GESC151 Syllabus 2021/22 winter term PDF

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GESC 151 syllabus for the 21/22 winter term...

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Course Syllabus GESC151 Our Digital Earth Department of Geography and Environmental Studies Winter | 2022 I acknowledge that in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Brantford we are on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnawbe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Instructor Information John Maclachlan Email:[email protected] Course Information Requirements: No programming experience needed Course Format: Online Course Contact: Email the course instructor with the course code in the subject line. Do not use the MLS mailing system. Course Description The earth is in constant flux; with natural processes constantly creating changes in weather, landforms, and habitats which in turn drive changes in the distributions of plant and animal communities and their interactions. Social and anthropogenic processes of change layer onto this dynamic earth to both augment existing processes through resource extraction, disturbances, pollution, and conversation and remediation practices as well as be impacted by changes in natural processes. Seen from a geographic perspective, this infinitely complex arrangement of natural and anthropogenic processes produces patterns of geographic variation in everything around us. A geographical lens into this complexity can reveal new and hidden insights into everything from crime, to health, to deforestation, to climate change. In order to detect, decode, and make meaning of these geographic patterns around us, we need to be able to interact with information about the earth recorded at local, regional and global scales. A digital representation of this earth, termed the Digital Earth, can be a tool to navigate the patterns and processes of change and help us create a more sustainable world. The aim of this introductory course is to provide a background in the fundamentals of Digital Earth Systems and explore the Digital Earth from a geographic perspective. A major aim of this course is to expose students to real-world practical applications of Digital Earth Systems in science, environmental management, city management plans, and public health. Students will explore a variety of geospatial tools and technologies in this course, including digital globes, drones, satellite imagery, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Global Positioning System

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(GPS), web maps, and geographic information systems (GIS) through assignments students will gain experience examining these tools while gaining a deeper insight into how they are used to change and help us understand the world around us. In order to motivate the use of the Digital Earth to understand real-world and socially-relevant problems, we have identified several thematic foci for the course which we will focus on. These are specified below; 1. Crime and policing in the City of Toronto 2. Mapping the weather 3. COVID-19; mapping and modelling 4. Forest carbon accounting using remote sensing 5. Personal and community geographic knowledge 6. Global marine shipping tracking from space 7. Community-based mapping and counter-mapping This course will use MyLearningSpace (MyLS) for quizzes, announcements, readings, and additional materials. It is expected students will log into MyLS every day to check the course website for updates and emails. It is essential that students learn how to access and use the MyLS system. https://mylearningspace.wlu.ca – additional web-based course materials may also be used which will be announced in the first week of classes. Course Goal and Learning Outcomes The goal of this course is to develop an understanding of how the earth is represented in digital systems and how these representations can be used to address environmental issues of societal relevance. In completing this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe how information about the earth is captured and represented in digital systems 2. Explain how a geographic perspective on the world can contribute to understanding both natural and anthropogenic processes 3. Learn how to access and analyze geospatial data 4. Utilize freely available geospatial technologies to map spatial distributions of geographic features and processes 5. Assess the accuracy and limitations of digital systems and geospatial data Course Readings There is not a required textbook for this course. Weekly readings and related materials will be posted within online course content section. Student Evaluation Type Percentage (%) Reading Reports 10 (x2) Assignments (x8)

20

Participation

10

Comments Each module we will have readings and related materials to review. Students will have to complete three reading reports to hand in throughout the term. Each module will have small assignments associated with them to demonstrate key tools and concepts. You are to hand in assignments to the proper MyLS Dropbox. Meaningful discussion posts in at least 5 modules

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Quizzes (x7)

20

Term Project

20

Exam

20

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Quizzes will be held on MyLearningSpace throughout the term. Each module will have its own quiz. Students will select a theme explored in the course and will conduct an exploration of related literature and complete a data exercise to explore key questions. There will be one exam held at the end of module 8 focused on the major topics of the course.

Notes: Reading Reports: Reading reports are 750-word reflections on a reading related to the course material. Readings will be assigned each week. You are free to choose which weeks / readings you’d like to do a reading report for. A detailed description of the assignment will be distributed in the content section the MLS/ Participation: Participation will be graded based on contributions to online discussions. A minimum of five meaningful posts related to five separate modules is required for full grades. As well, postsmust be made before the module assignment is due to be considered a valid post. Assignments: Assignments consist of short questions related to modules content. Each assignment must be submitted 6 days after the end of the module. So a module starting Monday and ending Sunday, would have an assignment due the following Sunday at midnight. Quizzes: Quizzes will be conducted on the course website. Online quizzes will start on day 5 at 9 am and close day 7 at 11:59 pm. There are 7 quizzes, however only the best 6 will be used to calculate the final grade. Quizzes will be based on all material covered and discussed in the course. For modules spanning two weeks, the quiz will only be held the second week. Term Project: A term project will comprise the last few weeks of the course. Students will work in groups of up to 5 (you may work individually or with any number of people up to a maximum of five) to complete a digital earth project on a topic of their choosing, comprising a written and a visual component. Everyone in the group gets the same grade. More details on the term project will be provided during the course. Exam: A final exam will take place on day 2 of week 10. The exam will be written and students will have 24 hours to complete the exam.

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Our Digital Earth - Tentative Schedule Week Week 1 Week 2

Week 3 Week 4 Week 5

Week 6 Week 7

Module

Thematic Focus

Module 1 - Digital Earth Basics Module 2 - The Digital Earth in Action Module 3 Satellite Imagery;

A Story of Digital Earth (Jan 4 start)

Module 4 - Citizen Science and Community Mapping Module 5 - GPS and Wayfinding

Open Street Maps, RinkWatch

Module 6 - UAS

Mapping Snow Water Equivalent in northern Canada

Mapping Global Shipping Patterns

Crop Monitoring in Canada Monitoring Forest Carbon From Space

Origins of Global Positioning Systems and Global Navigation Satellite Systems

Reading Week (Feb 21-25) Week 8 Week 9

Week 10 Week 11 Week 12

Module 7 - GIS and Big Data Module 8 GeoVisualization and Story Maps Exam and Term Project Exercise

Crime and policing in the City of Toronto

Term Project Work Period Digital Earth Town Hall

Work sessions and technical support for term project work Visual components of term projects showcased in online digital town hall with faculty and graduate students working with the Digital Earth in their research. (Apr 4th)

Earth surface visualization in climate model grids, City of Kitchener Story Maps Written Exam conducted day 2 of this week. Overview of term project and walk-thru exercise introduced.

University and Course Policies 1. Academic Calendars: Students are encouraged to review the Academic Calendar for information regarding all important dates, deadlines, and services available on campus.

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2. Special Needs: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier’s Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources. 3. Plagiarism: The University has approved the following wording for inclusion on all course syllabi about the use of the institutionally supported plagiarism software tool. “Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism. If requested to do so by the instructor, students are required to submit their written work in electronic form, and have it checked for plagiarism.” (Approved by Senate May 14, 2002). In addition to the statement above you may wish to add the following text about academic integrity. 4. Academic Integrity: Laurier is committed to a culture of integrity within and beyond the classroom. This culture values trustworthiness (i.e., honesty, integrity, reliability), fairness, caring, respect, responsibility and citizenship. Together, we have a shared responsibility to uphold this culture in our academic and nonacademic behaviour. The University has a defined policy with respect to academic misconduct. As a Laurier student you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with this policy and the accompanying penalty guidelines, some of which may appear on your transcript if there is a finding of misconduct. The relevant policy can be found at Laurier's academic integrity website along with resources to educate and support you in upholding a culture of integrity. Ignorance is not a defense. 5. Classroom Use of Electronic Devices: State your classroom practice and any consequences for student failure to comply – see Policy 9.3 (Approved by Senate March 8, 2012). 6. Late Assignment Policy: Specify any penalties that will be assessed when deadlines for the completion of course components are not met (Approved by Senate May 23, 2012). Refer to the Handbook on Undergraduate Course Management for more information. 7. Final Examinations: Students are strongly urged not to make any commitments (i.e., vacation) during the examination period. Students are required to be available for examinations during the examination periods of all terms in which they register. Refer to the Handbook on Undergraduate Course Management for more information. 8. Course schedule, methodology, assessments, lab attendance and exam policies have been planned based on current public health guidelines. Should these guidelines change, adjustments will be communicated to students 9. Foot Patrol, the Wellness Centre, and the Student Food Bank: The University approved the inclusion of information about select wellness and safety services and supports on campus in the course information provided to students. (Approved by Senate November 28, 2011.) Specific language (by campus) is provided below.

Multi-campus Resource: • Good2Talk is a postsecondary school helpline that provides free, professional and confidential counselling support for students in Ontario. Call 1-866-925-5454 or

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through 2-1-1. Available 24-7.

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Kitchener/Waterloo Resources: • Waterloo Student Food Bank: All students are eligible to use this service to ensure they’re eating healthy when overwhelmed, stressed or financially strained. Anonymously request a package online 24-7. All dietary restrictions accommodated. • Waterloo Foot Patrol: 519.886.FOOT (3668). A volunteer operated safe-walk program, available Fall and Winter daily from 6:30 pm to 3 am. Teams of two are assigned to escort students to and from campus by foot or by van. • Waterloo Student Wellness Centre: 519-884-0710, x3146. The Centre supports the physical, emotional, and mental health needs of students. Located on the 2nd floor of the Student Services Building, booked and same-day appointments are available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 am to 4:15 pm. Contact the Centre at x3146, [email protected] or @LaurierWellness. After hours crisis support available 24/7. Call 1-844-437-3247 (HERE247)....