Course Syllabus
Course: Geographic Information Science and Systems (4 c.)
Instructor: Dr. Raechel A. Portelli
Email: raechel@illinois.edu
Course Meetings/Location: Online
Course Website: Gitbook Page
Learning Management System: UIUC Moodle
Office Location and Office Hours: Google Calendar Scheduling
Course Description
This course is intended to introduce students to fundamental principles in the rapidly growing field of Geographic Information Systems and Science (GIS). Students will develop an in-depth understanding of GIS from algorithmic, computational, and data modeling perspectives. Students in this course are expected to gain such understanding through hands-on learning and exercises. Students will also sharpen their Python programming skills from the course. The course will focus on fundamental GIS algorithms, including geometric operations, spatial indexing, and spatial analysis and modeling. These critical algorithms underlie the development of GIS and serve as the backbone of any GIS software. Students are expected to be able to understand and implement the algorithms using Python.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, you will:
Define the scope of Geographic Information Science
Identify different types of geographic data
Perform basic geospatial analyses
Be prepared for more advanced study of Geographic Information Science
Required Textbook
There are no required textbooks for this course. Digital resources will be made available for all course readings. Please familiarize yourself with the UIUC Library. The library has information about Connecting to University Library Resources.
Technology
Be sure you know how to use the course management system, as you will need to utilize this course management system weekly. See more information here: {provide CRM help site}
You will use GIS software via the UIUC Anyware platform.
You will use GIS to complete assignments. You can access QGIS using UIUC AnyWare (instructions). Please note your instructor is not an IT professional and does not provide software support. If you have issues with Anyware, you will need to contact IT.
Course Topics
Week 1: Geographic Information Science and Intelligence
Week 2: Geospatial Data
Week 3: Coordinate Systems, Projections, and Datums
Week 4: Vector Data
Week 5: Raster Data
Week 6: Geovisualization
Week 7: Geospatial Analytics
Week 8: Special Topics
Assignments
The following is a baseline description of the points available to earn through completing assignments and demonstrating your learning. These may not be the final descriptions, assignments may be changed, and others added at the instructor’s discretion. You may be provided additional information in class. Students are responsible for using the correct and final details provided for each assignment when assigned. Due dates for assignments are in the course management system and Course Schedule.
Weekly Overview
Each week will begin with a weekly overview, explaining what the module is about, what learning goals you are expected to achieve, and what activities you will participate in. Each week is designed with the same structure and activities unless otherwise specified. Weekly instructional activities are explained in greater detail below. Due dates of specific assignments appear on each week's overview page.
Readings and Lessons
Each module will contain a list of assigned readings. Some additional optional or supplemental readings may be listed for further study.
Technical Labs
Assignments will reinforce concepts presented in the lectures and readings and allow you to explore these concepts in greater depth. Most assignments will utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Quizzes
Each week, a quiz covering the week’s topics is assigned. A student is allowed 30 minutes to complete the quiz. The final quiz will be a 20pt comprehensive quiz based on previous quizzes.
Final Project
You will complete a small case-study analysis based on the skills and concepts covered in weeks 1-7.
Grading
Assessments
The following assessments are used in this course.
Orientation Materials (4%) - 5pts
Weekly Quiz (23%) - 15 pts
Weekly Labs (54%) - 70 pts
Final Project (19%) - 30 pts
Grading Scale
Table 1. Course Grading Scale
A
94%–100%
C
73%–75.9%
A-
90%-93.9%
C-
70%–72.9%
B+
86%–89.9%
D+
66%–69.9%
B
83%–85.9%
D
63%–65.9%
B-
80%–82.9%
D-
60%–62.9%
C+
76%–79.9%
F
59.9% and below
Disabilities Accommodations
To obtain disability-related academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids, students with disabilities must contact the course instructor and the: Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) as soon as possible, as DRES provides students with academic accommodations, access, and support services. To contact DRES, visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603 (V/TDD), or e-mail you may visit 1207 S. Oak St., Champaign, call 333-4603 (V/TDD), or e-mail a message to disability@uiuc.edu.
Academic Integrity
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Student Code should also be part of this syllabus. Students should pay particular attention to Article 1, Part 4: Academic Integrity. Read the Student Code.
Academic dishonesty may result in a failing grade. Every student must review and abide by the Academic Integrity Policy. Ignorance is not an excuse for any academic dishonesty. It is your responsibility to read this policy to avoid any misunderstanding. Do not hesitate to ask the instructor(s) if you are ever in doubt about what constitutes plagiarism, cheating, or any other breach of academic integrity.
How can students prevent dishonesty? Follow these simple recommendations
Start assignments early. Early preparation is key to reducing anxiety and potential mistakes later.
Get help early. If you’re not confident in your ability to assemble an assignment, schedule an appointment with me to discuss your ideas and the process. Also, make an appointment with the Writers Workshop.
Cite all your sources: As you research and read them, cite them. It is better to over-cite than risk under-citing. If you read something and then paraphrase or summarize what you read, you must cite that source in the text and have a reference list at the end.
What about photos, graphics, or templates from the Web? You may use any photos and graphics that are royalty-free, meaning they are free for anyone to use or after you purchase them. Downloading images from any website will generally be a copyright violation. In short, Google Images and other websites are NOT the places to get images! You may use primary, barebones templates without graphical/image elements.
Emergency Response Recommendations
Emergency response recommendations can be found at the following website: http://police.illinois.edu/emergency-preparedness. I encourage you to review this website and the campus building floor plans within the first 10 days of class, available at http://police.illinois.edu/emergency-preparedness/building-emergency-action-plans/.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Any student who has suppressed their directory information under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) should self-identify with the instructor to ensure the privacy of their attendance in this course. See http://registrar.illinois.edu/ferpa for more information on FERPA.
Sexual Misconduct Policy and Reporting
The University of Illinois is committed to combating sexual misconduct. Faculty and staff must report sexual misconduct to the University’s Title IX and Disability Office. An individual with the Title IX and Disability Office will provide information about rights and options, including accommodations, support services, the campus disciplinary process, and law enforcement options.
A list of the designated University employees who, as counselors, confidential advisors, and medical professionals, do not have this reporting responsibility and can maintain confidentiality can be found here: wecare.illinois.edu/resources/students/#confidential.
Other information about resources and reporting is available here: wecare.illinois.edu.
Attendance and Tardiness
You must log on, review the week's course material, and participate in class activities as posted on the website. You should expect to spend several hours per week engaging with the class material. Your time management skills, self-motivation, and clear communication with your instructor will determine your success in this course. While attendance is not calculated as a line item in the assignments below, inconsistent attention to your duties as a student in this class will lead to poor performance and, thus, poor grades. I recommend treating the course as you would a career. I understand that students get sick, have family or personal issues, and have professional opportunities that may prevent them from performing at their best. Communicate with me and let me know what is going on if you are having issues, and reach out to one of the community resources listed below.
Late Assignments Policy
All assignments will have a due date and time on the course website. Please be aware of every due date by regularly checking the course site. There is a 10% late penalty if an assignment is turned in up to 48 hours past the deadline. After 48 hours, you will receive a zero. No assignments may be submitted more than two days late for a grade. Because this is an 8-week course, please do your best to submit things on time because the course moves very quickly, but if you have any concerns, please get in touch with your instructor.
Excused Absences and Assignment Deadline Extensions
If you miss a due date for an assignment or miss out on in-class points, the following requirements must be met not to receive a deduction for lateness or to make up points given in class. If the excuse is approved, assignments will be due on the instructor's date for any of the cases below. However, you may be required to turn in an assignment early at the instructor's sole discretion.
The University of Illinois excused absences: See Student Code Article 1 Part 5 for a complete list of university excused absences.University of Illinois-approved activities or professional development: The “free” professional development days can be used for this. Student rallies, protests, strikes, “Unofficial,” etc. are unacceptable excuses. Attending sporting events is also not an acceptable excuse. Instructors are not obligated to excuse students from class or offer assignment deadline extensions for these activities, even if you have a letter. Each situation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Religious Observances: Illinois law requires the University to reasonably accommodate its students' religious beliefs, observances, and practices regarding admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work requirements. Students should complete the Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances form should any instructors require an absence letter to manage the absence. To best facilitate planning and communication between students and faculty, students should request absence letters as early as possible in the semester the request applies.
Illness or other medical emergencies: You must provide a written medical doctor’s (M.D.) note with dates excused within one week of the due date or class missed. Contact the Emergency Dean If your illness will affect you long-term or repeatedly, you should contact the Division of Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) to get a Request for Accommodations.
Funeral or family-member illness: The incident must be filed with the University Emergency Dean: http://www.odos.uiuc.edu/emergency to obtain an Absence Letter. This must be provided to the instructor within one week of missing class or missing an assignment deadline.
Technology-related excuses: You are responsible for ensuring your computer is working. If something happens, please call or email your instructor immediately. Again, starting early on an assignment will help you avoid these issues.
Any other extenuating circumstances: Countless other reasons may cause you to miss class, and in most cases, you will know in advance of an assignment's due date or exam. As soon as you know, it is your responsibility to inform me. You might have to submit the assignment early, but other grade penalties for absences will still apply. In the other minority cases, the excuse may or may not be accepted as determined by the instructor.
Zoom Session Expectations
During any synchronous sessions, we ask you to use your webcam throughout the entire session (unless a change is communicated) so we can see your face and connect. Contact your instructor immediately to obtain alternative arrangements if you are uncomfortable using a webcam. When you turn your camera on, please be conscious of your background and what we can see in the room. Please do not join our live sessions while driving, working, or completing any other activity for your safety. You may use the chat feature to type your question or ask it verbally during the discussion if you have a question. When you are not speaking, please keep your microphone on mute to minimize background noise and distractions in the learning space.
Zoom Recordings and Course Copyright Policies
Zoom sessions for this course may be recorded by designated instructors only. Zoom recordings are compliant with federal FERPA regulations. Any Zoom recordings of class sessions will be added to a secure site (Moodle, Canvas or other campus learning management system) or approved campus video platform (Illinois Media Space) and can only be accessed by persons enrolled in this course with a University of Illinois netID and password. Please review the university FERPA compliance and Zoom and FERPA compliance information for additional details. Contact the course instructor if you have concerns about Zoom recordings for this class and your privacy rights as a student.
© 2022 Raechel A. Portelli All rights reserved. No part of the materials used in this course may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means–electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise–without written permission from the copyright holder. Students cannot upload, post, or transmit materials used in this course to course-sharing or other websites.
Mental Health
Significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, substance/alcohol misuse, or interference in eating or sleep can impact academic performance, social development, and emotional well-being. The University of Illinois offers confidential services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric services, and specialized screenings, which are covered through the Student Health Fee. If you or someone you know experiences any of the above mental health concerns, it is strongly encouraged to contact or visit any of the University’s resources provided below. Getting help is a smart and courageous thing to do for yourself and those who care about you.
Counseling Center (217) 333-3704
McKinley Health Center (217) 333-2700
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255
Rosecrance Crisis Line (217) 359-4141 (available 24/7, 365 days a year)
If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Community of Care
As members of the Illinois community, we each have a responsibility to express care and concern for one another. If you encounter a classmate whose behavior concerns you, whether regarding their well-being or yours, we encourage you to refer this behavior to the Student Assistance Center (217-333-0050 or http://odos.illinois.edu/community-of-care/referral/). Based on your report, the staff in the Student Assistance Center reaches out to students to ensure they have the support they need to be healthy and safe.
Further, as a Community of Care, we want to support your overall wellness. Students sometimes face challenges impacting academic performance (including mental health concerns, food insecurity, homelessness, and personal emergencies). Should you find that you are managing such a challenge and interfering with your coursework, you are encouraged to contact the Student Assistance Center (SAC) in the Office of the Dean of Students for support and referrals to campus and/or community resources.
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