Department of Geography, Planning & Environment

Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

GEOG 363 Geographic Information Systems (CROSS LISTED AS URBS 335)

General Information
Term: Summer 2024 August 5th – 23th
Prerequisites: GEOG 260 or URB260 permission of the Department
Number of credits: 3
Class time: M-F, 9-12h
Lab time: M-F, 13-15h Tutorial time: M-F, 15-17h
Class room
H 1271 Lab room: H 1254
Instructor Information
Name: Donny Seto
E-mail: [email protected]
Office hours: By Appointment Only
TA Information (if applicable)
Name:

E-mail:
IMPORTANT DATES
Last day to register: Monday, August 12th, 2024
Last day to withdraw (refund): Monday, August 12th, 2024
Last day to discontinue (no refund): Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
Last day of in-class testing: Friday August 23th, 2024
Final exams: Friday, August 23th, 2024
Travel arrangements should not be made prior to the posting of the final Exam Schedule.

Course Overview
This course is an introduction to current theoretical and practical approaches to Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) through which students acquire basic skills and understanding in the use of GIS for spatial
analysis. Training is centred on a series of practical assignments using ArcGIS software and for the term
project, students explore the potential of GIS for addressing a real-world problem. Lectures and laboratory.
NOTE: Students who have received credit for URBS 335, 387, or 487 may not take this course for credit.

Learning Outcomes
Substantive Knowledge (Theory)
• To grasp fundamental GIS knowledge, concepts and techniques required in analyzing both
environmental and urban issues.
• To understand the potential of GIS for complex spatial analysis.
• To develop a critical perspective on the technical and political dimensions of results and documents
produced with GIS.
Applicable Skillsets (Use of GIS)
• To develop a basic operative knowledge of the main functions in a GIS software (ArcGIS).
• To learn how to use GIS software to address real-world issues.
• To learn to communicate effectively with digital maps.

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Department of Geography, Planning & Environment
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

Instructional Method
Lectures are held in person over three weeks. These lectures expose the students to the key concepts behind
GIS which are fundamental for a meaningful and proper use of the technology. Lectures and labs are highly
interrelated and the lab sections to directly apply the concepts introduced during the lectures. Lecture material
will be posted on Moodle daily after lectures. Please check our Moodle course page daily for any quiz
notifications and for updates on lecture and lab materials.

The ArcGIS training is centered on a series of practical assignments using the software. During the first week of
the term, students’ progress collectively through the labs to ensure a general understanding of the basic of the
software and how to start mapping spatial data for their first assignment. In the second week, students are
gaining experience and start to do the labs on their own with written handouts and working on assignment 2 and
3. The final week we will address some more advanced GIS uses and on the final day is a final exam. The main
objective is for students to be able to apply and combine the GIS concepts and techniques from this course to
address real-world problems, and to be able to start working independently with GIS. During the summer
semester, tutorial times are provided with live support to finish labs work and assignments.

Please note, in this intensive format of the summer online GIS course, each day is the equivalent of one week
from the regular semester. Any missed classes or incomplete labs will likely lead quickly lead to falling behind
on a week’s worth of material. There will also be little time to catch up and acquire the necessary background to
understand the content presented in class, which are required to complete the labs and assignments. Given the
compressed time frame for this course, emails will likely not be answered in a timely matter. If students have
any questions or would like to discuss any issues, please contact the instructor or the TA immediately during
lecture periods or during the lab/tutorial times.

Expectations for Student Participation

Student’s work will include, completing lectures, labs and work on assignments. There will also be lecture and
lab homework almost daily. Homework will be counted for participation grade and for periodic feedback.
Students must keep up with Moodle announcement’s that are forwarded to their emails. Quizzes will be
announced in class and on Moodle, once announced you will have approximately 24 hours to complete the quiz.
Once this time has passed, quizzes will no longer be able and you will receive a grade of zero.
Assignments are due before 5pm on the assigned due date. If assignments are not handed in on time, a 10%
penalty per day late starting immediately afterward the lab has started.

Required Online Textbook:

1. Campbell, J., Shin, M. 2011, Essentials of Geographic Information Systems, Saylor Foundation.
Available online at the following link below:
https://resources.saylor.org/wwwresources/archived/site/textbooks/Essentials%20of%20Geogr
aphic%20Information%20Systems.pdf
2. Statistic Canada, 2021, Guide to the Census of Population, 2021-
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/ref/98-304/index-eng.cfm
Suggested Extra Course Materials
1. Geographic Information Organization, Access, and Use https://link-springer-com.lib-
ezproxy.concordia.cook/10.1007%2F978-3-319-22789-4
2. Geospatial Analysis - A comprehensive guide http://www.spatialanalysisonline.com/
3. GIS Commons: An Introductory Textbook on Geographic Information Systems http://giscommons.org/
4. BASIS …for GIS Education, Applications and Software http://www.innovativegis.com/basis/
5. Very Spatial – Podcast on GIS 655 podcast and counting. (First 10 provide a good intro to GIS)
http://veryspatial.com/category/feature/

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 Department of Geography, Planning & Environment
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

Course Schedule (Subject to change) Readings mostly from Campbell and Shin, 2011
Date Related
Description Laboratory Topics
Assign Due 5pm Readings
Mon, Aug. 5 Outline of Course and N/A L1: Getting Started with
Introduction ArcGIS Pro
Intro to GIS

Tue, Aug. 6 GIS Data Types & Ch. 1 L2: Basics of Mapping
Background for ArcGIS
Wed, Aug.7 Map Design Ch. 2.1 Ch. 9 L3: Projections and
Queries
Assign. 1 – Mapping
Reference Data

Thu, Aug. 8 Map Projections & Ch. 2.2 Assign. 1 - Work session
Coordinate Systems &
Ch 6.2 and Q/A
Data Tables
Fri, Aug. 9 Attribute Data & L4: Tabular and Spatial
Ch. 3, Ch 5
Assign. 1 Due Relational Data tables Joins
Data Visualization and Analysis

Mon, Aug.12 Thematic Mapping L5: Thematic Mapping

Ch 6.3 Assign. 2 – Mapping
Thematic Data
Tue, Aug. 13 Vector Data Model Work session and Q/A for
Ch. 4.2
Assign. 2
Wed, Aug. Vector Data Analysis Ch 7 L6: Georeferencing and
14 Digitizing

Raster Data Model

Thu, Aug. 15 Ch 4.1 L7: Vector Analysis
Assign. 2 Due
Fri, Aug. 16 Raster Data Analysis L8: Raster Analysis
Ch. 8.1, 8.2
Assign. 3. – Site Analysis

Mon, Aug. Measurements / Terrain & Ch. 8.3

Work session and Q/A for
19 Viewshed Analysis
Assign. 3
Final Exam Review
GIS Application

Tue, Aug. 20 Spatial Statistics & Census Ch. 6.1

Data 2021Guide L9: Spatial and 3D Analyst
Census C11
Wed,Aug.21 GIS Lab open at 9am
L10: Census Tutorial
Assign. 3 Due No lecture
Thu, Aug. 22 Free Study Day (no lecture, no lab)
Fri, Aug. 23 15. Final Exam (2h) 9-11am

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Department of Geography, Planning & Environment
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

Evaluation
Evaluations for the class include, assignments, exams, quizzes and homework. Assignments are used to test
students applied understand of GIS. Exams and Quizzes will be used to test students acquired GIS knowledge
derived from the lecture and labs. The homework will not be graded, instead each homework is awarded a point
if the tasks are completed. Please follow the handout instructions, objectives and evaluation guidelines for each
assignment.
GRADE ITEMS DUE DATE % OF FINAL GRADE

LECTURE AND LAB HOMEWORK NA 10%

A1 - REFERENCE MAPPING AUG 9 15%

A2 - THEMATIC MAPPING AUG 15 15%

A3 – VECTOR AND RASTER ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION AUG 21 20%

MOODLE QUIZZES (BEST 3 OF AT LEAST 4) NA 15%

FINAL EXAM AUG 23 25%

More information on university regulations concerning evaluation can be found here. The grading system is
described in section 16.1.11 of the Undergraduate Calendar.

Please note that for 200-level courses, instructors in the Department of Geography, Planning and Environment
reserve the right to adjust the final reported grades so that under normal circumstances no more than 25% of
students registered in a course receive an outstanding grade (A-, A, A+).
A+ 90 – 100 B+ 77 - 79 C+ 67 - 69 D+ 57 - 59 F 0 - 49
A 85 – 89 B 73 - 76 C 63 - 66 D 53 - 56 NR No report
A- 80 – 84 B- 70 - 72 C- 60 - 62 D- 50 - 52

University Regulations
Students should be aware of the following university regulations (see Undergraduate Calendar for complete
details).
• Late Completion of courses with “INC” notations – Procedures and Regulations (Undergraduate
Calendar 16.3.5)
• Academic Re-evaluation (Undergraduate Calendar 16.3.9)
• Degree Requirements for BA, BSc, BEd – 24 credit rule and general education requirements for
students in degree programs offered by Faculty of Arts & Science (Undergraduate Calendar 31.003)

Class Cancellation
Classes are officially considered cancelled if an instructor is 15 minutes late for a 50-minute class, 20
minutes late for a 75-minute class, or 30 minutes late for longer classes.

Intellectual Property
Content belonging to instructors shared in courses, including, but not limited to, lectures, course
notes, and video recordings remain the intellectual property of the faculty member. It may not be
distributed, published or broadcast, in whole or in part, without the express permission of the faculty
member. Students are also forbidden to use their own means of recording any elements of an online
class or lecture without express permission of the instructor. Any unauthorized sharing of course
content may constitute a breach of the Academic Code of Conduct and/or the Code of Rights and

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Department of Geography, Planning & Environment
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

Responsibilities. As specified in the Policy on Intellectual Property, the University does not claim any
ownership of or interest in any student IP. All university members retain copyright over their work.

Extraordinary Circumstances
In the event of extraordinary circumstances and pursuant to the Academic Regulations, the
University may modify the delivery, content, structure, forum, location and/or evaluation scheme. In
the event of such extraordinary circumstances, students will be informed of the changes.

Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means that every student must be honest and accurate in their work. The
Academic Code of Conduct includes rules and regulations students must follow. Unacceptable
practices include the following

• Copy from ANYWHERE without saying from where it came.

• Omit quotation marks for direct quotations.
• Let another student copy your work and then submit it as his/her own.
• Hand in the same assignment in more than one class without permission.
• Have unauthorized material in an exam, such as cheat sheets, or crib notes. YOU DON'T
HAVE TO BE CAUGHT USING THEM - JUST HAVING THEM WILL GET YOU INTO TROUBLE!
• Copy from someone else's exam.
• Communicate with another student during an exam by talking or using some form of
signals.
• Add or remove pages from an examination booklet or take the booklet out of an exam
room.
• Get hold of or steal an exam or assignment answers or questions.
• Write a test or exam for someone else or have someone write it for you.
• Hand in false documents such as medical notes, transcript or record.
• Falsify data or research results.

PLAGIARISM: The most common offense under the Academic Code of Conduct (see link below) is
plagiarism, which the Code defines as "the presentation of the work of another person as one's own
or without proper acknowledgement."

This could be material copied word for word from books, journals, internet sites, professor's
course notes, etc. It could be material that is paraphrased but closely resembles the original
source. It could be the work of a fellow student, such as an answer on a quiz, data for a lab report,
or a paper or assignment completed by another student. It could be a paper purchased through
one of the many available sources. Plagiarism does not refer to words alone. It can also refer to
copying images, graphs, tables, and ideas. Plagiarism is not limited to written work. It also applies
to oral presentations, computer assignments and artistic works. Finally, if you translate the work
of another person into French or English and do not cite the source, this is also plagiarism. In
simple words: DO NOT COPY, PARAPHRASE OR TRANSLATE ANYTHING FROM ANYWHERE
WITHOUT SAYING FROM WHERE YOU OBTAINED IT!

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Department of Geography, Planning & Environment
Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Concordia University

Take care to inform yourself of the rules, regulations and expectations for academic integrity.
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