Urban and Environmental Application of Geographic Information Sciences

Course	GISC/GOES 6384.001: Spatial Analysis and Modeling
Professor	Dr. Fang Qiu Associate Professor in GIS and Remote Sensing
Term	Spring, 2014
Meetings	Tuesday 4:00-6:45 PM, GR3.402B

Professor’s Contact Information

Office Phone	972-883-4134
Office Location	GR 3.212
Email Address	Fang.Qiu@utdallas.edu
Office Hours	Tuesday 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Other Information	I use eLearning for this class. Please contact me through eLearning email for all class related issues.
Teaching Assistant	Feng Ni, fxn090020@utdallas.edu, GR3.414 Office Hour: Tuesday 1 - 3 pm, Saturday 1:30-3:30 pm (by appointment only).

General Course Information

Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, & other restrictions	GISC 6381: Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals
Course Description	A graduate level course with treatment of more advanced topics of spatial analysis in a GIS environment. Topics covered include raster-based cartographic modeling, 3-d visualization and analysis, geostatistics interpolation. Student will be acquainted with state-of–the-art software through hands-on laboratory experiences.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completing this class, students will be able to: Understand the raster data model and how it differs from the vector data model. Apply local, focal, zonal and global operations to appropriate problems. Perform specialized analysis with viewshed and watershed model tools. Apply various global, local and geostatistics spatial interpolation methods to derive a measurement surface. Construct models to solve sophisticated real world problems by combining various tools.
Required Texts & Materials	Chang, Kang-tsung, 2009, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Fifth Edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN -10: 007729436X, ISBN-13: 9780077294366 (Required)
Suggested Texts, Readings, & Materials	Online books through eLearning: Using Spatial/3D/Geostatistical Analysts

Assignments & Academic Calendar

[Topics, Reading Assignments, Due Dates, Exam Dates]

Week Number	Topics, Reading and Lab Assignment
1	Introduction to Spatial Analysis and eLearning (4^th Ch 1) (5^th Ch 1) Lab 0: How to use eLearning
2	Review of Vector Data Models, and Data Formats (4^th Ch 3, 4,) (5^th Ch 3)
3	Raster Data Model and Data Conversion (4^th Ch 5, 13.7) (5^th Ch 4, 12.7) Lab 1: Grid Display and Query, Vector-Raster Data Conversion
4	Cartographic Modeling, Local Operations (4^th Ch 13.1-13.2) (5^th Ch 12.1-12.2) Lab 2: Local Application – Water Volume Calculation
5	Suitability/Capability Modeling and Mapping (4^th Ch 19) (5^th Ch 18) Lab 3: Capability Modeling and Accuracy Assessment
6	Focal and Block Operations (4^th Ch 13.3, 16.3.2) (5^th Ch 12.3, 15.3.2) Lab 4: Focal Application – Removal of Data Error in DEM
7	Zone/Regional Operations (4^th Ch 13.4) (5^th Ch 12.4) Lab 5: Zonal Application – Environment Inequity Application
8	Global and Distance Analysis (4^th Ch 13.5-13.6, 18.1-18.2) (5^th Ch 12.5-12.6, 17.1-17.2) Lab 6: Diffusion Modeling and Implementation
9	Spring Break (No class)
10	Midterm Examination
11	Surface Analysis and 3D Visualization (4^th Ch 14 -15.3) (5^th Ch 13-14.3) Lab 7: Virtual Reality Visualization and Visibility Analysis
12	Surface Hydrologic Modeling (4^th Ch 15.4- 15.6) (5^th Ch 14.4-14.6) Lab 8: Hydrological Modeling Application
13	Spatial Interpolation (4^th Ch 16.1 – 16.3) (5^th Ch 15.1-15.3) (AAG Conference. Class will be taught by Dr. Bryan Chastain) Lab 9: Spatial Interpolation
14	Geostatistics and ESDA (4^th Ch 16.4-16.5) (5^th Ch 15.4-15.5) Lab 10: Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis and Kriging
15	No class, students work on project
16	Final Examination – 4/29/2014
Final Project and Presentation	May 6, 2014

Course Policies

Grading (credit) Criteria	· Lab Assignments: 25% · Midterm Examination: 20% · Final Examination: 20% · Final Project Report: 25% · Popup Quiz: 10%
Make-up Exams	No Make-up Exams will be given without a legitimate excuse accompanied by proper formal documentation (e.g., a doctor’s excuse).
Extra Credit	Will be given to optional lab works
Late Work	Late submission for labs will be penalized for 1 point (out of 10) per day being late
Special Assignments	TBD
Class Attendance	Class attendance is required and popup quizzes will be given in the beginning of very class as one of means to assess class attendance. Students are expected to actively participate in class discussion.
Classroom Citizenship	Please make sure you turn off your cell-phone before coming to the classroom. Viewing anything that is not related to class and communicating with other using instant messenger are prohibited during the class.
Student Conduct and Discipline	The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391). A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.
Academic Integrity	The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use	The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal from Class	The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures	Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Incomplete Grades	As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.
Disability Services	The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Religious Holy Days	The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.
Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities	Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course	GISC 4384.001: Urban and Environmental GIS
Professor	Dr. Fang Qiu Associate Professor in GIS and Remote Sensing
Term	Spring, 2014
Meetings	Tuesday 4:00-6:45 PM, GR3.402B