GIS 6110: Advanced GIs Final Project

GIS 6110: Advanced GIs Final Project

During Advanced Topics in GIS, students learned about SQL database technologies and Web GIS, which included HTML, server-side scripting via PHP and Python, mapping APIs and MapServer. For their final project, students were asked to take a typical desktop GIS workflow and put it online in prototype or pilot form. Students were then asked to record a demonstration of their project.

This week, we would like to highlight the outstanding work of Samuel Song! Samuel's project was chosen due to his excellent utilization of concepts learned throughout the class and presentation.

GIS6005- Communicating GIS - Student Spotlight

Module 6: Choropleth Maps

During week 6, students explored choropleth mapping. This is the most widely used type of thematic map for quantitative data. Choropleth maps are used for normalized data - in contrast to proportional symbol maps which are used for total counts. Choropleth maps are also one of the most complex type of maps to design. You have to make decisions on normalization, classification and color ramps, among other things. Different design decisions can result in a very different map for the same data, so more than ever it is important to be aware of your design process. 

We would like to specifically recognize Jeremy Mullins for his excellent cartographic work in this module and the class so far. In addition to his lab deliverables being professional and well organized, he has shown an eye for creativity and critical thinking. This makes Jeremy’s work stand out because good cartography is both an art and a science. For example, in the choropleth lab title choice for a population change map of Georgia draws the map readers in by providing a slightly-tongue-in-cheek, but geographically accurate, description of the maps’ purposes.

Jeremy’s blog post is also well written and shows the corresponding maps he has produced for each lab. 

Jeremy is a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the GIS Certificate Program and we are so happy that he chose UWF! Keep up the great work Jeremy!

GIS6555 - GIS Management - Student Spotlight

GIS 6555 - GIS Management, Instructor, Dr. Derek Morgan

GIS Management (GIS 6555) is one of the first courses to be offered from the M.S.A. with a specialization in Geographic Information Science (GIS) degree plan. This course provides practical information on the development, implementation, and operation of GIS programs and projects intended for seasoned, new and GIS aspiring managers. Studying the concepts of managerial theory within the context GIS should prove useful to their geospatial careers. 

We would like to recognize all of our current graduate students for blazing a trail in the maiden voyage of this course. They are all doing a great job embracing material that isn’t traditionally taught in a GIS program, but is increasingly relevant as the industry matures. Below we highlight one student’s work that is illustrative of the content of this course.  

Module 1 had the students creating flow charts. Why flowcharts? Well, flowcharts can help GIS managers define and analyze processes to identify bottlenecks or troubleshoot a problems within the current GIS program. One technique to operationalize efforts to align business processes with organization mission, business needs and users is to utilize flow charts. Organizations expend enormous time and resources to document and “map” current processes and workflows with the logical justification that a detailed picture of the current state is a necessary starting point for business process improvement (Crosswell 2009). 

During this module students were given a real-word case study from ArcNews, “GIS Speeds Water Service Restoration” (Esri 2015), that illustrates a process improvement. From this case study students were asked to create before and after improvement flowcharts.

And the STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARD goes to...Stuart Fricke! 

Stuart did a great job separating the organizational roles (e.g. customer service and customer along the vertical axis of the chart) within a broader depiction of the business processes themselves. Stuart effectively utilized the standard flowchart symbols to create a visualization of business process improvements.  Stuart’s passion for maps (and GIS) shows through his work in this class, and we are thrilled to have him in the program.

Old Process

New Process

Follow Stuart's progress through the program at his student blog.

Welcome to the Spotlight, Stuart!

References

• Croswell, P. L. (2009). The GIS Management Handbook. Frankfort, KY: Kessey Dewitt Publications.
• Esri (2015). GIS Speeds Water Service Restoration. ArcNews Fall 2015 Vol., No. 3.

GIS6005- Communicating GIS - Student Spotlight

GIS 6005 - Communicating GIS, Instructor, Dr. Derek Morgan

Communicating GIS is the first course to be offered from the M.S.A. with a specialization in Geographic Information Science (GIS) degree plan. This course begins with the basic theory of graphic design, cartography, and map production and distribution. Students then learn to communicate specific types of spatial and analytical information through maps, written and oral explanations, graphs, tables, charts, and interactive web mapping applications.

During week 9, students built on previous exercises and worked with techniques for including multiple variables within a single map. When effectively designed multivariate mapping can be used to show relationships between variables, making this method particularly useful for exploration and confirmation purposes. The lab drew on previous material such as color, choropleth and map design in general.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT AWARDS

We would like to recognize EmilyVandenheuvel for her multivariate module work. 
 

Emily has been a pleasure to have in the class. Emily comes to us with a BA in Geography & Psychology from Northern Michigan University. Her previous education has served her well in Communicating GIS, as she has thoughtfully contributed to course discussions both as a student and discussion leader. For instance during the week of lab 6 Emily asked clarifying questions regarding the usage of normalized variables within Choropleth mapping that fostered a subsequent dialog that was useful to her classmates. For the multivariate lab Emily successfully created a bivariate map illustrating obesity as it relates to physical activity rates across the USA. Her legend (shown here) demonstrates many of the design principles that we covered in the class. She makes use of different typography and colors effectively showing the relationship between these two variables. Also, her blog post is well written and shows the corresponding map she produced.

Great work Emily!  

Multivariate Mapping Module Learning Outcomes

• Recall map design choice for multivariate maps
• Explain how multivariate maps contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between variables.
• Carry out bivariate choropleth using GIS software