GEOG 306 Raster Geo-Information Science Dept. of Geography, McGill University

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1 GEOG 306 Raster Geo-Information Science Dept. of Geography, McGill University Time: Lecture Wednesdays 10:05 11:25 & Lab Wednesdays 13:35 16:25 Location: BH 306 (lectures) and BH 511 (electronic classroom of 5 th floor library) Prerequisite: GEOG 201 or permission of instructor Instructor: Bernhard Lehner Phone: bernhard.lehner@mcgill.ca Office: BH 612 Office Hours: after lectures; Tues 3 4 pm; and by appointment (contact by ) TA: Joseph Ariwi joseph.ariwi@mail.mcgill.ca Office: BH 510 Rationale The proliferation of information in the digital age has led to the widespread availability and use of raster data sets in GIS. These types of data are well suited for documenting changes occurring on the Earth s surface at a variety of spatial scales. They also allow for the simulation of the distribution and flow of mass, energy, goods, services, animals, and people in a spatially explicit manner. Goals By the end of the course, you will have: 1. A solid foundation in the core concepts and tools used for displaying, formatting, manipulating, and analyzing raster data sets 2. A foundation for studying and understanding a wide variety of mainly terrestrial biophysical phenomena in a spatially explicit framework 3. Gained practical knowledge in the application of raster data for environmental decision making and planning 4. The knowledge to construct meaningful spatial models that can address a problem, test a hypothesis, and enhance scientific understanding 5. Gained experience producing scientific and technical reports Note that this is NOT an introductory course to GIS. It is expected that you are familiar with the basic concepts of GIS. If your general proficiency in GIS is limited, it is expected that you keep yourself up-to-date with the basics, and you may require a significantly higher work load than other students to succeed in this course. 1

2 Format Geographic Information Science is a largely a practical field of study. This course will entail a significant hands-on component including laboratory sessions, practical examination, and an independent project. It is envisioned that roughly one lecture per week will entail theory and/or concepts, while the second lecture will be in-lab demonstrations and tutorials. Software The software used for most tutorials and lab exercises will be ArcGIS 10. ArcGIS is the core product of ESRI, the industry leader in GIS software. We will mostly rely on the Spatial Analyst extension of ArcGIS, which provides special functionalities for handling raster data. Typical application areas of this software include environmental monitoring, simulation modeling, decision support, uncertainty analysis, and surface interpolation/ geostatistics. Its level of sophistication is tempered by a user-friendly interface. Other software may be introduced on an as need basis or will be referred to for special applications. Readings and course material There is no required text book. Readings will be distributed in class, or made available electronically (via mycourses). Material may be put on reserve in the map library from time to time. Much of the material will be drawn from: ArcGIS Guides and Tutorials (PDF files on mycourses and on computers in GIC lab). Burrough, Peter A. and McDonnell, Rachel A Principles of Geographical Information Systems. Oxford University Press, 333 pp. DeMers, Michael N GIS Modeling in Raster. John Wiley & Sons, 203 pp. In lieu of a required text, students are strongly encouraged to purchase a (paper) notebook that will serve as a work log for all lab tutorials, assignments, and projects. Data will be provided in class or will be downloaded from online sources. Students are expected to have (or purchase) a memory stick or external hard-drive (min. 4 GB) in order to backup, archive and/or transfer data as required. 2

3 Lab quizzes There will be 7 short lab quizzes on Wednesdays between Jan. 14 and Feb. 25. Each will be worth 2 points. But note: only the best 5 will count, i.e. max. 10 points in total (or another way to see it: you can miss or fail two quizzes without consequences!). The quizzes will be submitted electronically in class. Take-home assignments All assignments are to be submitted latest at the beginning of the lecture class on the due date. Late assignments will be penalized 10% per day (calculated from the max. number of points) and will not be accepted once the assignments have been graded and returned. Although assignments will be primarily graded based on their content, writing in a scientific manner is crucial for a successful academic and professional career. Therefore, assignments will also be assessed based on the structure, sophistication, and clarity of writing. Mid-term exams (written and practical) There will be a written and a practical midterm. Both mid-terms will be explained in more detail in a separate document, provided ahead of time. Research Paper There will be an independent research project. The purpose of this project is to allow students to explore and apply raster GIS on a topic of their interest using the skills acquired from the course. The project will include a proposal outline, data collection and processing, analysis, and a final report. More information will be provided ahead of time. Course Assessment Lab quizzes: 10% 7 2% each; only the best 5 will count Take-home assignments: 30% 3 10% each Written Mid-term: 15% 1 hour written examination Practical Mid-term: 15% 2.5 hour practical examination Research Proposal: 5% Research Paper: 25% No extra work will be accepted to supplement the grade obtained in the quizzes, assignments, midterms, or final project. ***Cautionary Note*** It is extremely important that you stay on top of the work (including the tutorials) assigned throughout the course. Learning the software and concepts is a cumulative process. If you let things slide you will be snowed under come March! 3

4 Tentative Schedule for Winter 2014 Date Day Type Topic Assignments Jan. 7 Wed Lecture Introduction to GEOG 306 Lab Introduction to ArcGIS and the Spatial Analyst Jan. 14 Wed Lecture The Raster Data Model Lab The Raster Data Model Jan. 21 Wed Lecture Map Algebra Lab Map Algebra & Raster Cartography Ass. 1 handed out Jan. 28 Wed Lecture Spatial Analysis (Neighborhoods and Filters) Lab Spatial Analysis Feb. 4 Wed Lecture Terrain Analysis I (Slope, Aspect, Visibility) Ass. 1 due Lab Terrain Analysis I Ass. 2 handed out Feb. 11 Wed Lecture Terrain Analysis II (Flow paths) Lab Terrain Analysis II Feb. 18 Wed Lecture Cost Surfaces Ass. 2 due Lab Cost Surfaces Ass. 3 handed out Feb. 25 Wed Lecture Spatial Interpolation Lab Spatial Interpolation Mar. 4 Wed Reading Week Mar. 11 Wed Lecture Miscellaneous: Scales, Uncertainty, Error, Multi Criteria Overlay, Geostatistics Ass. 3 due Mar. 11 Wed Lab Practical Mid-term Mar. 18 Wed Lecture Written Mid-term Lab Project discussion and Library session Mar. 25 Wed Lecture Demonstration/Project Work Lab Demonstration/Project Work Project Proposal due Apr. 1 Wed Lecture Demonstration/Project Work Lab Demonstration/Project Work Apr. 8 Wed Lecture Demonstration/Project Work Lab Demonstration/Project Work Project Paper due 4

5 Course Evaluation As with all McGill University courses the evaluation of this course is done on-line. Your comments are valuable, so please participate in doing the evaluation. Evaluation periods will be posted. Other Matters McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see for more information). For information on university and department policies for student assessment, please go to In accord with McGill University s Charter of Students Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded. In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University s control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change. If you have a disability please contact the instructor to arrange a time to discuss your situation. It would be helpful if you contact the Office for Students with Disabilities at before you do this. Additional policies governing academic issues which affect students can be found in the McGill Charter of Students' Rights (Chapter One of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook available as a PDF on McGill University shall strive to be recognized as an environmentally safe and responsible institution, and as a model of environmentally responsible living (see 5