MAF 562
Introduction to Spatial Analysis

Suggested Readings:

  1. An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems,  3rd ed. By 
    Kang-tsung Chang. McGraw Hill 2005.
  2. ArcGIS9.1: Using Spatial Analyst. ESRI, 2004
  3. ArcGIS9.1: Using Geostatistical Analyst.

Additional Readings:To be given as handouts

Course Description: MAF 562 is a combined lecture and lab course in spatial analysis. The course will deal with the basic concepts of spatial analysis with a focus on raster data models. Hands on exercises on spatial analysis related to marine resources issues will be done in class using ArcGIS 9.1 desktop software.

Course Objectives: At the end of the course, students should:

Course Format: Class meets MW for 1.5 hours. 15 to 30 minutes of the Monday class will be used for lecture and discussion. The remainder of the class and the Wednesday class will be used for hands on exercises. Powerpoint presentations will be used for the lectures. Please download the weekly lecture before the Monday class.

Exercises: Class exercises are due at the end of the period on Wednesday. If you did not complete the exercise, you will be given until Friday to turn in the exercise. Late exercises will not be accepted.

Homework: Class homework will be given on Monday and will be due at the beginning of the class period the next Monday. Late homework will not be accepted.

Lab Notebook: You are required to have a lab notebook. Your lab notebook should have the printed copy (notes format) of the weekly presentation. You will use this to jot down your class notes.

Group Project: You will submit a GIS paper as a group project. Each group will have 2 to 3 members. You can select members of your group. The group will write a paper on a specific GIS project related to environmental and marine science issues. The paper should focus on the use of spatial analysis for decision making. The paper should have at least 12 pages, with at most 4 pages of GIS maps. The group will present the paper on the last week of the semester. The presentation, in powerpoint,  should be between 25-30 minutes. Each member should participate in the presentation.

NO: EXAMS:

Grading:

Exercises: 25%
Homework: 25%
Lab Notebook: 10%
Project: 20%
Presentation 20%

Syllabus:

Week 1 - 4: Review of Vector Data Model
Introduction to Raster Data Model
Raster Data Analysis
Spatial Interpolation
Readings: Chang Chapters 10, 11, 13
HW (wk1) Chang:  Chap 11, Tasks 5, Challenge task
HW (wk2) Chang: Chap 5,  Tasks 1-3, Challenge task
HW (wk3) Chang: Chap 13, Tasks 1-3
HW (wk4) Chang: Chap 13, Tasks 4,5, and Challenge task
Week 5 - 7 Terrain Mapping and Analysis
Digital Elevation Model
Watersheds and Hydrological Models
Readings: Chang: Chapter 14, 15, and class handouts
HW (wk5) Chang: Chap 14, Tasks 1-3, Challenge Task
HW (wk6) Chang: Chap 15, Tasks 1-3, Challenge Task
HW (wk7) To be given in class
Week 8 - 10 Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
Fundamentals of Remote Sensing
Remote Sensing Applications
Environmental Assessment
Natural Disaster Assessment
Water Resource Application
Readings: Class Handouts
HW (wks 8-10): To be given in class
Week 11 - 12 Introduction to Geostatistics
What is geostatistics
Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis
Surface prediction and modeling
Readings: Class handouts
HW (wks 11-12): To be given in class
Week 13 In class project work
Week 14 Project Presentation