ERTH 3500

GIScience & Spatial Data

Lec 01 and Lab B01 selected

Geographic Information Systems (GISystems) provide a powerful platform to process and analyze data with locational information. This course introduces theoretical concepts in Geographic Information Science (GIScience) that provide the foundation for the creation, management, and visualization of geospatial data for a range of disciplines (e.g., Earth Sciences, Environmental Science, Biology, Planning). Topics include principles of spatial object types, spatial data models, concepts of error and uncertainty, overlay, and the integration of satellite derived data (GPS, Remote Sensing Imagery) in spatial projects. Laboratory exercises emphasize how these principles are put into practice in the use of Geographic Information Systems.

Sections

Lecture
Lab, pick one

From the syllabus

From the Fall 2026 syllabus by Christopher Greene. Open the PDF

Grading

10%In-class exercises100 points
45%Knowledge tests (2)225 points each
17.5%Structured workshops175 points total
27.5%Term project275 points; preliminary and final reports

Textbook

  • Geographic Information Science and Systems, P. A. Longley, M. F. Goodchild, D. J. Maguire, and D. W. Rhind (optional)

Course rules

Category minimums
Students must earn at least half the points in both theory and applied categories to pass.
Attendance
There is no direct attendance penalty, but in-class exercises and tests take place during synchronous sessions.
Labs
Lab attendance is expected; students who must miss may contact the TA during their scheduled lab.
Late project work
Term project work loses 20% per calendar day late.
Workshop deadlines
Workshops have no late submissions; work submitted after the deadline receives zero.
Dropped work
The lowest individual module-related exercise and structured workshop scores are dropped.
Discretionary extensions
Students start with five extensions for applied assessments and must notify teaching staff before the deadline to use one.
Missed midterm
Students with an accepted reason may take a makeup on October 25, 2026, at 10:00 am.
Missed final
Students with an accepted reason receive an incomplete and may take a makeup in the first week of Winter Semester.
Exam materials
Tests allow an instructor-provided reference sheet, scientific calculator, and ruler or straight edge.
Generative AI
AI use is limited to permitted support tasks, must be acknowledged, and cannot produce original assessment work.

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