38/42:376 GIS II: Spatial Data Management and Analysis
Instructor: Lecture, Dr. Dion J. Wiseman
Office: Brodie Room 4-07
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 11 am – 12 pm; or by Appointment
Phone: 727-9774
Email: wiseman@brandonu.ca
Course Resources
Required Text: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, 9th ed. 2019, Chang.
Optional Text: Cartography: Thematic Map Design, 6th ed. 2009, Dent, et al.
Note: Copies of both the required and optional texts are available on reserve in the main library. An earlier edition of either text is also acceptable.
Course Description
This course is designed as an intermediate level GIS course for students who plan to manage and/or analyze geospatial databases in their chosen field of study or future careers. The objectives are to provide you with a solid theoretical and applied background in geospatial database management and geospatial data analysis that transcends any particular software application. The lecture component of the course will focus on theoretical concepts related to building and managing geospatial databases and conducting geospatial analysis by addressing the lecture topics outlined below. The lab component of the course will provide practical experience with ArcGIS Desktop 10, ArcPro, and various extensions that provide additional functionality.
By the end of this course you will have acquired the theoretical background and applied skills to work as a GIS technician and pursue advanced training in specific applications of GIS (e.g. network, weighted overlay, or hydrologic analysis, etc.) and technologies for collecting and creating geospatial data (e.g. Total Station, RTK GPS, RPAS).
The prerequisite for this course is GIS I (38/42:286). Additional readings and/or assignments may be required for those who have not completed the prerequisite. Note that this course is one of two prerequisite for 38/42:477/677 Advanced Geomatics; the other is 38/42:353 Remote Sensing.
Grading Scheme
| Midterm | 25-35%* | > 90% | A+ | 70 – 72% | B- |
| Final | 25-35%* | 85 – 89% | A | 67 – 69% | C+ |
| Lab Assignments | 20% | 80 – 84% | A- | 63 – 66% | C |
| Lab Quizzes (x4) | 20% | 77 – 79% | B+ | 60 – 62% | C- |
| Total | 100% | 73 – 76% | B | 50 – 59% | D |
| Optional Bonus | 5% | < 50% | F | ||
| * variably weighted | |||||
Tentative Course Outline
- Spatial Data Representation, the Object-based Model, and Geodatabases
- Review of Raster/Vector Models
- The Geodatabase Model
- Subtypes, Topology Rules, Attribute Domains
- Managing Geospatial Databases (Tables Demo)
- Functions of a DBMS
- Types of Relations – Relate vs. Join
- Attribute-based Operations
- Spatial Joins
- Exploratory Data Analysis (Query Survey Markers demo)
- Query by Attribute & Location
- Relational Algebra & Boolean Logic
- Querying Rasters
- Vector Data Analysis (Simpson’s Demo)
- Buffers and Setbacks, Applications of
- Map Overlay: Union vs. Intersection
- Other Vector Tools
- Raster Data Analysis (Cougar Demo)
- Basic Raster Operations
- Environment Settings Local Operations
- Local, Focal, Zonal, and Global Operations
- MIDTERM EXAM – Thursday, February 27th
- Surface Representation & Analysis (Brandon Hills Demo)
- TINS vs. DEMS
- Spatial Interpolation & Interpolation Algorithms
- Kriging and Semi-variograms
- Density Surfaces
- Point Pattern Analysis (Point Pattern Demo)
- Descriptive Measures
- Nearest Neighbour
- Spatial Autocorrelation
- Network Analysis (Liquor Store Network Analysis Demo)
- Components of a Network
- Creating and Managing Networks
- Types of Network Analysis
- Spatial Data Quality
- What Is It, Why Do We Care?
- Measures of Data Quality
- Metadata
- GIS Implementation & Management
- User Centered Approach
- Implementation Strategies
- Project Management
FINAL EXAM – Thursday, April 10th 2 PM
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Lab Instructor: Ms. Wenonah Fraser van Heyst; Instructional Associate
Telephone: 204-727-7466 Office: Brodie Building, Room 4-4
E-mail: FRASERW@brandonu.ca
Labs are scheduled Monday & Tuesday afternoons and will be delivered in person in room 3-44 of the Brodie Building.
| Dates (2025) | Quizzes | Lab # and Assignment Topic |
| Jan 13/14 | Lab 1: Building Geospatial Databases: Import & Construct a Geodatabase | |
| Jan 20/21 | Lab 2: Building Geospatial Databases: Attribute domains & Subtypes | |
| Jan 27/28 | QUIZ #1 | & Lab 3a: Working with Attribute Data: Join and Query Tables |
| Feb 3 / 4 | Lab 4: Building Geospatial Databases: Editing features & Topology | |
| Feb 10/11 | Lab 5: Vector-based Spatial Analysis: Geoprocessing Tools | |
| Feb 17/18 | NO CLASSES (Winter Study Break) | |
| Feb 24/25 | QUIZ #2 | & Lab 6: Raster-based Spatial Analysis: Spatial and Site Suitability Analysis |
| Mar 3 /4 | Lab 7: Creating & Analyzing Digital Elevation Models: 3D Surface Analysis | |
| Mar 10/11 | QUIZ #3 | & Lab 3b: Working with Attribute Data: Spatial Joins |
| Mar 17/18 | Lab 8: Analysing Spatial Patterns: Clustering Tools & Point Pattern Analysis | |
| Mar 24/25 | Lab 9: Network Analysis | |
| Mar 31/Apr 1 | QUIZ #4 | & Lab 10: Complete an approved ESRI virtual campus course |
Completion of Laboratory and Lecture Assignments:
Generally, lab assignments are either due at the end of lab period or before the beginning of the following week’s lab; this will be indicated on your assignment. Labs submitted at the end of the following lab period will be considered one day late. Labs submitted late will incur a 10% per day penalty.
Geomatics Lab Computer Accounts:
For access to the Geomatics Lab outside of lab times, key cards to open the door are available from Ms. van Heyst with a $10 deposit. Key cards MUST be returned by the end of term in order to get your deposit back. Key cards returned after your account has expired will forfeit the deposit.