ES341 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems

Class Syllabus (Adobe Acrobat Format)

Winter Term 2011 Syllabus
  • Updated Class Schedule - Jan. 18, 2011 - Guest Speakers Finalized
  • Updated Class Schedule - Feb. 21, 2011 Update - Tutorial Schedule for Second Half of Term WITH MODIFIED LIST

    2010-2011 Finals Schedule

    Bulletin Board **Check Here for Class News and Events**

    Oregon URISA Chapter 2013 Scholarship Application

    New Links 2012

    Taylor et al. 2012 - Novel uses of GIS for fingerprint analysis (URISA GISPro 2012)

    Link to GIS 4 Geomorphology Geomorphometry of Mountain Landscapes & Upland Watersheds (Morphometric Tutorials using ArcGIS10)

    Basics of Lidar Data Processing Using ArcGIS

    NOAA Natural Hazards: Tsunami, Earthquake, Volcano, Geothermal
    NOAA Geomagnetism, Magnetic Models, Declination Calculators
    NOAA Gravity
    NOAA Topography
    NOAA World Data Center for Solid Earth Geophysics
    NOAA Ecosystems Informatics, Soils, Groundcover


    Finals Grades are in... Have a Good Spring Break! Excellent ES341 Team Work and Extra Effort! Thank you...

  • Click here for final grades sorted by last 4 digits of your V-no.

    Class Notes

    The class notes are organized according to their order of occurrence throughout the week. They are available in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) Format. Acrobat Reader is invoked as a plug-in within the web browser environment. It is available on most machines at WOU. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by returning to Taylor's Home Page

    Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

    A Review of Topographic Map Principles
  • Reading on Mean Sea Level and the Geoid

    Introduction to ESRI ArcGIS Software
  • Taylor's Choice - Glossary of Selected GIS Terms and Concepts
  • Link to ESRI GIS Glossary of Terms

    New reference resource: Overview of Key ArcGIS Files and File Extensions (reference sheet)

    Map Projections
  • Oregon Lambert Custom Map Projections (from Oregon Geospatial Web Site)
  • Overview of Projections and Datums (from SeisSoft website)

  • World Projections Reference List - ArcGIS 9.3 (*.pdf)
  • World Projections Reference List - ArcGIS 9.3 (*.doc)

    Vector Data Structures and Input
  • Steps for Creating Shape Files in ArcGIS9.0

    Raster Data Structures

    FGDC National Metadata Standards (Guidance Document)

    Class notes - introduction to database management systems (DBMS)
  • Instructions for Joining NRCS Soil Tables to Feature Classes

    Introduction to Data Editing Tools in ArcGIS

    Identifying and Managing Special Data File Types
  • DRG Example (*.zip)
  • DEM Example (*.zip)
  • E00 Example (*.zip)
  • Grid Example (*.zip)
  • DEM Example (Laurel Mountain Quad)(*.zip)
  • Grid Example (*.zip)
  • 1-m Lidar DEM Example HJ Andrews (*.zip; ESRI Grid Format)

    Quick Start Guide to Creating Shape Files and Geoprocessing
  • Monmouth Quad DRG (*.zip; raster; UTM Zone10N NAD1927 meters)
  • Monmouth Quad DEM (*.zip; raster; UTM Zone10N NAD1927 meters)
  • Monmouth Quad Geology (*.zip; shapefile; UTM Zone10N NAD1927 meters)
  • Luckiamute Watershed Subbasins (*.zip; shapefile; UTM Zone10N NAD1927 meters)
  • Lewisburg Quad DEM (*.zip; raster; UTM Zone10N NAD1927 meters)

    Introduction to Raster Analysis
  • Overview of LIDAR Topographic Survey Methods (Hill et al., 2000)
  • LIDAR Seminar Summary Notes: OSU, April 28, 2009 (Faux-Watershed Sciences)
  • LIDAR Mapping Fact Sheet

    Winter 2011 GIS Speaker Series
  • Taylor et al. - Intro to GIS and Example Research Applications
  • Dawn Wright - Coastal Resource Atlas Project
  • Cy Smith - Oregon Geospatial Coordinator / Statewide Overview

    ESRI Virtual Campus Online GIS Courses (updated Jan. 2011; see Dr. Taylor for access)

    Class Slide Shows

  • Introduction to GIS Concepts
  • Map Elements
  • Vector and Raster Data Models
  • Map Projections
  • Data Errors and Topological Editing
  • Introduction to Data Analysis
  • Introduction to Image Analysis
  • Geographic Position Systems and GIS Technology
  • Cartography and Map Design
  • Introduction to LIDAR Mapping Technology

    Additional Reading (Clarke, 2003)

  • Introduction to GIS Concepts
  • GIS Data Formats
  • Map Projections and Scales
  • Databases
  • Making Maps
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Data Entry
  • GIS Software Platforms
  • GIS Case Studies

    Textbook Links

    Text - Chapter 1 (links to text and videos)

    Chapter 2 Tutorial (*.pdf text)

    Text Tutorial Data (right-click, "save link as", save to H:\folder, rename *.xxe extension to *.exe, double click file, browse to folder, and "start" to unzip files)

    Addtional GTK ArcGIS Tutorials

  • Projecting Data in ArcGIS
  • Making Maps in ArcGIS
  • Geoprocessing Essentials
  • Working with Map Templates

    Lab Exercises and Data

  • Instructions for WOU Terminal Server Access from Home

    Introductory Example Data

  • Example GIS Data (compressed example.zip)

    Lab Reference Materials and Support Software

  • Unit Conversion Tables
  • WOU Base Map (UTM Zone 10 N)
  • Download Winzip 7.0 File Compression Software (rt-click, save target as, rename/save file winzip.exe, run/install)

    Review of Topographic Maps

    Monmouth Quadrangle Exercise
  • In-Class Exercise: Lat-Lon Conversions

  • Monmouth Quadrangle Image (scanned topo quad, *.tif)
  • Georegistered Monmouth Digital Raster Graphic (DRG *.zip - extract *.tif, *.tfw)

    Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

  • Basics of Vector / Raster Data Structures
  • Introduction to Contouring and Digital Elevation Models

    Map Projection Exercises

  • Managing Oregon Map Projections in Arc Map

  • Map Projections for Oregon (Oregon Geospatial Web Site)

  • Monmouth Quad Geology (Zip File)
  • Monmouth Quad Roads (Zip File)
  • Monmouth Quad Vegetation (Zip File)
  • Monmouth Quad DRG (Zip File)
  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in UTM (use as projection check)
  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in Custom Oregon Lambert (use as projection check)
  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in State Plane (North) (use as projection check) Unknown Projection Exercise
  • Newberry Geology Data - Unknown Projection Data

    Geoprocessing In-Class Tutorial Data

  • Spatial Data Editing / Geoprocessing Tutorial Notes
  • Geoprocessing Tutorial Data (geoprdata.zip)

    Spatial Analyst and Elevation Models

  • How to Create a Blended Color - Painted DEM with Hillshading

    Introduction to Lidar

    Overview of LIDAR Topographic Survey Methods (Hill et al., 2000)
  • LIDAR Seminar Summary Notes: OSU, April 28, 2009 (Faux-Watershed Sciences)
  • LIDAR Mapping Fact Sheet

    Link to WOU Lidar Resource Page

  • LiDAR data for the Intermountain Seismic Belt (ID-WY-UT; *.kml files)
  • LiDAR data for the Intermountain Seismic Belt (ID-WY-UT; Arc Binary Grid Format; filtered ("bare earth," fg*); unfiltered (ug*) 0.5 m DEM)

    Final Project Instructions and Data

    Winter 2011 ES341 Class Project Assginment - Using GIS in Watershed Management

  • Final Project Scoring Guide

    Winter 2009 Poster Template (*.ppt powerpoint file)
    Alternative Poster Template (*.ppt powerpoint file)

  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 36 x 48 A.ppt)
  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 36 x 48 B.ppt)
  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 36 x 48 C.ppt)
  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 36 x 48 F.ppt)
  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 48 x 30 D.ppt)
  • Alternative Poster Template (Research Poster 48 x 30 A.ppt)

  • Click Here to Download Coast Range Drainage Basins (UTM - Zip Shape File)
  • Click Here to Download Coast Range Streams (UTM - Zip Shape File)

  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in UTM (use as projection check)
  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in Custom Oregon Lambert (use as projection check)
  • Shape File of Oregon Counties in State Plane (North) (use as projection check)

  • Shape File of Oregon Bedrock Geology in UTM
  • Oregon Annual Precipitation [*.e00 File (vector arc export); *.asc (ASCII Raster); *.htm (metadata); Lat/Long-Dec Deg NAD1983 GRS 1980]

  • Shape File of Oregon 1:24,000 Quadrangles in UTM (use as projection check)
  • Oregon and Portions of Surrounding States - 1:24,000 Quadrangle Names and USGS Codes (MS Excel File)
  • Oregon and Portions of Surrounding States - 1:24,000 Quadrangle Names and USGS Codes (PDF File)
    Interactive USGS Quad Index Code Locator Map

    Winter 2009 Final Project / Poster Presentations

    Amanda Tondreau-Hanna Thoman: Gales Creek Poster
  • Gales Creek Geospatial Data

    Seth Webb-Andrew Holmes: Beaver Creek-Waldport Bay-Vingie Creek Poster
  • Beaver Creek Geospatial Data I
  • Beaver Creek Geospatial Data II

    Alicia Thompson-Chris Meyer: Lower Coquille Poster
  • Lower Coquille Geospatial Data

    Patrick Ferrari-Rachel Johnson: Lower Coast Fork Willamette Poster
  • Lower Coast Fork Geospatial Data

    Matt Buche-Ryan Stanley: Sixes River Poster
  • Sixes Geospatial Data

    Mark Barnes-Brandon Button: Lower Siletz Poster
  • Lower Siletz Geospatial Data

    Alyssa Marquez-Brenna Susee: Mill Creek / Upper Umpqua Poster
  • Mill Creek Geospatial Data

    Joe Krom-Thomas VanNice: Kilchis River Poster
  • Kilchis River Geospatial Data

    Bill Vreeland-Roberto Rios-Dustin Fulks: West Fork Millicoma Poster
  • West Fork Millicoma Geospatial Data

    2007 Final Project / Poster Presentations

    Ross Waitt - Big Elk Creek
    Kristin Mooney - Elk River
    Pami Monnette - Gale Creek
    Courtney Stowell - North Yamhill

    Winter 2007 Poster Template (*.ppt powerpoint file)
    Winter 2007 Poster Template (*.ppt powerpoint file)

    Lab Portfolio Guidelines

    Lab / Tutorial Answer Keys

    Exam Study Guides

    ESRI Web-Based Training Courses

  • ESRI Online Course Availability (Updatd Jan. 2011)

    GIS Software/Resources/Arc Tools/Extension Downloads

    FILEZILLA Freeware: Click here for instructions on downloading and installing Filezilla FTP Client - to transfer files back-and-forth from WOU H:\ drive to home

    Link to WOU ESRI ArcGIS License Page

    Link to USFS Fusion Software / Lidar processing

    Guide to Geospatial Analysis - Interactive Web Site (Smith et al., 2008)

    GIS Data Links / Map Theme Download Sites

    Oregon Data - New Links

    ODOT GIS Data

    Oregon Data - New Links for Winter 2011 (Ryan's Favorites / Speaker Links)

    Oregon Explorer Spatial Data Library
    Oregon Geospatial Enterprise Office Data Library
    University of Oregon - 1:24000 DRGs, DEMs, DOQs for Oregon. Search graphically, by name, or by Ohio code
    University of Oregon - Downloadable GIS Data Resource Page
    USGS Seamless Server - Download various data products by defining an area of interest
    USGS National Map Viewer
    Oregon 10 Meter Digital Elevation Models - 9 large ArcInfo Grids
    Oregon Imagery Explorer - Streaming Imagery in ArcMap through a Web Map Service (WMS)
    Oregon Explorer Spatial Data Library
    Oregon USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRG) Index - Libre Map Project
    Merged 24K DRGs of Oregon
    Oregon BLM GIS Data
    Oregon DOQ Index at OSU
    Oregon Geologic Map Data
    Willamette River Bathymetric Survey

    Soil Data Downloads - Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • Instructions for Joining NRCS Soil Tables to Feature Classes
    NRCS Geospatial Data Gateway

    U.S. Census Bureau - Shapefiles
    Oregon Digital Orthophoto Quads (DOQs)
    Oregon Imagery Explorer - 2005 imagery downloadable
    Precipitation Data - Oregon State PRISM

    Oregon Coastal Atlas (Wright et al., 2011)
    NOAA Coastal Data
    NOAA Coastal Lidar Data

    Polk County Web Map (Gumtow et al.)

    Oregon Data

    Pacific Northwest Streamnet Hydrology and Fish Data (Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission)

    Oregon Soil Survey Data (NRCS)

    Oregon Orthoimagery Updates 2009 (updated links / new imagery Dec. 2009)
    Oregon Spatial Data Library (updated links / new imagery Dec. 2009)
    Oregon Geospatial Data by County (Geocommunity.com)
    NRCS Soil Data Mart (soil surveys)
    NRCS Geospatial Gateway (soil surveys)
    State Geologic Maps from the USGS
    Oregon USGS DRGs from the Libre Map Project
    Oregon Imagery Explorer (OSU Natural Resources Digital Library)
    Interactive USGS Quad Index Code Locator Map
    State of Oregon Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
    Oregon Lidar Consortium
    WebGIS Resource (7.5 Min DEMs available)

    Pacific Northwest Regional Ecosystem Office GIS Data

    REO OR-WA DRG Links
    REO Oregon Quad Name DRG Index
    REO Washington Quad Name DRG Index
    REO Washington Lat-Lon DRG Index
    REO Oregon 7.5-Minute DRG's Sorted by Quad Name
    REO Oregon 7.5-Minute DRG's Sorted by Lat / Lon
    REO Oregon 10-m DEMs Sorted by Quad Name
    REO Oregon 10-m DEMs Sorted by Lat / Lon

    OSU McDonald-Dunn Forest GIS Data Links
    Oregon Statewide DEM Downloads from OSU
    USGS Seamless Data Distribution System (continuous DEM coverages of US)
    Interagency Clearing House for Ecosystem Data - Pacific Northwest Region
    UO Library GIS: Oregon 10-m DEM/DRG Quad Download Link
    USGS GIS Data for Willamette Basin
    Pacific Northwest Hydrography Framework Clearinghouse
    OSU Digital Orthophoto Quad Library Index System
    CLAMS GIS Data (Oregon Coastal Landscape Analysis and Modeling Study) Library Index System
    Virtual Oregon OSU Data Portal (under construction)
    USGS Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping and Urban Hazards Program
    OSU Research Forest GIS Data
    Oregon Dept. of Forestry GIS Data, Maps, and Tools

    University of Oregon Mallard GIS Spatial Library - Data Download
    University of Oregon - Oregon GIS Data

    Download Oregon Digital Soil Surveys
    Bureau of Land Management Geospatial Data
    Oregon Climate Service
    Oregon State University GIS Software and Data Portal
    Oregon DOQ Photo Index (OSU Libraries)
    Benton County FTP GIS Data
    Corvallis FTP GIS Data
    NRCS Geospatial Gateway (soils data)
    US Fish and Wildlife Oregon GIS Data
    University of Oregon 1:250,000 DEM Data

    Digital Data Services - Oregon GIS Data Bundles (Commercial Vendor)

    GIS Data Depot - Oregon GIS Data
    GIS Data Depot - Main Page

    BLM - Oregon-Washington GIS Data
    BLM FTP - Oregon-Washington GIS Data Download Information Sheet with Links
    BLM FTP - Oregon 7.5-Minute DRG's Merged into 1-Degree Sheets
    BLM FTP - Oregon 10-m DEM's Merged into 1-Degree Sheets

    Washington Data

    Washington DNR GIS Data Page

    Washington State Geologic Map (Shuster, 2005)
  • Map Unit Explanation (Shuster, 2005)

    Washington Dept. of Natural Resources GIS Data Link
    Washington State Geospatial Clearinghouse
    REO 10-m Washington DEMs
    REO 7.5-Minute Washington DRG's
    Puget Sound Lidar Consortium (High Resolution Digital Elevations Models)

    California Data

    GeoEarthScope Northern California LiDAR Project (NoCAL)
    California Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Portal
    GIS data for northern California
    CERES USGS 7.5 Minute California DRG's By County
    California Environmental Resoures Evaluation System
    California Environmental Information by Data Type
    California Spatial Information Library

    National Data

    U.S. Geological Survey LandSAT Program (free data archives)

    U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center

    Federal Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
    WebGIS Resource (7.5 Min DEMs available)
    The National Map Geospatial Clearinghouse
    Cal State Northridge Electronic Map Library
    Cal State Northridge Electronic Map Library - Animation Download Links
    U.S. Federal Geospatial One-Stop
    USGS Seamless DEM Data Distribution System
    USGS National Map Viewer with Geospatial Data Access
    USGS Atlas of Antarctic Research (DEM's)
    ESRI One-Stop U.S. Government Geospatial Data Portal
    University of Oregon Library - State Link Listings of Downloadable Data
    USGS National Hydrography Spatial Dataset
    ArcView Tools for National Hydrography Dataset (USGS)

    NASA Space Shuttle Radar Topography
  • NASA Space Shuttle Radar Topography FTP Download Site

    USGS-EROS Download of Select Space Shuttle DEM's
    U.S. EPA Geospatial Data
    ESRI GIS ArcData Online
    ESRI Geography Network
    US Geological Survey Geographic Data Download
    GIS Community Data Depot
    Center For Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST) - **Excellent Website**
    GISDataDepot Free Data Download Home Page
    GISDataDepot US - Statewide Data
    GISDataDepot United States - Nationwide Data
    USGS online Earth Explorer - search engine for USGS map and photo coverages
    USGS Map Finder Search Engine
    USGS Air Photo Finder Search Engine

    GIS Lounge
    Open Source GIS Data Blog
    GeoCommunity GIS Data Source

    General GIS-Related Links

    National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping
    Oregon and Southwest Washington URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association)
    Willamette Valley GIS Users Group
    Oregon Geographic Information Council
    Federal Geographic Data Committee (Federal GIS Coordination)
    UC Berkeley Digital Library Project
    Online Course Materials: Environmental Remote Sensing (Richard Beck, Univ. of Cincinnati)

    Weekly Class Announcement Archive

    Week 10 (Mar. 7, Mar. 9) - Events and Class Materials

  • Final Portfolio Checklist (Binders Due Wed. Mar. 16, 5:00 PM)
  • Final Study Guide (Final Exam Mon. Mar. 14, 4:00 PM)

    Winter 2011 ES341 Class Project Assginment - Using GIS in Watershed Management

    Final Exam Class Notes - Study Focus
  • Taylor's Choice - Glossary of Selected GIS Terms and Concepts
  • New reference resource: Overview of Key ArcGIS Files and File Extensions (reference sheet)
  • Class notes - introduction to database management systems (DBMS)
  • Introduction to Data Editing Tools in ArcGIS
  • Identifying and Managing Special Data File Types
  • Quick Start Guide to Creating Shape Files and Geoprocessing
  • Introduction to Raster Analysis
  • Overview of LIDAR Topographic Survey Methods (Hill et al., 2000)
  • LIDAR Seminar Summary Notes: OSU, April 28, 2009 (Faux-Watershed Sciences)
  • LIDAR Mapping Fact Sheet


    Week 6 - Events

    Winter 2011 ES341 Class Project Assginment - Using GIS in Watershed Management

    Class notes - introduction to database management systems (DBMS)
    Week 5 - Events

    **Visiting Speaker Resources / Summaries

  • Taylor et al. - Intro to GIS and Example Research Applications
  • Dawn Wright - Coastal Resource Atlas Project
  • Cy Smith - Oregon Geospatial Coordinator / Statewide Overview

    **Midterm Exam Wed. Feb. 9; Lab Porfolios Due by Friday Feb. 11

    **New Lecture-Lab Topic This Week: Database Tools - Price Text Chapters 4 and 5 (not on midterm exam or part of midterm portfolio)
  • Explanation of Numeric Data Types in ArcGIS

    **New Lecture-Lab Topic This Week: National Metadata Standards
  • FGDC National Metadata Standards (Guidance Document)

    Week 5 - Events

    Click Here for 2011 Midterm Portfolio Checklist
    Winter 2011 Midterm Exam Study Guide

    **Speakers Mon. Jan 28, Dawn Wright, OSU; Wed. Feb. 2, Cy Smith, Oregon Geospatial Enterprise

    **Midterm Exam Wednesday Feb. 9; Midterm Portfolios Due Friday Feb. 11

    **This week, we will have two speakers in our theme session, and continue working on Map Projection and Map Production Tutorials
    Week 3 - Events

    New reference resource: Overview of Key ArcGIS Files and File Extensions (reference sheet)

    **No Lecture Monday Jan. 17, MLK Holiday

    **New ES341 Web Page Feature - Scroll to bottom of page to find an archive of past weekly class announcements!!

    **This week, on Wed. Jan 19, we will be tackling interwoven topics of map projections and vector data structures. We will be engaging "taylor's choice" topics and in-class exercises from the following class notes:
  • Map Projections
  • Vector Data Structures
    Week 2 - Events

    GIS Tutorial - Creating and Printing Map Work
  • GIS Tutorial Data (*.xxe - rt. click - save line as - save to H:\drive - rename to *.exe)

    Speaker Schedule Finalized - Click Here for Updated Class Schedule (as of 1/11/11)

    FILEZILLA Freeware: Click here for instructions on downloading and installing Filezilla FTP Client - to transfer files back-and-forth from WOU H:\ drive to home

    Instructions for WOU Terminal Server Access from Home

    Homework Assignment for week 2 - start engaging the ArcGIS 9.3.1 Software (either in lab or at home) and begin working on the text Chapter 2 "Mastering Skills Tutorial

  • Click here for tutorial handout (Note: we will be working on this tutorial next week)

    Week 1 Activities

    Task 1 - Purchase Textbook ASAP (REQUIRED WORK BOOK): Price, Mastering ArcGIS 4th Edition, McGraw HillI (ISBN 9780077293321)

    Task 2 - Print out and review the following classnotes/reading materials, assemble in 3-ring binder for use in class the next 2-3 weeks:

  • Class Notes: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Reading: Introduction to GIS Concepts
  • Class Notes: A Review of Topographic Map Principles
  • Class Notes: Introduction to ESRI ArcGIS Software
  • Taylor's Choice - Glossary of Selected GIS Terms and Concepts
  • Class Notes: Map Projections
  • Reading: Overview of Projections and Datums (from SeisSoft website)
  • Reading: Mean Sea Level and the Geoid

    Task 3 - Show up for class, get on the team, get back out on the field and loosen up for 11 weeks of intensive learning!