Syllabus

Revised 12/27/2024

Geog 291: Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS
Spring Semester 2025: Module 1: 1/15/2025 to 3/3/2025
Meetings: Arranged

Instructor: Dr. John Krygier
Office: Schimmel-Conrades Science Center 206
Office Hours: Make an appointment here or email for other times. I’m typically around during the appointment site hours unless I have an appointment. Check SCSC 206 and 207.
jbkrygier@owu.edu | http://krygier.owu.edu

GEOG 291 Geospatial Analysis with Desktop GIS familiarizes students with software for performing geospatial analysis with a focus on desktop (PC) software, ArcGIS Pro. An overview of software functions and capabilities is provided, along with hands-on work with the software. Progress is assessed with a series of applied exercises. This is a semi-independent course, with progress posted to this blog, arranged meetings with the instructor, and assistance as needed from the instructor.

Learning Objectives

  • Understanding key concepts, functions, and operation of desktop GIS software
  • Ability to perform different analytical tasks given a selection of different kinds of real-world data 
  • Understand how desktop GIS could be used in applications specific to student’s academic interests

Readings

Getting Work Done on Time

The week’s work is due at the end of the day, Friday of each week.

If you don’t get the work done, please schedule 3 hours in the lab (207 SCSC) during the subsequent week and email me the hours before the start of the week. Failure to do this will adversely affect your grade.

You are graded on doing the work (50%) and completing it on time. Thus, continually late work with no excuse is going to result in a poor grade.

Getting behind in this class is a nightmare. The class ends halfway through the semester, right when much else is due in other courses. 

GIS Lab: 207 SCSC

Most of you are familiar with the GIS Lab (207 SCSC). You will need to use one of the computers in the GIS lab for this course. ArcGIS Pro is available on all of these computers. Starting this fall, you can’t save stuff on the computers (for security purposes). Please use an external hard drive (not a thumb drive). If you don’t have enough guap (scrilla? cheese?) you can borrow one for the semester from Krygier.

I’ll give you a secret code to get in the room after hours (it’s open 7am-7pm M-F) and also get your OWU ID card access to the Science Center.

ArcGIS Software

ArcGIS Pro requires a Windows computer. The computers in SCSC 207 all have it installed. If you have a suitable computer, you can install ArcGIS Pro on it: it should be a newer Windows computer with plenty of memory and storage. Log into your ArcOnline account here and follow the steps here: Download ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online works on any newer browser and computer. I’ll provide you with an OWU ArcGIS Online account. Make sure you are logging into the OWU ArcGIS account (it’s easy to log into a free, low-function account for some reason).