Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 | ENV-1120-VO01 - Geospatial Technology

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Hilary Ivy
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Jennifer Guarino

General Education Requirements

VSCS Digital and Technical Literacy

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of geospatial technology, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), cartography, remote sensing, and spatial analysis through a series of hands-on computer-based exercises. Participants learn how to utilize geospatial technology to address social and environmental issues.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Science and Technology.
2. Explain basic functions and uses of geospatial software and hardware.
3. Employ fundamental remote sensing and spatial analysis techniques.
4. Demonstrate basic proficiency in map creation and design principles, including thematic map display, employment of map projections, and cartographic design.
5. Create and acquire spatial data using sources including the Global Position System.
6. Access and create different sources of data and evaluate their quality.
7. Demonstrate proficiency in understanding, interpreting, evaluating, and applying quantitative data and information.
8. Explain how the analysis and presentation of spatial information has been used to perpetuate or disrupt systems of inequality.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

1. Provide students with online discussions forum, narrated lectures, written online content, demo videos, and podcasts to develop knowledge of key concepts of computer applications.
2. Develop an understanding of the social and ethical impacts of geographic data and geospatial information technology through reflection and online group discussion.
3. Weekly lab assignments that help students become familiar with GIS software, data requirements and cloud computing technologies.
4. Oversee applied field assignments, participatory GIS projects and individual presentation development.

Evaluation Criteria

Assignments are weighted by group:

· Quizzes: 5%

· Discussions & Content Completion: 20%

· Weekly Assignments: 25%

· Final Individual Project: 25%

· Group Presentation Project: 25%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

A significant part of your grade in this class will be based on your participation and engagement in-class and group work. To earn full credit for participation students should:

• Read, watch and or listen to content connected to that week's learning objectives.
• Complete individual and group lab work
• Participate in and make meaningful contribution to group projects
• Submit individual final project and portfolio materials.

Before engaging in discussions students should read and be familiar with the course Ground Rules and CCV's Academic Integrity policy. The Ground Rules and Integrity policy are non-negotiable, failure to adhere to either will negatively impact final grades.

Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom. Attendance in class, collaborative group work and participating in discussions are required to obtain full credit for this course. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance. Please review CCV’s Attendance Policy for additional information.

Missing & Late Work Policy

• Assignments are due by 11:59 pm the Monday after class. Please upload your assignments directly on Canvas.
• It is your responsibility to regularly check Canvas to review weekly reading assignments, notes and materials if you have missed a class. Please reach out to me and ask any questions if this is unclear.
• Plan to complete the labs even if you will be absent. Being absent is not an excuse for failure to complete and hand in homework assigned for the day.
• Please avoid handing in work late, except in emergency situations. In the case if an extenuating circumstance, please communicate with me as early as possible about your need to miss class and/or an assignment.

Experiential Learning Expectations

Hours: 6-10

You will have at least eight hours of field learning that will occur during Week 5. During this week we will not meet in class for our Wednesday, October 4th session though the lab at your closest CCV campus is available to you individually or for group work at our designated time should you need to use it. I will hold live office hour blocks for students who have additional questions during this week.

Field Work Requirements: Total EIGHT Hours Work-time

Four Hours: Group Project Assignment - Students are expected to meet with their assigned group for field work related to final group presentations for at least two hours (via video or in-person) and conduct an additional two hours of further work (can be individually or collaboratively) on group projects. All materials and project work must be documented and submitted in the week's lab assignment to receive credit for attendance on this week.

Four Hours: Individual Research Project Assignment - Students will conduct field research for individual project completing at least four hours of work on required deliverables. Students submit all work by the assigned deadline to receive full credit for attendance this week and field work portion of grade on final assignment.

Documentation

All students must submit notes and documents for field work by 11:59 pm on Tuesday October 10th, 2023. In order for the individual and the group work to be marked as ‘Attended’ and too receive credit for the week’s labs. Students will gain valuable experience in conducting research, identifying relevant service and community organizations, compiling artifacts and utilizing technology to capture, synthesize and report out on their findings.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity