Geospatial Science Fundamentals GGS 550-001 (3 Credits) Fall Semester 2010 Class Meets: Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. - 7:10 p.m., 135 Innovation Hall Instructor: Dr. Douglas J. Wheeler Voice Mail: (703) 648-7577, e-mail address: dwheeler@usgs.gov Geography Computer Lab: Robinson A113, lab phone 703-993-1209 Assignment Home Page: http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_clarke_gsgis_4 Course Objectives: In this class you will be introduced to one of the most exciting and fastest growing fields related to information analysis. Geospatial science is revolutionizing the decision-making capabilities of resource managers and planners by giving a wealth of data and spatial analytical tools. This class is to help you: 1 - Comprehend the terminology and theories behind geospatial science; 2 - Understand the usefulness of geoprocessing as a tool for manipulating and analyzing data; 3 - Gain practical "hands on" experience using GIS software for simple analysis. During class periods we will talk about general theory behind geospatial concepts, discuss applications of remote sensing and GIS, and review issues related to outside assignments. Your work in this course will include self-directed exercises. Grading Criteria: Grade 2 Examinations (75 points each) 150 280-300 pts. A 9 Self-Directed Assignments (-,, +) 100 272-279 pts. A- Annotated Bibliography 25 264-271 pts. B+ Final Essay 25 250-263 pts. B TOTAL 300 points 242-249 pts. B- 234-241 pts. C+ 220-233 pts. C Examinations - A mid-term and final exam will be given during the semester. The dates for these exams are listed on the schedule of topics. Each exam will cover lecture materials, reading assignments, student assignments, and class discussions. Formats will include identification of terms, matching, diagrams, and short essay questions. Specifics of these exams will be discussed in class prior to the examination dates. Self-Directed Assignments - During this semester we will have nine self-directed assignments that are to be completed outside of structured class time. These assignments are designed to give you "hands-on" experience exploring the many resources available in geographic science and to reinforce the concepts we have discussed in class. These assignments are graded on a -,, + basis (for low effort, average work, and outstanding job) which correspond to 5, 10, and 15 points, respectively. There will be very few + grades given out each time, indicating clearly superior effort. Annotated Bibliography - Staying abreast of recently published literature is essential for becoming knowledgeable in the rapidly changing field of geospatial science. Besides your assigned readings, you are expected to peruse through recent books, journals or technical papers related to these topics. I m expecting students to be reading at least two outside articles per week. At the end of the semester you will turn in a typed annotated bibliography on a particular aspect of geospatial research or application. With each bibliographic reference, type a paragraph summarizing information contained in the article/chapter. This bibliography must be turned in by the last day of lecture (Dec. 8th). Final Essay Students are expected to complete a final essay on a topic of the instructor s choice. This essay will be due on the day of the final exam (Dec. 15th).
Course Outline Date Topics Discussed Sep. 1 Course intro terminology geographic information geoscience geomatics applications 8 Map properties grids projections scale distance direction coord. systems surveys 15 Cognitive maps communication map design map characteristics Asst #1 due 22 Digital data raster storage vector storage raster-to-vector input error Asst #2 due 29 DBMS data structures spatial database design spatial data models Asst #3 due Oct. 6 No Class 13 No Class 20 Data classification representing spatial data symbols & spatial patterns Asst #4 due Oct. 27 MID-TERM EXAM Nov. 3 Remote sensing principles aerial photos & film image interpretation keys Asst #5 due 10 Digital remote sensing platforms & sensors classification RS applications Asst #6 due 17 Raster & vector operations, analytical functions, capabilities, comparisons Asst #7 due 24 No Class Dec. 1 Terrain modeling network analyses urban/rural geospatial applications Asst #8 due 8 Trends in GIS hardware software expert systems Asst #9 due, Bibliography Due Dec. 15 FINAL EXAM Final Essay Due
GEOMATICS - DAY 1 Introductions Class Guidelines Geographic Information places on Earth s surface where what geographic resolution static or dynamic digital data 3 Domains of description entity object symbol Examples of geographic information technologies geodesy remote sensing cartography geographic information systems 4 Subsystems of GIS input storage & retrieval manipulation & analysis output 3 Environments of GIS hardware software institutional Geographic Information SCIENCE Geomatics science behind technology spatial vs. geographic multidisciplinary field geographic information technologies digital technologies Earth studies integrated studies human understanding GIS applications utility companies transportation farming forestry Questions asked of GIScience GEOMATICS - DAY 3 Cognitive Maps spatial patterns of object w/o direct physical contact or observation Egocentric centers, paths, networks Geocentric cardinal directions, crow flies, spatial arrangements Communication Direct & Indirect Perception Role of Experience Communication through Maps Source Encoder Channel (& noise) Decoder Recipient Real World Map Maker Map Eye/Mind Coord. Map Reader Verbal vs. Graphic communication Controls of Map Design Technical constraints Objective of Map Real World Scale Audience Graphic Elements of Map Design Legibility Visual contrast Balance Figure-ground phenomenon Hierarchy of information Typography Ancillary Information Types of Maps Reference Thematic Image Characteristics of Maps Abstracted selection, classification, simplification, exaggeration, symbolization Artistic additions Static Out-of-date Good for some questions Bad for others GEOMATICS - DAY 2 What kind of shape is this world in? Shapes round, sphere, ellipsoid, oblate spheroid, geoid Datums vertical, horizontal Geographic Grid (graticule) References poles, equator, prime meridian Latitude, Longitude (parallels, meridians) Universal Time, Coordinated (UTC) Determining latitude/longitude Map Projections Globe properties shape, distance, direction, size Families azimuthal, cylindrical, conic, mathematical Properties Map Scale Representations verbal, fraction, ratio, graphic LARGE vs. small Distance Measurements abstract, conventional, time Directions Measurements Routes, targets, clock numerals, compass (headings, points, degrees) Other Locational Systems Plane coordinate systems Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) State Plane Coordinates GPS Land Partitioning Metes & bounds Long lots Public land survey (USPLS) GEOMATICS - DAY 4 Characteristics of Digital Data raster & vector Raster structures & data storage Values Layers Encoding values into cells Predominant category rule Center dot rule Random dot rule Average Hierarchical classes Vector-String (spaghetti) structures Vector-Topological structures Topological relationships based on connectedness Data Input - Vector Manual digitizing Line-following devices Coordinate geometry (COGO) Data Input Raster Cameras Electro-mechanical scanners Linear photodiode arrays Raster-to-Vector conversion Filling, 2-step filling, node marking, make vectors, point reduction, line smoothing Error in Data Input Accuracy vs. Precision Positional accuracy Attribute accuracy Evidences of digitizing errors
GEOMATICS - DAY 5 Database models Total DBMS solution Mixed DBMS solution Standard components of DBMS File structures Tabular (flat) Hierarchical Network Relational Joins & Normalization Spatial database design 1-Identify & define entity types 2-Choose appropriate spatial representation Spatial location absolute vs. relative Grouping into layers Integrated terrain units Spatial database models Point data Attribute table Line data Infrastructure & natural networks Area data Discrete & mosaic Holes & islands Attribute tables Continuous surfaces Grid Contours TIN Relationships among spatial objects Coding relationships as attributes GEOMATICS - DAY 7 What is Remote Sensing? Electromagnetic Spectrum Interactions of EM Radiation and Objects Spectral Reflectance of Healthy Vegetation Visible Near Infrared Middle Infrared Other Spectral Signatures Properties of Aerial Photos Vantage Points Camera Platforms Filters Films Mission Planning Photogrammetry Scale Height Stereoscopy Orthophotos Elements of Visual Interpretation Tone / Color Size Shape Texture Pattern Height Shadow Site Association GEOMATICS - DAY 6 Classifying Information Dimension point, line, area, surface Continuity discrete, discontinuous, continuous Temporality status, trend Tangibility tangible, abstract Levels of Measurement Nominal (name) Ordinal (rank) Interval (serial) Ratio (absolute scale) Areal Representation of Data Choroplethic Dasymetric Isoplethic, Isometric Representing Statistics through Symbolization Points Lines Areas Surfaces Perspective views Misleading with Maps Interpreting Cultural Patterns on Maps Survey systems Transportation patterns Rural settlement Urban streets GEOMATICS - DAY 8 Digital Remote Sensing Data characteristics Platforms and Sensors Cross-track vs. Along-track scanners Sampling Intervals Characteristics of Landsat and SPOT data Other sensors Geographic Rectification of Images Spatial interpolation Intensity interpolation Image Classification Supervised approach Unsupervised approach Classification Strategies Parallelepiped Minimum distance Maximum likelihood Land Classification Schemes a priori vs. a posteriori Remote Sensing data as layers in a GIS GIS used in classifying RS images
GEOMATICS - DAY 9 Raster GIS Functions Local operations Recoding Overlays Local neighborhood operations Filtering Slope & Aspect Extended neighborhood operations Distance Buffers Viewshed Operations on zones Clump & Sieve Perimeter, area, shape Data description and statistics Cross-tabulate Vector GIS Functions Simple display and query SQL phrases Boolean operators Reclassify, dissolve & merge Topological overlay Point - Polygon Line - Polygon Polygon - Polygon Points-in Polygon Centroids and skeletons Buffering Recommendations for Raster vs. Vector GEOMATICS - DAY 11 Trends in GIScience Hardware Processor Performance Fast geoprocessing Better processor architecture Parallel processing and multi-tasking RISC (reduced instruction set) computing Memory & data storage Peripheral Devices Input devices Output devices GIS Development Enterprise computing & GIS Spatial data warehouses Interoperability & Open GIS National geospatial data infrastructure (NSDI) Internet & its impact on GIS Xerox (1993) first to deliver map data over internet GIS servers (in addition to Web server) client-pull vs. server-push approach Categories of internet GIS applications Static maps or snapshots Dynamic maps or cartographic animation Geospatial data catalogs Geog Info Search Engine Real-Time map browsers Geospatial web services Location-Based services Expert Systems Components of E.S. Steps in building an E.S. Reasoning approaches (deductive, inductive) Examples of E.S. in GIS GEOMATICS - DAY 10 Terrain Modeling Familiar and non-familiar surfaces Raster and vector elevation data formats Raster DEM Water drainage patterns Watershed delineation Triangulated Irregular Networks Triangulating a TIN Delaunay triangulation Storing TINs Points and neighbors Triangle by triangle Algorithms on TINs Slope and aspect Contours Drainage networks Network Analysis Pathfinding Shortest path problem Best path problem Traveling salesman problem Transportation problem Traffic assignment problem Allocation Facility siting Application of Network Analysis Locating a private school Examples of Geospatial Science Applications