Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Advanced Geographic Information Systems Methods (Face-to-Face)

GEOG 4150-01

Course: GEOG 4150-01
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: GEOS
CRN: 33132

Course Description

Advanced GIS course. Conceptual and technical problems associated with developing and working with relational databases, cartographic modeling techniques using vector and raster GIS software tools. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a Geosciences major, minor, certificate, or as a prerequisite for any other course. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): GEOG 3550 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

N/A (all material will be online)
See Canvas Pages for PDF files and Links for all reading assignments

Learning Outcomes

Build Geospatial problem solving skills using real world local projects

Enhance data collection, Editing, sharing capabilities for ArcGIS Online Services

Enhance cartographic capabilities with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online related to interactive presentations

Navigate and build online service applications for geospatial data for a variety of topics

Assess the suitability of utilizing advanced functionality of an ArcGIS Geodatabase for database creation

Develop spatial models for hydrological watershed and stream flow utilizing Raster analysis and ModelBuilder

Communicate the results of GIS analysis and cartography using a dynamic web maps with ArcGIS Online

Demonstrate proficiency in the use of Coordinate Geometry (COGO) within ArcGIS Pro to produce parcel boundaries

Collaborate on multi-faceted GIS Projects, collect, organize, manage geospatial data to produce real-world deliverables

Course Requirements

Prerequisites:    GEOG 3550 - Spatial Analysis

General Information:
This course is considered a 4-credit integrated lecture and lab, which will required 5 hours (min) a week contact time with instructor.
Students will need to plan their time and/or schedule for additional lab time to finish the assignments, up to 7 additional hours a week.
Weekly assignments and/or worksheets will be completed before Lab time.
Each assignment must be completed and done in order.

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to create GIS vector and raster databases based on real-world problem-solving needs.

Student are required to attend class and complete assignments and work in teams as needed.

Course Outline

Course is designed around project work, for fall 2025 the following is the general outline
Some assignments will overlap the start of another assignment, where students will be working on several projects simultaneously. 
Assignment A and B will usually continue throughout the entire semester
Client project will be introduced by the client and the class will approach these tasks as a consultant group to solve problems
ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS online topics 1 and 2 will be covered throughout the semester to add skills sets and build knowledge

Assignment A - Fire Location Physiography
Assignment B - 1:24,000 Top Map for Fire Region
Assignment C - Coordinate Geometry
Assignment Client 1 - Historical work load order online Dashboard
Assignment Client 2 - Dynamic Campus FM Room Level Inventory Database
Assignment ArcGIS Pro - Topics 1
Assignment ArcGIS Pro - Topics 2
Assignment ArcGIS Online - Topics 1
Assignment ArcGIS Online - Topics 2

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

 Missing class is not an excuse for turning in any late assignments. It is your responsibility to check what you missed. Late assignments cannot earn more than 75% of total possible points, after 24 hours only 50%, and after 48 hours 25%. Please communicate with your instructor so you have every chance to earn the full points. Rescheduled exams will usually be taken before the regularly scheduled time. An exam reschedule requires the instructor permission a week prior to the planned date, this prevents last minute notices.. Documentation for school approved activities is required when missing class or an exam. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance: Students can choose to take advantage of the attendance policy by attending class. 
A 100% attendance round up policy within .25, eg 92.76% A- round to 93% A.  Attendance is highly recommended for staying current with assignments and taking notes during class. 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.