1.   General Course Information

1.1.      Course Description

This course provides a survey of technologies used to represent the earth, collectively referred to as Geospatial Technologies (GTs). Students will gain hands-on experience with GTs, including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Virtual Globes (Google Earth), Remote Sensing, and Web GIS. Students will be taught how geospatial technology is used in business, industry, and government. Students should be comfortable working in PC-based computing environments.

1.2.      Course Objective

Broader developments with information technology have increased the use and application of GTs. For example, GTs have become common place in numerous industries such as telecommunications, civil engineering, and crisis management. Furthermore, 80% of all data contains a spatial component, thus making GTs relevant and applicable to very wide range of information management tasks. The objective of this course is to expose students to foundational concepts and technologies of GTs. Students taking the course will be able to continue with additional GT courses on remote sensing. Geographic Information Systems (GISs), spatial databases, mobile GIS, spatial analysis, geographic visualization, and applications of GTs to environmental, societal, and other problem domains.

1.3.      Course Assumptions

This is an online course, but students should expect to spend as much time and effort in this course as they would in a face-to-face offering. Throughout the semester, you will be required to complete several  lab assignments and readings. Students should expect to spend 3-6 hours outside of class time in order to complete readings and assignments. Students are encouraged to talk to me about their own interests in geospatial technologies.

The myCourses systems will be used for facilitation of the course. Students are expected to know how to use the myCourses system and their RIT email accounts.

2.   Course Materials

2.1.      Textbook, Readings, and Videos

Materials to be assigned by Instructor will be made available through myCourses. There is no official textbook required for this course.

2.2.      Software and Accounts

2.2.1.   ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online

This course will use ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Each student will be provided the required software installer and license during the course. ArcGIS Pro will only work on Windows computers (https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/get-started/arcgis-pro-system-requirements.htm). The RIT Lab will have access to the software as well and arrangements can be made to access the facility. A third option for the software is a Virtual Machine with ArcGIS Pro installed, although using the software locally is highly  recommended. ArcGIS Online should be compatible with any operating system assuming you have access to a modern web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge).

2.3.      Other Materials

You will be required to maintain your own datasets and will need ~16GB of available hard disk or external storage. You may also be required to use a mobile application that will be compatible for iOS or Android. Accommodations can be made if you do not have access to a smart phone or are unable to download applications.

3.   Administrative Information

3.1.      Grades

Grades will be assigned according to points earned throughout the semester. These points are based on the following categories:

Every graded item will have a specific due date. Please reach out to the professor as early as possible to request an extension, which will be considered in a case-by-case basis.

There will not be a curve applied nor will an incomplete be given.

Letter grades:

4.   Course Organization

As this is an online course, all materials will be made available in the myCourses system and may include web-based tools, videos, and readings. In general, recorded lectures, discussions, and self-directed laboratory exercises will be presented at the beginning of each week. Students will be expected to complete assignments and knowledge check quizzes before the start of the next class (within one week).

Remember - it is your responsibility to complete all assigned work each week. If you run into trouble – reach out! I am happy to help during office hours or at a time that is convenient for us both.

I will not be on campus at any point during the semester but will be available during office hours and by appointment using a signup approach.

Please note that this schedule is tentative and may change during the semester.

4.1.      Online Quizzes

There will be a short, timed quiz each week that pertains to that topic. All quizzes will be posted with other weekly materials and will be due within one week.

4.2.      Assignments

Assignments will be a hands-on exercise that will explore that week’s topic. They may require working with geospatial data and software or a written response to a reading or prompt from that week’s lecture. Labs will require software to be downloaded or accessed through web portals.

Assignments will have a specified due date and will be submitted via myCourses. Assignments turned in late will result in an automatic loss of one letter grade for each day. After five days late, the assignment   will result in a grade of 0 for that assignment. Accommodations for late assignments will be made on a case-by-case basis but will require prior notice (at least 3 days) before a due date. Note: it is better to reach out if a situation arises as opposed to not handing in an assignment.

4.3.      Test

There will be a test towards the end of the semester. This will look to assess your understanding of the material presented in the prior weeks. The test will consist of a combination of true/false, multiple-choice, and short answer questions based on the content provided.

4.4.      Final Project

The final project will demonstrate what you have learned in the course and provide an outlet for your own interests in geospatial technologies. Students will develop their own project ideas utilizing GIS and Geospatial Technology to look at a world problem (big or small!). You will be required to find your own data, conduct some analysis, and create a final deliverable. It is likely that we will use a Story Map via

ArcGIS Online and will cover how to create them in class. Other options may be available and will be discussed as we get closer.

5.   Administrative Information

5.1.      Use of Generative AI Tools

Students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the RIT Student Rights and Responsibilities.

You may review the posted policy on the RIT Student Rights and Responsibilities web site (http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/studentconduct/rr_academicdishonesty.php).

This policy covers all courses at RIT unless otherwise noted by the instructor, the department, or the college in which the course is offered.

Plagiarism in any format will NOT BE TOLERATED. Academic prosecution of students caught plagiarizing can and will be conducted leading to failing grades for assignments and/or expulsion and failure of the course. If you are unsure of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it, err on the side of caution and consult this guide:https://library.rit.edu/instruction/dl/stud.htmlor the instructor for assistance.

5.2.      Academic Dishonesty

Students are expected to be familiar with and abide by the Academic Honesty Policy as stated in the RIT Student Rights and Responsibilities.

You may review the posted policy on the RIT Student Rights and Responsibilities web site (http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/studentconduct/rr_academicdishonesty.php).

This policy covers all courses at RIT unless otherwise noted by the instructor, the department, or the college in which the course is offered.

Plagiarism in any format will NOT BE TOLERATED. Academic prosecution of students caught plagiarizing can and will be conducted leading to failing grades for assignments and/or expulsion and failure of the course. If you are unsure of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it, err on the side of caution and consult this guide:https://library.rit.edu/instruction/dl/stud.htmlor the instructor for assistance.