GIS Capstone

GISC 1391 70619 Lec 001: Independent Study

GISC 2164 83893 Pra 001: Internship

GISC 2280 70624 Lec 001: Work Study

Class Meeting Times

While there are no regularly scheduled classes during the semester, we will have a mandatory Kick-Off (KO) Meeting on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at ACC Northridge Campus, Building 3000, Room 3208. The KO Meeting takes about an hour and is an opportunity for me to set everyone's expectations for this course. We'll briefly review the syllabus and discuss possible projects for the GIS Capstone. See the Course Outline/Calendar below for more information.

About the Instructor

Sally Holl is the instructor for the GIS Capstone courses. Formerly a Geographer at the USGS Texas Water Science Center, she has 20 years’ combined experience in GIS, project management, earth sciences, and education. She has extensive GIS and software project management experience, as well as experience building partnerships for improved geospatial data collaboration, integration and access. Her professional accomplishments include leading development of a national application track $200M in Federal cooperative water funding; leading development of NWIS Snapshot Add-In for ArcGIS software to map water flows and quality; designing components of the National Atlas Streamer web application; and creating the myScience web application to increase public engagement in USGS science. She was invited to speak for the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s first visit USGS headquarters in 2013. Sally earned an M.S. from UT Austin, a B.A. from Oberlin College, and a Secondary Science Education Teaching Certificate from Cal State Fullerton.
 

Professor Holl’s contact information is as follows: 

Sally Holl, Associate Professor

ACC Northridge Campus

11928 Stonehollow Dr., Building 2, Room 2138B

phone (512) 223-4049, email sally.holl@austincc.edu

Office Hours

2:30 - 4:30 PM Tues and Wed, Northridge Campus Room 2138B, and by appointment.

Please send me an e-mail to set up an appointment at least 24 hours before you want to meet.

GIS Lab Hours

GIS software is available for you to use at the ACC Northridge Campus, Building 3000 CAD/GIS labs. The hours are as follows:

Room 3209 -

M-Thurs: 8am - 10:30pm

Saturday: 9am - 2:30pm

Room 3218 -

Friday: 8am - 6pm
Saturday: 2:30pm - 5pm
Sunday: 12pm - 5pm

These hours are subject to change. Please contact bhagerty@austincc.edu or bryant.meadors@austincc.edu for questions about the lab hours. See Brian Hagerty or Bryant Meador on the second floor of Building 3000 in the CAD administrative office to set up a GIS workstation login when you arrive.

GIS Tutor Hours

GIS Tutors begin working about 2-3 weeks after the start of each semester. They are available to help you in person or remotely via Google Hangouts. Tutor hours and locations are listed on the ACC GIS Website.

Course Description

GISC 1391 - Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledges, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency.

GISC 2164 - Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student.

GISC 2280 - Career-related activities encountered in the student's area of specialization offered through an individualized agreement among the college, employer, and student. Under the supervision of the college and the employer, the student combines classroom learning with work experience. Includes a lecture component.

Prerequisites

GEOG 2470 Introduction to GIS, GISC 1491 Introduction to Map Design and Use, GISC 2420 Intermediate GIS, and GISC 2401 Data Acquisition and Analysis in GIS.

Course Rationale/Objectives

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Capstone is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn GIS methods and theories of spatial analysis and project management and apply these skills to address real-world questions in their everyday lives and chosen careers. This course also applies toward a certificate or an Associate’s degree at Austin Community College.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will learn how to develop a meaningful question to answer and address that question by acquiring, compiling, and analyzing geospatial data  and presenting the results in an effective information display. The GIS Capstone may require fieldwork.

Students will demonstrate basic geospatial analysis and project management concepts while working with various geospatial software and hardware.

Texas Workforce Training Standards: WECM Student Learning Outcomes

The Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) is a web-based inventory of current workforce education courses and outcomes published by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board  for Texas public two-year colleges. WECM courses are created and maintained by teams of instructional specialists from Texas college with expertise in the subject areas. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Apply the theory, concepts, and skills involving specialized materials, tools, equipment, procedures, regulations, laws, and interactions within and among political, economic, environmental, social, and legal systems associated with the occupation and the business/industry;

• Demonstrate legal and ethical behavior, safety practices, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and appropriate written and verbal communication skills using the terminology of the occupation and the business/industry; and

• Learning outcomes/objectives as determined by local occupational need and business and industry trends.

Federal Workforce Training Standards

1. GTCM Student Learning Outcomes

The Geospatial Technology Competency Model (GTCM) is an industry model framework published by the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (ETA) to identify industry-specific technical competencies. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Develop conceptual, logical, and physical geospatial data models in response to user requirements and within the life cycle of a GIS project or work-flow of a GIS program;

• Identify and perform data management activities required to clean, normalize, integrate, automate, geospatially enable, and administer data;

• Select, evaluate, and document primary and secondary data according to original scale, coordinate system, precision, accuracy, completeness, currency, source, and fitness for use;

• Identify, collect, and assimilate sources of secondary data, such as: clearinghouse data, digitized data, classified data, COGO, and geocoded data into a GIS;

• Edit, query, convert, rectify, georeference, project, transform, geoprocess, validate, import, export, backup, and archive data while utilizing file and data standards and assuring quality;

• Query spatial and attribute data by location and utilizing query languages;

• Perform proximity, overlay, density, surface, 3D, network, image, and geostatistical analyses on spatial data;

• Implement a GIS project by collecting, creating, assimilating, analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting data and results that satisfy the project goal;

• Manage GIS projects utilizing a project management framework that includes documenting the project goal, scope, work breakdown structure, statement of work, defined deliverables, project summary, and project archive;

• Interpret user needs to generate GIS products with a defined purpose, target audience, and appropriate medium;

• Create data, maps, and reports with GIS-industry recognized data standards, cartographic conventions, and reporting methods;

• Practice continuing GIS education utilizing formal instruction; academic, professional, and industry publications; software documentation; online resources; peer professionals; on-the-job experiences; and professional certifications; and

• Participate in professional GIS organizations, workshops, and conferences.

2. SCANS Competencies

The Secretary Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) is a commission appointed in 1990 by the Secretary of the US Department of Labor Lynn Martin to develop a list of skills "that high-performance workplaces require and that high-performance schools should produce." By the end of this course, the student will demonstrate the following workplace competencies and foundation skills:

1. Workplace Competencies - Effective workers can productively use:

   1. Resources – They know how to allocate (C1) time, (C2) money, (C3), materials, and (C4) staff

   2. Information – They can (C5) acquire and evaluate data, (C6) organize and maintain files, (C7) interprets and communicate, and (C8) use computers to process information.

   3. Interpersonal skills – They can (C9) work on teams, (C10) teach others, (C11) serve customers, (C12) lead, (C13) negotiate, and (C14) work well with people from culturally diverse backgrounds,

   4. Systems – They (C15) understand social, organizational, and technological systems, (C16) they can monitor and correct performance; and (C17) they can design or improve systems.

   5. Technology – They can (C18) select equipment and tools, (C19) apply technology to specific tasks and (C20) maintain and troubleshoot equipment.

2. Foundation Skills - Competent workers in the high-performance workplace need:

   1. Basic Skills – (F1) reading, (F2) writing, (F3) arithmetic and (F4) mathematics, (F5) listening and (F6) speaking.

   2. Thinking skills – (F7) to think creatively, (F8) to make decisions, (F9) to solve problems, (F10) to visualize, (F11) the ability to learn, and (F12) to reason.

   3. Personal Qualities – (F13) individual responsibility, (F14) self-esteem, (F15) sociability, (F16) self-management, and (F17) integrity.

Required Texts/Materials

Readings as assigned will be available in electronic format. If given, students should come to meetings prepared to discuss the reading assignment.

Instructional Methodology

The ACC instructor will serve as a Project Principal - providing organizational framework and oversight for the student-led GIS Capstone.

The student will serve as the Project Manager - managing the project and associated deliverables. The Project Manager is expected to have the knowledge and skills required to complete a complex geospatial project with minimal oversight from the Project Principal.

Course Evaluation/Grading System

Grading components are based on the successful and timely completion of the attached forms, resume, statement of work, competency exam, peer presentation, and project summary report.

The final grade is based on a total of 100% and the following grade scale:

Forms

Students enrolled in GISC 2164 Internship or GISC 2280 Work Study must ensure that the attached GIS Academic Internship Agreement, Initial GIS Capstone Meeting Form, and Student Evaluation Form are executed before completing the GIS Capstone.

Resume

Your resume is the way to market yourself for the job that you want in the GIS industry. It should summarize your professional story while emphasizing your strengths. Students will complete a one-page resume summarizing their educational and professional history.

Statement of Work

A Statement of Work (SOW) is a useful tool for describing your project and supporting analysis. As defined in Project Management Terms by J. LeRoy Ward, it is “a narrative description of products or services to be supplied under contract that states the specifications or other minimum requirements; quantities; performance dates, times, and locations, if applicable; and quality requirements. [It serves] as the baseline against which the progress and subsequent contractual changes are measured during contract performance.” Students will complete a SOW to be used as the basis of their GIS Capstone Internship.

Competency Exam

Any student taking a GIS Capstone course is required to take a competency exam measuring their knowledge and skills relative to the GIS award they are seeking. The GIS Level I Certificate Exam consists of 75 questions. Students will be provided with a practice exam prior to taking the competency exam. Tests are structured to measure and reinforce overall comprehension.

Presentation

The highlight of the GIS Capstone course is presenting your project to peer professionals. The presentation represents the synthesis of the skills and knowledge acquired in pursuit of your GIS Certification or Degree. Students will present the results of their GIS Capstone Independent Study, Internship, or Work Study to their peers, professionals, and/or the public.

Project Summary Report

The Project Summary Report is the synthesis of your entire project into a single document. It includes elements from the SOW and Presentation Assignments, plus an Executive Summary, Results, and Conclusion consolidated into a single, easy to understand report.

Course Policies

Please see the following course policies regarding attendance, withdrawals, incompletes, scholastic dishonesty, students with disabilities, and academic freedom.

Attendance/Participation

The student and instructor will meet during the first week of the semester to discuss and agree upon a framework for the GIS Capstone.

Withdrawals

The last day to withdraw from this course for the Spring 2019 16-week session is April 29, 2019. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should they feel it is necessary. If a student decides to withdraw, they should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final Withdrawal Date. Students are also strongly encouraged to retain a copy of the withdrawal form for their records.

Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a course taken since Fall 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate for that course.

State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities without penalty.  With certain exceptions, all course withdrawals automatically count toward this limit. Details regarding this policy can be found in the ACC college catalog

Missed or Late Work

Any missing or late work cannot receive a grade higher than the lowest grade awarded a student who turned in the same assignment or project on time. Any assignment turned in late will be penalized 1 point per day. Any project turned in late will be penalized 2 points per day.

Incomplete

The instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student is unable to complete all of the requirements for a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Scholastic Dishonesty

A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of the college as an educational institution. Students have the responsibility to submit coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations. Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents. Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college. See the Student Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at http://www.austincc.edu/business/documents/Academicdishonestyprocess.pdf.

Students with Disabilities

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities. Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must request them through the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office at the campus where needed. Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be delayed.

Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Arrangements for academic accommodations can only be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the student.

Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at http://www.austincc.edu/sas.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

ACC Policies

The following are ACC instructional services, safety statement, concealed handgun policy, and e-mail communication and testing center policy.

Students and Instructional Services

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services. Links to many student services and other information can be found at: http://www.austincc.edu/current/.

ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in the course to be tutored. The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:  http://www.austincc.edu/support-and-services/tutoring-and-academic-help/learning-lab-services. For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

The ACC GIS Website has links to GIS software installation instructions, tutoring schedules, job postings, and more: http://austincc.edu/gis

Safety Statement

ACC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and to agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.

Please note that students are expected to conduct themselves professionally, with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s class activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times. Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223-7999. Refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://www.austincc.edu/campuscarry.
 

Use of ACC Email Communication

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account. Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail.

Testing Center Policy

Under certain circumstances, an instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center. Students using the Academic Testing Center must govern themselves according to the Student Guide for Use of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire guide before going to take the exam.  To request an exam, one must have:
 

1. ACC Photo ID

2. Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)

3. Course Number (e.g.,1301)

4. Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)

5. Course Section (e.g., 005)

6. Instructor's Name
    

Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center. Having your cell phone in the testing room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the remainder of the semester. ACC Testing Center policies can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/.  

Expectations for the GIS Capstone

Students, the employer, and ACC should all comply with the expectations for the GIS Capstone.

Student Expectations

Students enrolled in GISC 2164 Internship should already be employed with a company or agency. By the end of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate employability skills as outlined on the Student Evaluation;

• Demonstrate the academic and technical competencies of the position; and

• Maintain good communication with the ACC instructor/workplace supervisor.

The GIS Capstone is an opportunity for students to apply skills learned at ACC in the workplace or simulated workplace. The ACC instructor/workplace supervisor will supervise this work with regular evaluations in the competencies detailed in the attached Student Evaluation Form.  This will include employability competencies such as punctuality, teamwork and appropriate demeanor as well as the academic and workforce competencies such as digitizing, editing, performing spatial queries, georeferencing and/or other appropriate GIS tasks.

In rare instances, the GIS Capstone may not work out for the student or for the company or agency.  If this occurs, first talk to your ACC instructor/workplace supervisor and discuss any problems with him/her.  Often something can be worked out so that you can successfully complete your GIS Capstone within the company or agency. If you ever feel unsafe in the work environment of your GIS Capstone be sure to contact your ACC instructor immediately.  Your safety is of paramount importance at all times.

For most people, the GIS Capstone is one of the most educational and enjoyable courses you will take.  You are bridging the gap between student and employee and are embarking on your chosen career. The more you learn from your experiences and the more you can bring to the GIS Capstone, the more satisfying it will be for all parties involved.

Employer Expectations

Students enrolled in GISC 2164 Internship or GISC 2280 Work Study will be supervised by a workplace supervisor employed with a company or agency. Students enrolled in GISC 1391 Independent Study will be supervised by the ACC instructor, who will serve as the workplace supervisor. During the semester, the workplace supervisor will be expected to:
 

• Meet with the student and ACC instructor at an initial meeting and at other times during the semester if desired by any party;

• Teach the applicable employability skills as outlined in the attached Student Evaluation Form;

• Discuss the student’s performance with them and complete the attached Student Evaluation Forms at the midpoint and end of the semester; and

• Provide a safe work environment.

The student evaluations are required to successfully complete the GIS Capstone, as well as providing feedback about the student’s performance.  If any problems arise during the GIS Capstone, please contact the ACC instructor immediately so that any issues can be resolved as quickly as possible.  

Confidentiality is an important consideration for a company and an employability skill for a student.  If desired, a company can request that the student sign a non-disclosure agreement as well as any other such documents required of employees at that company.  This is usually done during the initial meeting at the beginning of the semester or at the student’s first day.

ACC Expectations

The ACC instructor will provide a general framework for the GIS Capstone as described in this course syllabus and the course outline/calendar.

During the semester, the ACC instructor will be expected to:

• Ensure the student is in a suitable, safe working environment;

• Maintain regular contact with the workplace supervisor and the student during the semester;

• Facilitate the learning process;

• Grade and provide feedback on all assignments; and

• Assign a final course grade.

This course is the capstone of ACC’s GIS program leading to a GIS Certificate or Degree.  GIS training at ACC combines both strong academic skills and workforce competencies. This emphasis on the combination of academics and workforce is unusual; most other community colleges focus primarily on workforce and most universities focus primarily on academics. This combination has the advantage of graduating well-trained GIS technicians who are able to establish satisfactory careers for themselves in this growing field.

The ACC instructor for students enrolled in GISC 2164 Internship or GISC 2280 Work Study will contact the employer and the student at the beginning of the semester to establish the parameters of the GIS Capstone, including the times and days to work and to ensure that any necessary forms are signed. The ACC instructor will also maintain the student’s grades according to the Course Evaluation/Grading System described above, including collecting the student evaluation forms the supervisor completes at the midpoint and end of the semester.

The ACC instructor for students enrolled in GISC 2164 Internship or GISC 2280 Work Study will also act as a mediator between the company and the student and, if necessary, mediate any disputes or difficulties. This function is best maintained through regular contact with both the company and the student, so that small issues may be resolved quickly to everyone’s satisfaction. The ACC instructor is responsible for helping to ensure that the GIS Capstone benefit all the parties involved.

ACC requires that the ACC instructor and the workplace supervisor’s proprietor sign the following Austin Community College GIS Academic Internship Agreement.

Course Outline/Calendar

The due dates for each of the grading component assignments are listed below.

*You and your internship supervisor or employer can mutually agree on a different time and location for your Presentation Assignment.

GIS Academic Internship Agreement
 

The purpose of this agreement is to insure a joint understanding among the undersigned on the goals and objectives of the student internship opportunity offered by __________________________________ (hereinafter referred to as the “Organization”) in conjunction with the Austin Community College (ACC) Geographic Information System (GIS) Department.

1. The Instructor agrees to guide and coordinate the Student’s educational experience to meet course objectives, to work with the Organization to ensure meaningful work experience, to collect regular feedback from the Organization and from the Student.

2. The Organization agrees to provide instruction and varied work experience related to the Student’s coursework and interests. The Organization also agrees to complete regular evaluations of Student work performance and progress, and to provide feedback to Instructor.

3. The Student agrees to abide by the rules that govern the Capstone course and program, and to perform and complete all duties and assignments decided upon by the Student, the Instructor, and the Organization, and to act with professionalism and decorum throughout the Capstone experience.

This is not a legal contract and may be terminated at the discretion of the Organization or ACC.

Initial GIS Capstone Meeting Form

The student, workplace supervisor, and ACC instructor will tentatively agree to the GIS Capstone prior to scheduling the initial GIS Capstone meeting and completing this form.

Student Evaluation Form

The workplace supervisor will submit a completed copy of this form to the GIS instructor at the midpoint and end of the semester.

Check Appropriate Box

How has the student excelled in their work?

How can the student improve in their work?

☐ Check box if you prefer that your evaluation and comments are kept confidential.

Please see the Course Requirements section for this information.

Please see the Course Requirements section for this information.

Please see the Course Requirements section for this information.