SUR 2390C - Introduction to Geographical Information Systems

I. Instructor Information

Name: Barika Poole, PE

Email: bpoole8@valenciacollege.edu

Office Hours:  Appointments may be made at mutually convenient times.

Virtual Hours: Contact me via Canvas inbox

II. Course Information

Course Description

This course introduces the concepts and components of a geographic information system (GIS). It also teaches the essential skills of operating a functional GIS through the use of QGIS software package. By completing this course, students will understand the operational processes of spatial data acquisition, editing and QA/QC, metadata development, geodatabase design, spatial query and display, spatial analysis and modeling, preliminary GIS application development, cartographic mapping and dynamic visualization, and GIS implementation basics.

Text Book

First Edition

Modality of Instruction

 Online 

Assignments

 All assignments are due one week from the assignments unless otherwise noted.  

Your attendance for this class will be based on submitting weekly assignments. If you miss more than 3 weekly assignments, you may be withdrawn from this course.

Location of Course

Online

Prerequisite

 Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), online learning platform (Canvas), and Internet browsing

Required Course Technology/Material

The textbook listed above must be purchased in order to obtain the required software evaluation code and exercises used in the textbook.

Required Technical Skills

Ability to use computer and Canvas Learning System, Ability to download PDF prints.

Learning Outcomes

Providing an understanding of basic skills necessary to work with GIS, predominantly using  software
Introducing students to GIS software and techniques 
Teaching spatial data visualization techniques along with introductory knowledge of effective cartography and additional software for the production of maps and other information graphics
Teaching skills needed to develop and execute a project requiring GIS as management, analytical, and/or visualization tool
Identifying and accessing publicly available data sets
Providing an introductory understanding of the ethical questions surrounding data creation, analysis, and representation

Course Communication

All assignments will be completed on Canvas. If you have questions, please contact me via Atlas at my email: bpoole8@valenciacollege.edu.  I will respond within 48 hours; if not sooner if I am able.

III. Grading Procedures

Grading Categories

70 % - Labs - Assignments from Text Book

30 % - Exams

See the Course Summary at the bottom of the page for a list of assignments etc.

Grading Scale

A - 90-100

B - 80-89

C - 70-79

D - 60-69

F - 0-59

IV. College Links

Valencia Academic Calendar

Valencia Catalog

Valencia Policies

Valencia Student Handbook

Learning/Course Support

Canvas Student Guide

Student Services

V. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism

Software is used to detect and prevent plagiarism.

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to "plagiarize" means

to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own

to use (another's production) without crediting the source

to commit literary theft

to present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.

In other words, plagiarism is an act of fraud. It involves both stealing someone else's work and lying about it afterward. Please refer to Valencia College's Plagiarism Resources (Link).

Valencia Academic Dishonesty Policy

All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, acts or attempted acts of plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, facilitating academic dishonesty, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive.

All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts, research, and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged.

Students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the responsibility of the students' individual professor.

Please refer to Valencia College's Academic Dishonesty policy (Link).

VI. Accommodations

Office for Students with Disabilities

Valencia is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and services are accessible to students with disabilities. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) determines reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified students with documented disabilities based upon the need and impact of the specific disability. To obtain a letter of accommodation, contact OSD at 407-582-2229.

For more information refer to the Office for Students with Disabilities (Link).

BayCare Student Assistance Services

For more information refer to BayCare (Link).

VII. Policies

Netiquette

The term "netiquette" refers to the awareness of the need for a certain code of behavior (etiquette) in electronic environments (the net) ... Net + Etiquette = netiquette. Netiquette, while a general term, is complex at specific levels because there are so many different kinds of electronic environments, and so many different situations in which we may find ourselves in those environments.
Since this class will be focusing on areas where electronic communication play a key, if as yet undefined role in technical and professional communication, it is our responsibility to be aware of our textual presence as it reflects upon our professional responsibilities, to ourselves and to our parents and students.
In order to maintain a positive online environment for our class, we all need to follow the netiquette guidelines summarized below.

All students are expected to:

show respect for the instructor and for other students in the class

respect the privacy of other students

express differences of opinion in a polite and rational way

maintain an environment of constructive criticism when commenting on the work of other students

avoid bringing up irrelevant topics when involved in group discussions or other collaborative activities

The following list summarizes the kind of behavior that is not acceptable. Each item listed below is grounds for removal from the class.

Students should not:

Show disrespect for the instructor or for other students in the class

Send messages or comments that are threatening, harassing, or offensive

Use inappropriate or offensive language

Convey a hostile or confrontational tone when communicating or working collaboratively with other students

USE ALL UPPERCASE IN THEIR MESSAGES -- THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING!!!

 Please refer Valencia College's Netiquette Resources (Link).

No Show Policy

Class attendance is required for face-to-face classes beginning with the first class meeting. If you do not attend the first class meeting, you may be withdrawn from the class as a “no show.” Class attendance is required for online classes; students who are not actively participating in an online class and/or do not submit the required attendance activity or assignment by the scheduled due date must be withdrawn by the instructor at the end of the first week as a "no show". If you are withdrawn as a “no show,” you will be financially responsible for the class and a final grade of “WN” will appear on your transcript for the course.”

Attendance Policy

By submitting weekly assignments when they are due, represents attendance in this course.

Make Up/Late Work Policy

All assignments are due the date they are listed. Once the due date has passed the assignment will not be reopened unless there are special circumstances.  

Participation Policy

Class participation consists of completing all assignments, discussions, activities and tests.  If you miss 3 weeks worth of assignments you will be dropped from the course as the missed assignments will be deemed absent for the week the assignment was due.

VIII. Valencia Drop/Withdraw Policy

Administrative Withdrawal

If you owe the college any money after the end of the Drop/Add period, the college has the option to withdraw you from all registered classes. You will still owe the balance plus any other fees if they are charged. You are not eligible for a refund. 

Student Initiated Drop

You can drop a class or all of your classes before the end of the Drop/Add period and are entitled to a 100% refund of the refundable fees. Your Valencia account will be credited, and after all fees have been paid, a check or charge card credit will be issued. Refer to the college catalog for further information.

Student Initiated Withdrawal

You may withdraw from a class or all of your classes after the end of the official Drop/Add period, but before the mid-session withdrawal deadline. However, you are not eligible for a refund. If you owe the college any money, you will still have to pay that balance. Refer to the college catalog for further information. See the Valencia Academic Calendar for withdrawal dates.

Faculty Initiated Withdrawal

According to Valencia policy (Link) a student who withdraws from class before the established deadline for a particular term will receive a grade of “W. A student is not permitted to withdraw after the withdrawal deadline.

A faculty member will withdraw a student up to the withdrawal deadline for violation of the class attendance policy.  A student who is withdrawn by faculty for violation of the class attendance policy will receive a grade of “W”.  After the withdrawal deadline, faculty will not withdraw a student and the student will receive the grade earned at the end of the course.  Any student who withdraws or is withdrawn from a class during a third or subsequent attempt in the same course will be assigned a grade of “F.”  If you do not intend to complete the course, you must withdraw yourself prior to the withdrawal date. 

Class Deletion

You are responsible for payment for all classes not dropped from your schedule by the Drop/Refund Deadline listed in the Important College Calendar Dates section of the catalog and in the Credit Class Schedule. Non-attendance in any course(s) will not qualify you for a waiver of your financial responsibility for the course(s).  If you do not pay by the specified date and time, you may lose all of your classes and will have to attempt to re-register. It is your responsibility to review your account with the college.

If you have further questions please contact the Business Office (Link).

IX: Title IX: DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT, AND RELATED MISCONDUCT

Notice of Non-Discrimination Based on Protected Status

• It is the policy of the District Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the College, without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sex/gender, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, and any other factor protected under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules and regulations (collectively referred to as “Protected Status”).
• In addition, Valencia College (“Valencia” or “College”) strives to be a community in which all members can learn and work in an atmosphere free from all forms of Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, discrimination, intimidation and/or retaliation. This Policy prohibits all forms of Discrimination and Harassment based on Protected Status. It expressly, therefore, also prohibits Sexual Assault and Sexual Exploitation, which by definition involve conduct of a sexual nature and are prohibited forms of Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment. This Policy further prohibits Stalking and Interpersonal Violence, which need not be based on an individual’s Protected Status. Finally, this Policy prohibits Complicity for knowingly assisting in an act that violates this Policy and Retaliation against an individual because of his or her good faith participation in the reporting, investigation, and/or adjudication of violations of this Policy. These behaviors are collectively referred to in this Policy as Prohibited Conduct.
• All members of the College community are responsible for conducting themselves in accordance with this Policy and other College policies and procedures. Valencia students and employees who violate this Policy may face discipline up to and including expulsion or termination.
• The College’s protection of these statuses is grounded in federal, state, and local laws. The College encourages all community members to take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent or stop Prohibited Conduct. Taking action may include direct intervention when safe to do so, seeking assistance from a person in authority at the College, enlisting the assistance of friends, contacting law enforcement, or contacting Campus Safety and Security. Members of the College community who exercise this positive responsibility will be supported by the College and protected from Retaliation.
• The College has an obligation to make reasonable efforts to investigate and address known or suspected instances of Prohibited Conduct. To foster a climate that encourages prevention and reporting of Prohibited Conduct , the College will actively promote prevention efforts, educate the College community, respond to all reports promptly, provide Interim Protective Measures to address safety and emotional well-being, and act in a manner that recognizes the inherent dignity of the individuals involved.

Sexual or Gender Based Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, Interpersonal Violence, and Stalking

• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states that: No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
• Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Exploitation, and Retaliation, as defined in this Policy, are prohibited forms of discrimination under Title IX, which covers all of the College’s programs and activities. Like racial, religious, and national origin Harassment, Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment and Sexual Violence are also prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 760 et al, F.S., and other applicable laws.
• The College’s prohibition against Interpersonal Violence (including domestic and dating violence) and Stalking is also governed by federal law because these forms of behavior are prohibited by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Campus Crime Statistics Act, 20 U.S.C.§ 1092(f) (the Clery Act) and Section 304 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Such acts violate the essential dignity of our community member(s) and are contrary to our institutional values.
• The College, as an educational community, will promptly and equitably respond to reports of Sexual Assault, Interpersonal Violence, and Stalking in order to eliminate the Harassment, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects on any individual or the community. The College recognizes that Sexual Assault, Interpersonal Violence, and Stalking encompass a broad spectrum of conduct and will respond according to both the severity of the offense and the threat it poses to the campus community.

For more information on Title IX and Valencia refer to the Equal Opportunity and Title IX (link).

X. FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law regarding privacy of student records. These rights are transferred to students when he or she reaches the age of eighteen or attends a school beyond the high school level at any age. Due to confidentiality and this law, grades and course progress can only be discussed with the student.

XI. Disclaimer

Changes to the course (including the syllabus) may be made at the discretion of the professor, and students will be notified.