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 Quiz 1 | 10% | 77-79% | B+ | 60-62% | C- |
| Lab Quiz 2 | 10% | 73-76% | B | 50-59% | D |
| Bonus (optional) | 5% | < 50% | F | ||
| Total | 100% | * variably weighted | |||
Tentative Course Outline
1. Spatial Data Representation, the Object-based Model and Geodatabases (Geodatabase Demo)
- Review of Raster /Vector Models
- Georelational vs. Object-based
- The Geodatabase Model
- Subtypes, Topology Rules, Attribute Domains
- Raster Data Catalogues
- Terrain Datasets
2. Managing Geospatial Databases (Tables Demo)
- Functions of a DBMS
- Tables and Data Relations
- Types of Relations – Relate vs. Join
- Attribute-based Operations
3. Exploratory Data Analysis
- Descriptive Methods
- Query by Attribute & Location
- Relational Algebra
- Boolean Logic
- Querying Rasters
4. Vector Data Analysis (Simpson’s Vector Demo)
- Buffers and Setbacks, Applications of
- Map Overlay: Union vs. Intersection
- Other Vector Tools
5. Raster Data Analysis (Raster Cougar Demo)
- Basic Raster Operations
- Environment Settings Local Operations
- Local, Focal, Zonal Operations
- Global Operations
MIDTERM EXAM – TBD
6. Surface Representation & Analysis (Interpolation Demo)
- TINS vs. DEMS
- Spatial Interpolation
- Global vs. Local, Exact vs. Inexact
- Interpolation Algorithms
- Kriging and Semivariograms
- Surfaces and Isolines
- Density Surfaces
7. Point Pattern Analysis
- Descriptive Measures
- Nearest Neighbour
- Spatial Autocorrelation
8. Network Analysis
- Components of a Network
- Creating and Managing Networks
- Types of Network Analysis
9. Spatial Data Quality
- What is it and Why do we Care?
- Measures of Data Quality
- Metadata
10. GIS Implementation & Management
- Implementation vs. Management
- User Centered Approach
- Implementation Strategies
- Project Management
FINAL EXAM – Wednesday, APRIL 19, 2 pm
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Labs are scheduled Monday & Tuesday afternoons and will be delivered in person in room 3-44 of the Brodie Building.
| Date | Lab | Topic |
| Jan 9/10 | 1 | Building Geospatial Databases: Introduction to the Geodatabase Model |
| Jan 16/17 | 2 | Building Geospatial Databases: Import & Construct a Geodatabase |
| Jan 23/24 | 3 | Building Geospatial Databases: Attribute Domains & Subtypes |
| Jan 30/31 | 4 | Building Geospatial Databases: Editing with Topology |
| Feb 6/7 | 5 | Working with Attribute Data: Join and Query Tables |
| Feb 13/14 | QUIZ | Timed Lab Quiz #1 |
| Feb 20/21 | NO LAB (Winter Study Break) | |
| Feb 27/28 | 6 | Vector-based Spatial Analysis: Geoprocessing Tools |
| Mar 6/7 | 7 | Raster-based Spatial Analysis: Spatial & Site Suitability Analysis |
| Mar 13/14 | 8 | Creating & Analyzing Digital Elevation Models: 3D Surface Analysis |
| Mar 20/21 | 9 | Analyzing Spatial Patterns: Clustering Tools and Point Pattern Analysis |
| Mar 27/28 | 10 | Network Analysis |
| Apr 3/4 | QUIZ | TIMED LAB QUIZ #2 |
Generally, lab assignments are due at the end of the current lab period or beginning of the following week’s lab period. Labs submitted at the end of the following week’s lab period will be considered one day late. Late labs will incur a penalty of 10% per day.