"GISs are simultaneously the telescope, the microscope, the computer, and the Xerox machine of regional analysis and synthesis of spatial data." 

-- Ron Abler, former president of the Association of American Geographers, 1988 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"It's not easy to lie with maps, it's essential...to present a useful and truthful picture, an accurate map must tell white lies." 

-- Mark Monmonier

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Grant F. Walton CENTER FOR REMOTE SENSING AND SPATIAL ANALYSIS
RUTGERS • The State University of New Jersey
11:372:362  INTERMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL GEOMATICS
2008 Syllabus


INSTRUCTORS:

Dr. David Tulloch
Department of Landscape Architecture
Room 220 Blake Hall, Cook College
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Center for Remote Sensing and Spatial Analysis
Room 133 Environmental and Natural Resource Science Building
Cook College
Phone: 732.932.1581

Email: dtulloch@crssa.rutgers.edu

TA: Jim Myers
Office Hours: Mondays 6 - 9 pm
ENR Computer Lab
Email: jimm@crssa.rutgers.edu

MEETING TIMES/PLACES:
MW 2:15-3:35
Lectures: ENR 123
Labs: ENR computer lab


WEB PAGE:
http://www.crssa.rutgers.edu/courses/intgeo/
 The class web page will include class announcements, assignments, links to related web pages, and a more dynamic version of this syllabus.

 
 TEXTS:
REQUIRED:
Geographic Information Systems and Science by Paul A. Longley, David W. Rhind, Michael Goodchild, and David J. Maguire, 2 Ed. -- Wiley & Sons (At the Cook Co-op)

OTHER:
CRSSA keeps a digital copy of the manuals for ESRI products available for internal viewing. Some are also sold individually for ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcTools. They are not terribly cheap, and should only be bought be those who desperately require such support. Plus, they never seem to help all that well with the one technique that you are struggling with.

 
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class is called Intermediate Environmental Geomatics. Geomatics is meant as a general term to capture the various earth measuring technologies (including GPS, RS, and GIS) often losely refered to simply as geographic information systems (LIS/GIS).

Over the semester we will TRY to concurrently follow two parallel paths:

- Theoretical foundations of GIS and
- Technical skills for software applications.

We will explore these paths concurrently so students can understand the connection between specific theoretical and technical issues.  The theoretical issues to be covered include an introduction to geo-reference systems, topology, coordinate systems, projections, overlays, and societal issues. The class will also develop some basic technical skills for the application of ArcGIS 9.2 for practical applications.


PREREQUISITES:
The class carries a prerequisite requirement of the Fundamentals of Environmental Geomatics (11:372:232). While this may be waived for a very few special students, ALL students will be expected to enter the class with basic understanding of spatial concepts and an ability to perform associated skills (especially computer skills).

GRADING:
25% - Participation and Homework
25% - Final Project
25% - Midterm Exam
25% - Final Exam

 

A  = > 92
B+  = 88-92
B = 82-87
C+ = 78-81
C = 70-77
D = 60-69
F = > 60


SEMESTER SCHEDULE:
January 23 -- First day of class
March 10 -- Mid-Term Exam (tentative)
March 17/19 -- No class - Spring Break
May 5-- Final Class Period -- Final Project Due
May 13 -- Final Exam Noon - 3