COURSE CIT 299: Selected Topics in GIS
COURSE SYLLABUS

# COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course allows customization of GIS software applications by way of modified service interface elements. Topics include the theory and implementation of the various scripting languages currently in use. Upon completion, students will be able to solve geospatial problems and streamline GIS workflows through the creation and modification of scripts.

Course Credits: 3

Contact Hours: 45

Prerequisites/Co-requisites: (CIT125) or consent of the instructor

This course contains 3 Modules:

Module Name | Credit Hours
--- | ---
Module 1: Geospatial Programming Concepts | 0.5
Module 2: Geospatial Script Development | 1
Module 3: Geospatial Script Mapping | 1.5
Total Credit Hours: | 3

## Instructor Information

To view information (including contact information) about your course module instructor, click on Meet/Email Your Instructor from the menu on the left in your Blackboard course.

## Course Communication

If you need to schedule a phone conference or an in-person visit with your instructor, click the link located in Meet/Email Your Instructor menu option to email your instructor (select all instructors) to email your instructor about making an appointment. Ensure that the course and section appear in the subject line of your email and adhere to netiquette while communicating with your instructor. Your instructor is here to guide you through the content and with any questions you may have. Responses are generally given within 24 hours (at the most 48 hours).The instructors profile provides contact and other information. If you have questions about the course, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor. If you are having technical problems with the course, be sure to contact the Blackboard Help desk, click Help and Support on the menu, or click the Help Tab at the top of the Blackboard page.

KCTCS Email information: https://welcome.kctcs.edu/email/

For this course you are required to use your KCTCS email account when communicating with the instructor and other students.

## Schedule/Calendar

Each student's time in the course will vary from 6 to 15 weeks depending on your course start and end date. In Blackboard you will be provided a course checklist that lists items for completion in the course and that will allow you to determine your prersonal calendar for completing course activities, assignments, and quizzes.

Access the Course Checklist

*You may need your KCTCS credentials to access

## Refunds and No-Show's

Below you will find a refund schedule. The refund schedule gives you important dates on when you are eligibile and how much you are eligible for a refund if you plan to withdraw from the course. Additionally, the refund schedule also lists the date for completing the no-show activity. For example, if your course is a 10 week course, you must complete the no-show activity within the 4th day from the course start date. To complete the no-show activity, you will start by taking the syllabus quiz that will verify your attendance at the beginning of the course. To make sure you are not reported as absent or not attending the course, you will need to make sure to complete the syllabus quiz on or near your start date.

## Timeframe for Refunds*

Session | 100% and No-Show Activity Completion Timeframe | 50% | No Refund
--- | --- | --- | ---
15 week | Within 7th day | 8th-27th days | After 28th day
14 week | Within 6th day | 7th-25th days | After 25th day
13 week | Within 6th day | 7th-24th days | After 24th day
12 week | Within 5th day | 6th-22nd days | After 22nd day
11 week | Within 5th day | 6th-20th days | After 20th day
10 week | Within 4th day | 5th-18th days | After 18th day
9 week | Within 4th day | 5th-16th days | After 16th day
8 week | Within 4th day | 5th-15th days | After 15th day
7 week | Within 3rd day | 4th-13th days | After 13th day
6 week | Within 2nd day | 3rd-10th days | After 10th day

*Dates for 100%, 50% and no refund are from the start date of the course.

Attendance is verified throughout the course until you reach your end date. You will need to make sure you are accessing the course and completing course requirements (listed in the course calendar) on a consistent basis as attendance must be verified through out your time in the course until a grade is posted (A, B, C, D, E, or W).

# COURSE INFORMATION

## Learner Competencies and Outcomes

Upon completion of this course module, the student will be able to:

1. Produce solutions to automate geoprocessing functions using a variety of programming methods, structures, and data sources.
2. Use a scripting language to modify and create geoprocessing scripts.
3. Construct, complete and troubleshoot computer code according to best practices.
4. Solve geospatial problems and streamline GIS workflows through the design and development of custom GIS applications.
5. Modify user interfaces to increase productivity.

## Outline

1. Basics of Geoprocessing and its languages
   1. Basics of GIS modeling and geoprocessing.
   2. Available programming languages
   3. Geoprocessing application through selected programming language.
2. Programming Fundamentals 1
   1. Basic syntax of selected programming language.
   2. Data types, operators, variables, methods, and events.
3. Programming Fundamentals 2
4. Working with Maps, Layers and Layer Rendering
   1. Programming with objects in maps and layers module.
   2. Different layer rendering methods and how to implement them.
5. Data Access and Creation with Geodatabase
   1. Accessing spatial attribute data from a geodatabase.
   2. Creation and storing of new dataset.
6. Working with Geometry and Selections
   1. Types of geometry and the topological, relational and proximity operators.
   2. Use of operators to make a spatial selection.
   3. How to work with the selected set.
7. Working with Map Layout.

Final Project- Completion of a project utilizing the skills gained from this class.

## General Education Competencies

Students should prepare for twenty-first century challenges by gaining:

1. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts.

2. Intellectual and practical skills, including

- inquiry and analysis
- critical and creative thinking
- written and oral communication
- quantitative literacy
- information literacy
- teamwork and problem solving

3. Personal and social responsibility, including

- civic knowledge and engagement (local and global)
- intercultural knowledge and competence
- ethical reasoning and action
- foundations and skills for lifelong learning

4. Integrative and applied learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized skills.

# GRADING CRITERIA

This course contains 3 modules. The contents and grading for each module are listed below. The grades for each module will be averaged based on grade received and the credit hour to determine the final score.

First you will complete a course pre-test, based on your score you will either move to the credit for prior learning section (see below), or you will proceed to the first module. Each module contains a module pre-test (where you can also obtain credit for prior learning—see below). Each module has various reading assignments, videos and website, topic assignment(s), learning activities, and a topic quiz.

## Course Components, Assignments, Quizzes

This course will be evaluated on the topic assignments, and case studies. You will take a pre-test to evaluate your knowledge of the course materials.

Students will also complete the following activities:

1. Basic Immediate Mode Python scripts for print, If, For Statements
2. ArcPy commands associated with ArcMap Functions
3. Creation of scripts for intelligent labeling with Python and Xml
4. Using the Cursor Command in multiple scripts
5. Building a personal toolbox
6. Creating a database Python function for the creation of a new attribute
7. Creation of nest loop functions scripts
8. Creation of scripts to export images in pdf format
9. Creation of scripts to combine multiple map files

## Pre-Test

The course will have one course pre-test to determine any prior learning of content. Each module will also require the completion of a Module Pre-test Exam. This will allow you to see what areas you are strong in and what areas need additional work. If you complete the Course or Module Pre-test Exam with a 90% or higher score, you will have the option of proceeding to the course or module post-test (called the Credit for Prior Learning or CPL test), which if passed successfully will allow you to obtain credit for this module and proceed to the next module to gain credit for prior learning. Read more below about Credit for Prior Learning. In order to achieve credit for prior learning you must score a 90% on both the course or module pre- and course or module CPL post-test. If you do not achieve the required score, you will be directed to complete the entire module. All pre-tests ARE NOT calculated in the overall grade for each module and for the overall grade of the course. There is no penalty to attempt the CPL post-test. All pre-test and CPL exams are presented one question at a time, are timed, and will auto-submit at the end of the time frame given for the exam.

## Credit for Prior Learning

KCTCS Online open-entry course modules are based on the goal that students will demonstrate mastery of content. Through KCTCS Online, students have the opportunity to receive credit for prior learning. To receive this credit, students must demonstrate mastery of the course module competencies through the following steps:

- Take the pre-test. The pre-test may only be taken once. If the score on the pre-test meets a level of pre-determined competency, the student will have the option to immediately take the post-test.
- If the student demonstrates mastery of competencies on the post-test, a final grade will be awarded and the student will receive credit for the course. The final grade is based upon the actual score earned on the post-test along with any other assignments affecting the final course grade.
- If the student does not demonstrate mastery of competencies on the Case Study post-test, the student must remain enrolled in the course module until successfully completing all of the course module requirements and the Case Study post-test, or until the end date of the course module- whichever comes first. Upon the end date of the course module, the student will receive a final grade earned based on completed assignments and Case Study post-test scores.

## Summary of Tasks

Module 1 - Tasks | Percentage | Module 2 - Tasks | Percentage | Module 3 - Tasks | Percentage
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Assignments | 30% | Assignments | 30% | Assignments | 30%
Case Study | 70% | Case Study | 70% | Case Study | 70%

All assignments, case studies, and tests will be graded within 24-48 hours of submission. See Final Grading Calculation for how the score received for this module will calculate into the final grade for the full course.

## Final Grading Calculation

This course is presented as a full (or parent) course with chunks of content called modules (since these modules can be taken separately). You will receive a score for each module. The score for each module is averaged together (determine by credit hour of each module) to determine your final grade for the full (or parent) course. The percentage score received for each module will be multiplied by the credit hours of the module to give a total module percentage. Each of the total module percent scores will be added together then divided by the total credit hour of the full (or parent) course to obtain a final percentage score for the course. Based on where the final percentage score falls on the grade scale will determine the final letter grade to be posted for the student.

Module | Percentage Score Received for each Module | Credit Hours | Total Percentage
--- | --- | --- | ---
Module 1: CIT 2991 |  | X 0.5 | 17%
Module 2: CIT 2992 |  | X 1.0 | + 33%
Module 3: CIT 2993 |  | X 1.5 | + 50%
| Total Credit Hours> | 3 |
| Final Percentage Score> | 100%

## Grading Scale

The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course related assignments and exams.

A - 90 – 100%

B - 80 – 89.9%

C - 70 – 79.9%

E - 69.9% or below

Incompletes are not given for this course. You are expected to work at a consistent pace throughout the course and complete all course work by the course end date.

# POLICIES

## Plagiarism Statement

Plagiarism and cheating are serious academic offenses. The KCTCS regulations pertaining to plagiarism and cheating can be found in Section 3.1.1 (page 6) of the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct at:

https://kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Code_of_Student_Conduct.aspx

Penalties for violation of these policies can be found in Section 4.B.ii (page 11).

## Disability Statement

The Kentucky Community and Technical College System would like to help students with disabilities achieve their highest potential in academic studies. In order to receive accommodations on assignments or examinations, proper documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services at your home campus. You must then self-identify and conference with the Director of Disability Support Services or Manager of Disability Services to begin receiving accommodations in the course/module. For more information, contact the KCTCS Online Help Desk:

https://kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Disability_Services.aspx

## Financial Aid

Financial aid for the KCTCS Online program functions differently than financial aid for courses on campus or online through Distance Learning. Please contact the KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk for more information.

## Dropping a Course

The student can receive an A, B, C, E, or W in this module. For information about how dropping this course will affect your grade and future financial aid, please view your academic calendar in Student Self-Service or contact the KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk for more information.

# HELP AND SUPPORT

## The Blackboard Support Center

The Blackboard Support Center can help provide support via Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and phone regarding Blackboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

## Student Services

The KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk provides Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student Services staff can help you with any question you have about the application process, financial aid, registering for classes, tuition payments, and other student services.

## Course-Specific Questions

If you have a specific question about the course or the content, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. Your instructor's contact information is under the "Meet Your Instructor" link or :"Email Your Instructor" on the course menu. Please allow 24-48 hours for your instructor to respond to your questions.

## Starfish

Starfish is a student support tool that can help you succeed in your course. Your instructor can raise flags if there's a concern about your progress, give you kudos for good performance, or make to-do items for you that will help you succeed. You can also use Starfish to schedule appointments with your instructor or your Virtual Student Success Coach. Be sure to click on "Starfish" from the menu list in your Blackboard course to learn more and to create your student profile!

# INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

## Required eResources

Website Material Available at: www.pythongist.weebly.com

All resources are available in your Blackboard course and were paid with the eResource fees charged along with your tution. You do not need to go to the bookstore.

## Minimum technical requirements:

- Windows XP or above, Mac OSX 10.5 "Leopard" or above
- 512 MB RAM (2GB or higher optimal)
- Reliable e-mail software and active e-mail account
- Reliable Internet access (High speed such as cable or DSL recommended)
- Printer strongly recommended
- Your course may require special plug-ins (free) to access Streaming Media (video clips)
- Use of a Browser (See browser list. Check browser.)

## Software Requirements

Learners will need to make sure appropriate software and plug-ins are installed on your computer. Be sure to review, and if necessary, install appropriate software and plug-ins listed in the software section of the Start Here >>>>> area in the Blackboard module shell.

- Adobe Reader
- Microsoft Office, Open Office or Google Docs
- Microsoft Windows Media Player
- QuickTime (optional)
- Real Player (optional)
- ArcMap 10.4.1 or higher (will be provided, learner must install)
- NET framework 4.5 or higher (for ArcMap)
- Downloading PythonWin: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/files/pywin32/Build%20219/pywin32-219.win32-py2.7.exe/download

* Disable any pop-up blockers on your system while using Blackboard.

Did you know all currently enrolled KCTCS students are eligible to install the full version of Office 365 Pro on up to 5 devices for free?

This includes PC, Mac, Apple tablets and phones, and Android tablets and phones. The software will continue to work as long as you are enrolled in at least one class at a KCTCS college. This gives you access to Outlook (for email), Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Read more at: https://kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Software_Discounts.aspx

## Resources

- Python functions: https://docs.python.org/2/library/functions.html

- Author's Python Website: http://pythongist.weebly.com

- ArcPy commands: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.2/index.html#//018v0000005p000000

- Glossary: http://pythongist.weebly.com/glossary.html

- Downloading PythonWin: http://sourceforge.net/projects/pywin32/files/pywin32/Build%20219/pywin32-219.win32-py2.7.exe/download

- This is a general website about Python and good starting point. https://www.python.org/

- Esri landing page: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/communities/python/
- Python Scripting for ArcGIS, Paul A. Zandbergen, 2013, Esri Press
- Books:GIS Tutorial for Python Scripting, David W. Allen, 2014, Esri Press

## Browsers

It is recommended learners have more than one browser installed. At times it may be necessary to access certain web applications using various browsers. These browsers are free to download and install.

- Google Chrome - https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/
- Mozilla Firefox - http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/
- Microsoft Internet Explorer - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/internet-explorer/download-ie

Be sure you understand how to disable any pop-up blockers on your system. This may be necessary while using Blackboard.

## Other Resources

To assist with communication it is recommended that you purchase a microphone/headset/webcam.

- Microphone/headset - to utilize Voice Tools available on Blackboard including Blackboard Collaborate and Live Classroom.
- WebCam (optional) - allows visual communications on the learners end.

Additionally, if you have a smart phone or tablet, you can download and use the Bb Mobile Learn App.

# Disclaimer

This product was funded in part by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.