INFOSCI 302 — Introduction to GIS

Instructor’s information

Instructor: Charles Chang
Email: charles.c.chang@dukekunshan.edu.cn
Title: Assistant Professor of Environment and Urban Studies
Expertise: Computational Social Science and Digital Humanities

Charles Chang’s research interest hinges on the intersections between computation and design. With the rise of smartphones and other internet-connected devices, design choices become increasingly data-driven and dependent on information’s credibility in the construction of the human habitat. Chang’s research focuses on human habitat’s design, environmental impact, and information’s credibility in the Big-Data age. His teaching interests at Duke Kunshan include computational social science, digital humanities, and urban informatics.

What is this course about?

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based systems used to collect, store, manage and analyze geographic information. This course will introduce you to the fundamental concepts upon which this technology is based. Through lectures, lab exercises and projects, you will gain an understanding of GIS and how it can be used to solve geospatial problems. You will also learn how to use GIS software to create maps, charts, images and other types of presentations to effectively communicate geospatial ideas and findings. Other related geospatial technologies, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), Remote Sensing (RS), and Cartography will also be explored.

What background knowledge do I need before taking this course?

No prior knowledge of GIS is required. However, general understanding of computation and information science is recommended.

What will I learn in this course?

At the end of the course, students should be able to obtain:

• Fundamental knowledge of GIS and other related geospatial technologies including RS, GPS and Cartography.
  • Be able to identify major sources of spatial data
  • Understand main terminologies in GIS
• Greater comprehension of maps and the skills needed to manipulate spatially-oriented data in a map format.
  • Be able to differentiate different spatial data models
  • Know how to create spatial data
  • Understand map projections
• Recognizing and identifying geographic data’s four components: position, attributes, spatial relationships, and time to aid in retrieving, manipulating, analyzing and displaying spatially-referenced data.
• Working knowledge of GIS software and associated hardware to determine the appropriate use of the technology.
  • Be able to create spatial data in QGIS
  • Be able to employ proper tools in QGIS
• Knowledge of geospatial data sources and the availability of online tools for geospatial analysis.

What will I do in this course?

This course is an introductory-level GIS course. Students who take this course generally fall into one of two categories:

• You might be a Computation and Design major who is on the social policy track or a student in another major (e.g. data science or environmental science) who needs to take this class to fulfill requirements. This course will prepare you for the technical challenge of GIS by helping you develop a robust understanding of geographical information systems and how to work with spatial data; this skill will be essential in future courses.
• You might want to learn how GIS works so that you can bring new ideas back to your own field of study, such as computation and design, environmental science, data science, political economy, or any other majors that involve spatial analysis.

The course contains three components: lectures, labs, and projects. In lectures, you will learn the basic concepts and theories of GIS through lecture presentations and discussions. In labs, you will apply the knowledge in practice to gain hands-on experience in geospatial data collection, management, and analysis as well as map reading/making. In projects, you will synthesize the knowledge and skills learned throughout the semester to finish an integrated GIS project.

How can I prepare for the class sessions to be successful?

Students enrolled in this course should be prepared to read all the required readings before class; participate in course discussions; complete lab assignments and the final project individually with her/his earnest effort; and finish all the quizzes and exams.

What required texts, materials, and equipment will I need?

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems by R. Adam Dastrup, MA, GISP.

• A free, theoretical OER (Open Education Resources) book covers all the basic concepts in GIS. It is good for this introduction course.
• The book is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

What optional texts or resources might be helpful?

Optional textbooks

1. GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems, 6th Edition (2019) by Paul Bolstad. (Ebook ISBN 978-1-59399-552-2.)
   • A theoretical book comprehensively covering all the concepts in GIS. It also works for the other GIS course at DKU.
2. Discover QGIS 3.x by Kurt Menke (ISBN 978-0998547763).
   • A practical book covering all essential GIS operations with QGIS.
3. QGIS Video Tutorials by MangoMap.
4. Discovering GIS and ArcGIS Pro, 3rd Edition (2021) by Bradley A. Shellito.
   • A practical book covering all essential GIS operations with ArcPro.

Online learning resources

• GIS Commons: An Introductory Textbook on Geographic Information Systems
• GIS Lounge
• QGIS Tips
• ArcGIS Blog
• ArcMap Help Doc
• ArcPro Help Doc

How will my grade be determined?

Grading components are listed below. Your final grade will be determined by the points you have earned by the end of the semester.

• 7 weekly discussions: 10 points each, 70 points total (10%)
• 2 exams: 120 points each, 240 points total (26%)
• 11 lab reports: 10 points each, 220 points total (44%)
• 1 final project: 200 points total (20%)

Final grades will be assigned using a standard scale:

A = 93% – 100%; A− = 89% – 93%; B+ = 84% – 89%; B = 80% – 84%; B− = 75% – 80%; C = 70% – 75%; D = 60% – 70%; F = 0% – 59%.

Note: weekly discussions often include 3–5 review questions you should know from the previous lecture, plus a group presentation for a GIS application. Lecture quizzes will be similar to exams, with some review questions and others requiring problem-solving techniques.

Late submissions

• Late submission for discussions, lab reports, and the final project report is subject to a 15% per-day penalty. For example, a 15-point discussion submitted 1 day late earns at most 13 points.
• Late submission for quizzes is not accepted, except where you can document unpreventable factors (medical emergencies, family emergencies, university-approved absences).

What are the course policies?

Communications: You are expected to attend lectures and participate in class discussions actively. If you have questions about the lectures, labs, or course materials, ask in MS Teams or by email; I usually respond within 24 hours. If you are currently located outside of China, you are expected to meet with me occasionally over Zoom during my office hours.

Discussion guidelines: Civility is an essential ingredient for academic discourse. All communications for this course should be conducted constructively, civilly, and respectfully. Differences in beliefs, opinions, and approaches are to be expected.

• Be respectful of others and their opinions, valuing diversity in backgrounds, abilities, and experiences.
• Challenging the ideas held by others is an integral aspect of critical thinking and the academic process. Word your responses carefully, and recognize that others are expected to challenge your ideas.
• Read your online discussion posts carefully before submitting them.

Academic integrity: As a student, you should abide by the academic honesty standard of the Duke Kunshan University. For all graded work, students should pledge that they have neither given nor received any unacknowledged aid. Collaborative work on weekly discussions is allowed; collaboration on lab assignments, quizzes, and exams is strictly forbidden.

Academic policy & procedures: You are responsible for knowing and adhering to academic policy and procedures as published in the University Bulletin and Student Handbook.

Academic disruptive behavior and community standard: Please avoid all forms of disruptive behavior, including but not limited to verbal or physical threats, repeated obscenities, unreasonable interference with class discussion, and persisting in disruptive personal conversations with other class members.

Academic accommodations: If you need to request accommodation for a disability, you need a signed accommodation plan from Campus Health Services and provide a copy of that plan to me.

What campus resources can help me during this course?

Academic advising and student support. Please consult with me about appropriate course preparation and readiness strategies, as needed. Consult your academic advisors on course performance and academic decisions to ensure you stay on track. The Office of Undergraduate Advising has additional information.

Writing and Language Studio. For additional help with academic writing and language learning, you are welcome to make an appointment with the Writing and Language Studio (WLS).

IT support

If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please contact IT:

• China-based faculty/staff/students: 400-816-7100, (+86) 0512-3665-7100
• US-based faculty/staff/students: (+1) 919-660-1810
• International-based faculty/staff/students: use either telephone option (Skype calling recommended)
• Live Chat
• Email: service-desk@dukekunshan.edu.cn

What is the expected course schedule?

Note: each session is now split into two classes.