"Concern for man himself and his fate must always form the chief interest of all technical endeavor. Never forget this in the midst of your diagrams and equations."


Albert Einstein



Introduction Requirements Lectures Labs Midterm Final

 

GIS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology for Visualization and Analysis of Environmental Data (E.E.E./C.E. E1001x)


         Prof. Yuri Gorokhovich
  

Introduction.
 

Environmental data are available in a great variety of formats. They include topography, bathymetry, satellite images of the Earth, contaminant levels in surface and subsurface waters, and so forth. Scientists and engineers are routinely called upon to analyze multiple sets of spatially distributed data. This task can be made much easier by using the visualization and computational tools provided by the Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is a set of software modules that allows collection, storage, manipulation and visual display of any kind of geographically referenced spatial data.

This course will introduce students to the general concepts of data entry, visualization and analysis, using the ARCVIEW and ARCINFO GIS software. Most of the course will examine the principles and application of GIS to specific examples and case studies in the area of the Earth and environmental sciences and engineering. This subject of multi-disciplinary interest will be taught by an expert in GIS Dr. Yuri Gorokhovich (also, Head of the GIS Unit for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Quality Control). A team of scientists associated with Columbia's Earth Engineering Center will present specific environmental applications of GIS technology. The facilities of the Gateway computer laboratory of the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) will be used.

 

Requirements

Prerequisites - Desire to learn and basic skills in geography (coordinates systems, scales), computers (operating system, file management), mathematics (algebra), geometry (topology, geometric forms) and statistics (minimum, maximum, median, range, standard deviation)

Grading Policy:

Labs - 30%; Midterm - 35%; Final - 35%;

Labs have to be submitted by 12 p.m. on 7th day. Each day after that time will result in 5% reduction from the grade.

Letter grades will be based on the average grades and correspond to the following intervals:

90 - 100%   (A)

80 - 90 %    (B)

70 - 80%     (C)

60 - 70%     (D)

< 60%          (F)

"+" will be given in addition to the letter grade for extra efforts, punctuality in lab performance and attendance.

Students requiring special assistance to complete assignments must identify themselves to the instructor by the end of the second week of classes. These include accommodations for physical handicaps or learning disabilities.

Required Assignments

Labs (after each class)    -    Midterm   -     Final

Exam Schedule:

TBA

Required Materials:

Textbook:
 

Aronoff, Stan. 1995. Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective.
  Supplementary Reading:
  Burrough, P.A., Rachael McDonnell. 1998. Principles of Geographical Information Systems.

Clarke, Keith. 1998. Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems.
 
 

 Syllabus

Lecture 1-2.

Introduction to GIS, computer hardware and software for GIS and peripheral devices

Geographical principles in GIS

Lecture 2-4.

Vector and raster types of GIS

Data structure and applications

Lecture 5-6.

Data input in GIS. Scale issues. Data resolution vs. spatial resolution

Topology of spatial objects. Data editing

Lecture 7-8.

GIS databases and attribute tables. Relational databases

Database query and analysis. Map algebra

Lecture 9-10.

Visualization in GIS. Maps as informational tool.

Basic cartographic principles. Techniques of spatial data visualization

Lecture 11-12.

Data interpolation. Statistical methods of interpolation

Interpolation technique with raster and vector GIS data

Lecture 13-14.

Topographic data

Digital Elevation Models (DEM)

Lecture 15-16.

Global Positioning System (GPS). Use of the GPS data in GIS.

Terrain and bathymetrical modeling using GPS data

Lecture 17-18.

GIS and hydrological modeling

Engineering design and use of GIS data.

Lecture 19-20.

Guest Lecturer (TBA). Remote Sensing and GIS applications

Lecture 21-22.

Ross Bagtzoglou. Groundwater modeling and GIS applications.

Lecture 23-24.

Roeloff Versteeg/Theresa Kennedy. Geophysical data in GIS applications. The New York Virtual Harbor.

Lecture 25-26.

Roberta Miller (CIESIN). Demographic and socioeconomic studies

Lecture 27.

Final Exam

Assignments

Lab 1.     Scales, Coordinates. Arcview Interface. Questions on GIS to discuss.

Lab 2.     GIS Formats. Arcinfo and Arcview file structure.

Lab 3.     Digitizing. Creating GIS file from hardcopy map/text file/image.
                Software commands.

Lab 4.     Working with GIS databases.
                Define mileage of roads and wetland areas within watershed basins.
                Define the ratio between reservoir areas and watershed basin areas.

Lab 5.     Data Interpolation. Global and local interpolation methods.

Lab 6.    Creation of the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from contour lines and random
               points.

Midterm Exam

Lab 7.    Creation of the Digital Terrain Model (DTM). Hillshades, aspect and slope.
               Simple analysis with DTM elements.

Lab 8.    Working with bathymetric data. Modeling level changes in lakes/reservoirs.
               Calculating volumes.

Lab 9.    Hydrological modeling of the small watershed. Drainage outlet design.

Lab 10.  Remote Sensing Imagery. Review of NASA space projects.

Lab 11.  Hydrogeological modeling with DRASTIC.

Lab 12.  TBA

Lab 13.  Demographic and socio-economic data in GIS.

Lab 14.  GIS course review.

Final Exam

Bibliography

Books

Articles

Web Resources

Lecture Notes

Free GIS Data

Readings

Miscellaneous
 

... Please send all suggestions regarding this site to Prof. Yuri Gorokhovich at: yg119@columbia.edu !