GSP 270: Geographic Information Science

The key purpose of this course is to help you become someone who could be hired to complete a small GIS project from start to finish. The course follows the steps you'll typically take in a GIS project and has you create a series of GIS reports for this purpose. You will gain an understanding of the fundamentals and applications of GIS through lectures, readings, lab assignments, and a final project. This class will cover everything from acquiring geospatial data through producing final, publishable products that contain spatial data (maps), analysis results (tables and graphs), and reports. This course starts on June 02, 2025 and ends on July 03, 2025.

The summer GSP 270 is an asynchronous online course. Thus, there are no meeting days or times. However, you are advised to submit assignments including quizzes by the specified due dates. There are going to be asynchronous discussions in some sections/labs of the course. You will make an initial post and write at least two response posts as replies to peers' posts. Your lab deliverables are due by the end of the week. Let me know if you need an extension on any of the labs. There are two exams for this course: a midterm and a final exam. More details will be provided as the course progresses. 

Here are a few pointers to help you succeed in this course:

• Read assignment details and expectations, even if you won't begin your assignments right away. This will help you comprehend the assignment's subject matter and possibly ask your instructor some assignment-related questions.

• Establish a clear schedule on how and when to finish assignments in order finish them on time.

• Always reach out to your instructor for assistance, and please reach out in time so that we can work together to find solutions to any problems you may be experiencing.

• Send me an email requesting a tutoring session on Zoom for Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10a.m -12 noon session.

• Please be willing to collaborate with your classmates to share expertise and thoughts on any component of the course.

• For this class, communication between students and instructor is by email and slack.  

• During working days (Monday–Friday), I will respond to your emails within 24 hours of receipt. While I will try to answer your emails on the weekends, I cannot guarantee that I will do so as promptly as I would during the week. Expect a response to your email within 48 hours on weekends. 

• You are also encouraged to share general questions in the Canvas Q&A Discussion, where other students can reply. 

Five attributes you expect from me as your instructor

• Reasonable office hours to address questions and concerns from students on Zoom (Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays, 10 - 12 noon)

• Notifications on assignments through weekly and midweek check-in

• Prompt feedback on assignments, in-class activities, discussion, labs and projects

• Responding to emails within 24 hours of receipt during weekdays

• A clear rubric outline to guide students of assignment expectations 

Five attributes I expect from you as a learner/student

• Review the online material each week

• Get started early on the assignments so you can get help and finish them on time!

• Turn in assignments on time and prepare to revise some assignments as advised! 20 minutes is the longest you should try to solve a problem before you get help!

• Utilize the office hours that your instructor has designated for any questions and issues related to the course

• As part of your lab activities and final projects, prepare for outdoor activities that require data collection

In this course, my mission and purpose as the instructor revolve around creating a learning environment that encourages discovery and knowledge generation through shared experience. I consider myself a moderator who has gained some level of understanding over time to initiate and facilitate discussion and the exchange of ideas with you. My ultimate goal is to assist you develop logical thinking habits and independent learning skills. To that extent, you are the key ingredient in the learning process, not just as learner but also as my companion. Together we seek to transform knowledge, redefine concepts and challenge established results and observation. In transforming knowledge, our goal together must respect diversity by celebrating  rich and diverse, multi-cultural world in which we live in. Everyone and their opinion, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, gender, religion, creed, sexual, or social background or preferences, are respected.

Materials you will need for this course

• A comprehensive syllabus, in addition to this liquid syllabus, can be found on our course canvas homepage. Take the syllabus quiz after reviewing the complete syllabus.

• Follow this link to download and install your ArcGIS Pro program. ArcGIS Pro is used to perform approximately 80% of the labs in GSP 270. Please keep in mind that this software is only compatible with Windows.  You can access the software from the Cal Poly Humboldt Virtual Lab (VLab) if you have a Mac or another non-Windows device.