INSTRUCTOR:
Donald Williams
Email:  Donald.Williams@usm.edu

Course Objectives:
As a result of this course, students will (1) understand the position and role of a geographic information system (GIS) in public and private organizations; (2) become familiar with the major tasks involved in managing a geographic information system, including (a) strategic and implementation planning; (b) procurement of computer hardware and software, data, and services; (c) budgeting for GIS operation and maintenance; (d) managing GIS personnel; and (e) managing GIS tasks; and (3) become familiar with legal issues in GIS.

Student Audience:
The course is intended for resident upper division undergraduate students who are seeking a career in GIS and remote sensing.  It is also intended to meet needs of GIS and remote sensing practitioners seeking to improve their knowledge of management issues in the field.

Texts:
Readings will be assigned from the following texts, which are available from the USM textbook service or may be purchased from other sources:

Huxhold, William E., and Allan G. Levinsohn. 1995. Managing Geographic Information System Projects.  New York: Oxford University Press.

Obermeyer, Nancy J., and Jeffrey K. Pinto. 1994. Managing Geographic Information Systems. New York: Guilford Press.

Additional readings will be assigned from appropriate journals.  These readings will be online and will be downloaded by the student for course use.

Participation:
The instructor will discuss all matters related to the course with students via Newsgroup. Newsgroup is an ongoing forum discussion in which students will be
expected to participate. This discussion will involve all students and the instructor.  Assignments will be submitted via course email.

Methods of Evaluation:
1.  Written reports responding to study questions relating to assigned reading.  40 percent of grade.
2.  Exercises. 40 percent of grade.
     Benefit-cost analysis of a GIS in an organization.
     Preparation of a Request for Proposal.
     Preparation of a job description for an advertisement.
     Preparation of an operating budget.
3.  Timed development of a work plan to perform a GIS task.  20 percent of grade.

All students must present their work in the course web site as a means of promoting the exchange of information.  Directions for submitting the presentation will be provided to enrolled students.

Grading Scale:
91-100% = A; 81-90% = B; 71-80% = C; 61-70% = D; 60% or less = F.

Course Outline:
1. Role of GIS in an organization.
   A. Government
   B. Private organizations
2. The GIS Life Cycle
   A. Deciding to establish a GIS
   B. Benefits and costs of establishing a GIS
   C. Soliciting proposals
   D. Evaluating proposals
   E. Contracting for a system
   F. Installing the system
   G. Maintaining the system
3. Personnel
   A. Qualifications and certification
   B. Requirements and working conditions: EOE, AA, ADA, OSHA
4. Budget
   A. Budget systems: traditional, zero-based budgeting, planning and programming budgeting
   B. Elements of a GIS budget
5. Managing a GIS project
   A. Identifying tasks
   B. Scheduling tasks
   C. Maintaining work and metadata records
6. Legal issues
   A. Liability
   B. Data distribution, including public access

Policies:
Students enrolled in online courses are expected to observe the same strict codes of academic honesty required of students in the classroom.  Failure to do so can result in various penalties ranging from resubmission of assignment(s) or re-examination to the immediate expulsion or failure of the course.  Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to, submitting another’s work as your own, using a solutions manual, cheating on examinations, and plagiarizing in any way.

Additional requirements:
Hardware:
Click  here to review CICE recommendations for minimum computer requirements for on-line courses.

Office for Disability Accommodations
If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires accommodations, he/she should contact the Office of Support
Services for Students with Disabilities (OSS) for information on appropriate policies and procedures; Box 8586; Tel: 266-5024; TTY: 266-6837; Fax 266-6035.