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INTRODUCTION TO CARTOGRAPHY & GIS introduces the basic concepts and techniques for the manipulation, analysis, and the graphic representation of spatial information. The course examines the processing, compilation and symbolization of spatial data and the application of related statistical techniques. Emphasis is placed on the technology of mapping, particularly the Internet, computer mapping, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. The course prepares students for further course work in geographic information science and technology.
RESOURCES
COURSE CONDUCT
Readings and course participation, designed to supplement such readings, form the core of the course. Students are held responsible for all referenced offline and online materials. Be prepared to answer questions on the designated days as this will constitute part of the course participation grade. The use of computers is not allowed during lectures.
MATERIALS
1) Copies will be distributed from a book on Internet Cartography
2) Calculator (with square root function) for scale calculations. Bring the calculator to class on the days that we do scale calculations, and to the mid-term and final exams.
3) Storage device. A USB flash drive to back-up all assignments.
4) Clicker and activation. Bring clicker to Monday lectures.
5) Ability to access to http://myfolder.unomaha.edu/
GRADING
For undergraduates, final grades will be based on the exams (40%), the assignments (40%) and course participation (20%). For graduate students, the final grade is based on the exams (30%), the assignments (30%), course participation (20%), and a final project (20%).
Course participation is based on answering questions in class from the readings (some with clickers), being prepared for the labs and helping other students when they encounter problems with the exercises.
Grading is carried through on the total points accumulated. Letter grades are assigned in the following way: A+: 97 and above; A: 93-97; A-: 90-93; B+: 87-90; B: 83-87; B-: 80-83; etc.
EXAMS
Two exams will be given, a mid-term and a final. Both exams will consist of short answer and essay questions, as shown in the sample exam links above. Some of the questions from the sample exams will be included on the actual exams.
ASSIGNMENTS
All assignments are due one week after they are assigned. Except for the scale assignment, all are submitted as web pages. You will be shown how to submit assignments to a web folder and how to link all of these assignments from a single file called "index.html". The exercises that you submit will represent an online portfolio of your work and will remain accessible as long as you are a student.
FINAL PROJECT (graduate students only):
The final project will be a web page that deals with some aspect of cartography and GIS. The exact topic will be chosen in consultation with the professor. |