GEOG 850 - Location Intelligence for Business
This is a sample syllabus.
This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.
Overview
In business, the application of maps and mapping technology ranges from a long-standing presence (commercial real estate, retail, and logistics) to nascent analytical applications across different industries. The momentum for commercial applications that encompass GIS, geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) technologies, and geospatial intelligence analysis is growing. In businesses, geospatial attributes are being combined with enterprise-wide databases. GIS and GEOINT tools and methodologies can now be folded into the more mainstream information technology (IT) applications of business intelligence (BI) to formulate location intelligence (LI) applications, products, and services. This course explores and applies the key geospatial intelligence principles involved in site selection, market analysis, risk and crisis management, and logistics, providing opportunities for students to solve those problems with contemporary geospatial tools and datasets. This course provides a foundation for spatial thinking and analysis in commercial settings, and experience with contemporary mapping and analysis tools for professional applications of location intelligence.
Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- explain common business activities and the geospatial intelligence concepts, technologies, and analysis methods involved in addressing them;
- describe examples of location intelligence applications used in business;
- analyze different types of geographical data and show how spatial and aspatial data can be integrated for problem solving scenarios;
- design geospatial intelligence applications for not-for-profit and government sectors; and
- compose professional communications for written and spoken presentation of analytical findings.
Required Materials
The materials listed here represent those that may be included in this course. Students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.
Geography: Why it Matters, Murphy, Alexander, Cambridge, UK ; Medford, MA: Polity Press, 2018. ISBN: 9781509523016 .
Prerequisites
None
Expectations
We have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is dependent on your attitude, diligence, and willingness to ask for clarifications or help when you need them. We are here to help you succeed. Please keep up with the class schedule and take advantage of opportunities to communicate with us and with your fellow students. You can expect to spend an average of 12 – 15 hours per week on class work.
Major Assignments
Students earn grades that reflect the extent to which they achieve the learning objectives listed above. Opportunities to demonstrate learning include the following, and grades will be based on percentages assigned to each of several components of the course as follows:
- 3 quizzes (15% of total course grade)
- 5 lesson activities (20% of course grade)
- 8 discussions (35% of total course grade)
- Term Project (30% of total course grade)
Course Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assignment |
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| 1 | Introduction to Location Intelligence |
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| 2 | Business Modeling and Market Segmentation |
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| 3 | GIS and Geospatial Analytical Modeling |
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| 4 | Competitive Factors in Business |
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| 5 | Risk Assessment Factors |
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| 6 | Risk Assessment Case Study |
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| 7 | Sector Applications of Location Intelligence, Part 1 |
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| 8 | Sector Applications of Location Intelligence, Part 2 |
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| 9 | Emerging Trends and Technology |
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| 10 | Term Project |
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