Geographic Information Systems for Public Policy - Lecture I

Introduction

Sergio Rey

Today

This course
Introduction to GIS
GIS and Public Policy

This course

Overview

This course introduces the fundamental concepts of geographic information systems (GIS), geographic information science (GIScience), spatial data, and applications of spatial analysis in the social sciences and public policy.

Overview

In the scope of a 10-week quarter course we can only introduce a handful of the key concepts and methods relevant to GIS for Public Policy. As such, the course is not intended as an exhaustive treatment. Instead, the goal is that students will acquire an understanding of the more common and useful methods and practices, and use the course as an entry point for further engagement with the field.

Focus

Spatial thinking
Spatial skills

Spatial Thinking

Earliest human writing ~5100 BP

Early Spatial Analysis

[source]

Spatial Thinking is Important

[source]

Course Objectives

At the end of this course students will:

possess a sound understanding of fundamental spatial concepts and theory;
know how to locate, import, manipulate, display, and analyze geographical data in open source computational tools;
have the ability to apply GIScience concepts and methods in public policy and social science research.

Computational Learning

We will using open source geospatial software throughout the course, primarily QGIS
No prior programming experience is assumed and all computational concepts are presented in a self-contained manner
All software for the course will be made available through lab computers. Students are strongly encouraged to install these packages on their personal computers to facilitate working outside of the meeting times.

Course Structure

We will meet Mondays and Wednesdays.
First part of the meeting will be in lecture format where we cover core GIS concepts and theory.
Second part of the meeting will be more hands on where we explore GIS software to engage with the core concepts introduced in part one.

Grading

Component	Points
Exercise 1	15
Exercise 2	15
Exercise 3	15
Exercise 4	15
Midterm exam	10
Final exam	20
Collaboration	10

Exercises

Four exercises will be introduced in class and are to be completed outside of meeting times.
Collaboration on exercises is encouraged with the understanding that you alone are responsible for mastering the material
Collaboration is not allowed on the examinations
Material from the exercises will form the bases of some examination questions

Exams

Exams will be given in-class and are closed-book
Reviews will be held during the meeting prior to the exam
The final exam will be cumulative
Makeups for exams will be given in cases of unforeseen emergencies
Makeups will consist of a 30 minute oral examination during office hours

Collaboration

You have the opportunity to earn a total of 10 collaboration points. Collaboration here means you make a contribution that improves the course experience for all.

Points can be earned for the following contributions:

An approved review question (1 pt)
An approved answer to a review question (1 pt)

Review Questions

Can be submitted anytime up to 2 weeks before the midterm or final
Must be submitted through piazza
Have to be approved by the professor for credit

Piazza

[https://piazza.com/ucr/winter2020/pbpl273/home]

Schedule

Code of Conduct

As course instructor, I am dedicated to providing a harassment-free learning experience for all students, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or choice of operating system. All course participants are expected to show respect and courtesy to other students throughout the semester. As a learning community we do not tolerate harassment of participants in any form.

Code of Conduct

All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate in this course.
Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other students. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for PBPL273.
Students violating these rules may be asked to leave the course, and their violations will be reported to the UCR administration.

This code of conduct is an adaptation of the SciPy 2018 Code of Conduct.

Introduction to GIS

Geographic Information Systems

Geographic: relates to a specific place on or in relation to the Earth’s surface
Information: data to which some value or interpretation has been added
Systems: a system designed to perform a wide range of function on and with GI
Acronym: GISystems