O., and Crane, M.P. (eds.), 2002.  Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Modeling.  Upper Saddle River:  Prentice-Hall (on reserve in the Map Library).

DeMers, M.N., 2002.  GIS Modeling in Raster. New York: Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).

Hardisty, J., D.M. Taylor, and S.E. Metcalf, 1993.  Computerised Environmental spatial analysis:  A Practical Introduction Using Excel.  Chichester:  Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).

Harris, R., Sleight, P., and Webber, R., 2005.  Geodemographics, GIS and Neighbourhood Targeting.  Chichester: Wiley (on reserve in the Map Library).

Kelly, R.E.J., N.A. Drake, S.L. Barr, 2004.  Spatial spatial analysis of the Terrestrial Environment.  Chichester: Wiley (on reserve in the Map Library).

Maguire, D.J., M. Batty, and M.F. Goodchild (eds.), 2005.  GIS, Spatial Analysis, and Modeling. Redlands, ESRI Press (on reserve in the Map Library).

O'Sullivan, D. and Unwin, D.J., 2003.  Geographic Information Analysis.  Hoboken: Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).

Stillwell, J. and G. Clarke, 2004. Applied GIS and Spatial Analysis.  Chichester:  Wiley (can be borrowed directly from me).

Coursework & Grading

Assignments (40%)

There are 8 lab assignments based on the lecture and text materials to be completed.  Each assignment is work 5% of your final mark.  You are expected to find additional resources to help answer some of the questions.

Literature Review (10%)

Discovering how other researchers are using advanced spatial analysis is an excellent way to learn new techniques that you can use in your own analyses.  I would like you to review 1 article in the refereed journal literature where spatial analyses have been used.  Your review should not be more than 5 pages long (double-spaced). 

Your review should include:

• An introduction to the issue(s) addressed in the paper.
• A description of the data used.
• A flowchart outlining the analysis methods used.
• An assessment of how effective the analyses were, e.g.:
  • Did they fulfill their intended functions, according to the researchers?
  • How effective do you think the analysis approach was?
  • How easy would it be for someone else to use the same analyses (with/without modification) in a different area?
• An integration of course concepts covered up to the time of your review.
• A copy of the reviewed article.

Advanced Spatial Analysis Project (50%)

A key component of the course is for you to demonstrate your learned spatial analysis knowledge and abilities by designing, developing, implementing, and assessing your own spatial analysis project.

• projects will be assessed based on the complexity of the data and analysis methods used
• extra credit will be earned for those who analyse both remote sensing and GIS data in their projects
• superior cartographic presentations are expected

Key stages of the spatial analysis project are:

1. Project Proposal:
   • Decide on a spatial analysis topic/idea. [you can find some ideas here]
   • Determine what data are needed and available.
   • Flowchart your proposed analysis procedure.
   [flowchart design examples]
   • Submit a 1-page outline describing your topic idea. [presentations start on this date]
   • Discuss your idea with the class. [see the course schedule]
2. Prepare a written spatial analysis report. [due date]
   • Draft your written report as a research paper including sections that:
     • Introduce what you were trying to accomplish.
     • Review of some previously published work on this topic.
     • Describe the data and study area.
     • Describe the analysis approach (include a flowchart).
     • Present results of your analysis (maps, graphs, or tables where relevant).
     • Interpret your results.
     • Discuss the assumptions and limitations of your work.
     • Present a summary and conclusions.
     • Provide suggestions for future research.

Here is the grading rubric that I will use to mark your project.  Dr. Siemer will be assessing the cartographic qualities of your map(s).

Notes:

• This is a core course activity:  your spatial analysis Project must receive a passing grade for you to receive a passing grade for the course.
• Your cartography will be graded by Dr. Siemer.
• You will also be graded on your written report presentation: neat and concise reporting; spelling / grammar; organization  (report is well laid-out using appropriate sections).
• You may work on this project individually or in groups of 2.  If you work in a group:
  • Each member of the group will receive the same project mark.
  • You must submit along with your spatial analysis report a Group Information Page signed by each group member that includes:  the names of each group member, the primary tasks completed by each member, and an assessment of the the percentage contribution to the overall project made by each member.

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Last updated: 2011.09.07 by JMP