GEOL 231 Welcome Letter
Advanced Geographic Information Systems
crn 74706
Instructor: Sigfrido Gomez
Contact Information
Email: sigfrido_gomez@cuesta.edu
Course meetings: This is a nine week course that runs from October 18th to December 17th. This course is a fully online/DE course.
Office location: online via Zoom
Office hours: TBD and by appointment
Phone: I do not maintain a phone on campus. Urgent messages can be left with the Division Assistant at x3230.
Prerequisite: GEOL 230 Introduction to GIS
Course Description
Introduces students to problem-solving and decision making using spatial analysis techniques, applicable to a range of disciplines. Directed at developing more advanced analysis tools in GIS software including but not limited to network analysis, geodatabases, and overlay analysis. Reinforces replication of methods and results through graphical scripting tools. Culminates in independent research project to apply skills and build a map portfolio.
Student Learning Outcomes and Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
- Prepare data for use in analysis.
- Determine an appropriate approach to solving a spatial problem or answering a question using geospatial tools and methods.
- Run geoprocessing tools individually and implement a model to run several tools in sequence.
- Manage and organize products of geospatial analysis.
- Present the results of a geospatial analysis using appropriate terminology and visualizations.
Canvas and Online Learning Information
The lectures and other required materials for this course will be administered through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). The course will be available starting Sunday, October 18th. Canvas will be used to administer lectures, take quizzes, submit lab assignments, download course data, find web resources, check your grades, attend online office hours, and chat with the instructor and other students on a message board. If you need assistance logging into Canvas, go to the Cuesta Distance Education website for this quick reference guide: Canvas Quick Reference Guide linkLinks to an external site.. Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site.. Additional information will be provided for you on the Canvas site for this course.
Online learning is not for everyone; some people may not be able to manage a course that does not meet face to face to learn. Online learning requires lots of planning and self-pacing so that you may be successful in my course. Since I will be covering a large amount of material in 18 weeks, I would highly recommend staying on schedule and keeping up with lectures and quizzes. Please do not be tempted to skip two weeks of lectures and expect to catch up easily. You may want to consider taking this self-assessment to determine if you are a good candidate for an online course. Go to the Online Readiness ResourcesLinks to an external site. to take this self-assessment. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success.
Instructor Contact Expectations
Regular and effective instructor contact will be met through Zoom lectures and demonstrations, weekly discussions, announcements, timely feedback on assignments, email, and Zoom (virtual) office hours. I expect to interact with you online at least twice a week. I will respond to emails sent during the regular work week (M – F) within 24 hours. All assignments and assessments will be graded and returned to you with feedback within one week. Grading rubrics will be provided for all assignments and the final project. (What is a rubric? Click hereLinks to an external site. to find out more.)
Course materials
- Optional textbook (available in the bookstore or online at https://www.xanedu.com/higher-education/educators/custom-books-catalog/gis_fundamentals_6e/Links to an external site. ):
- GIS Fundamentals, by Paul Bolstad, 6th edition
- Webcam for meetings and taking exams – can be purchased with student discount at http://store.collegebuys.org/Links to an external site.. You can also try Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon or other retailers.
- Required software (available from Cuesta College):
- ESRI ArcGIS Pro version 2.7 – software available for download with ArcGIS Online account and available in the campus Open Computer Labs engineering computers (both SLO and NCC).
- ESRI ArcGIS Online software – you will receive an email from the campus site administrator to set up your account. This software is web based and does not need to be installed.
The software site license for Cuesta College provides student versions of the software for you to install on your personal computers. Your instructor will email you with the instructions before class begins. It is strongly recommended that you run the software on a computer with Windows. ArcGIS software can be installed on a Mac, but it requires a dual boot environment using an app such as Boot Camp. You should have a good level of experience with software installation if you plan to install the software on your Mac. You can check your system’s compatibility on the ESRI website: ArcGIS system requirements link.Links to an external site.
Optional item:
A flash drive to store your data and assignments. I recommend a minimum of 16 GB of storage.
Technical support
If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser. I do not recommend using the smartphone or tablet app for tasks other than checking due dates and grades due to limited functionality. Cuesta students are encouraged to direct all Canvas technical support inquiries to support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas outside of normal working hours, you can contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.
Accommodations
If you need any special accommodations for a disability, please contact the instructor as soon as possible. Students are also encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) in the High Tech Learning Center on the first floor of the 3300 building), by phone at (805) 591-3148 or email at dspsinfo@cuesta.eduLinks to an external site. as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. More information is available on the website at Cuesta College DSPS website link.Links to an external site.
College and Course policies
The College defines cheating as taking an examination or performing an assigned, evaluated task in a dishonest way, such as by having improper access to answers or submitting work that is not your own (Cuesta College Academic HonestyLinks to an external site. statement link). I take this matter very seriously. Students caught being academically dishonest may receive a failing grade on the assignments in question, be dropped from the class, or be failed in the course. Beyond this, the student may be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Vice President of Student Services or designee.
Although I do not take attendance in this course, your participation will be monitored on Canvas and through work completed during the laboratory period. If you have not logged onto Canvas by the add deadline, you will be dropped from the course. In addition, if you miss more than 3 laboratory periods, you may be dropped from the course. After the withdrawal with a “W” deadline, and you are no longer participating in the course, you must drop the course on your own or you will receive a failing grade.
For those students trying to add the course, please refer to the college waitlist procedure and instructions. It is important that you are checking your myCuesta email daily so you do not miss your enrollment opportunity. See Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site..
icons at the top right corner of the subsection.