GEOG 865 - Cloud and Server GIS
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
Geography 865 is an elective course in Penn State's geospatial master's degree programs. This course teaches students to use cloud and server GIS resources to solve problems for which geospatial data is an integral element. We will investigate all the components of a cloud architecture and provision our own cloud environments. The course emphasizes hands-on exercises deploying enterprise GIS in the cloud and critical reading and writing assignments.
The course will teach you how to create a server in the cloud, install and administer GIS server software, and set up GIS services for creating maps and managing spatial data. This course will challenge you to exercise the critical thinking and technical skills needed to evaluate and develop successful cloud GIS projects. Assignments focus on helping students improve their ability to write about and execute cloud GIS projects. A final activity involves creating a working cloud and server GIS project.
Objectives
Students who complete Geog 865 will be able to:
- Explain fundamental cloud-computing concepts, service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), and deployment models in a GIS context.
- Provision cloud-based virtual machines using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to support core web and network infrastructure (firewalls, domain names, SSL).
- Administer the ArcGIS Enterprise stack, including ArcGIS Server and Portal for ArcGIS.
- Publish GIS data via map, feature, and tiled services.
- Build interactive, web-based GIS applications that support visualization and feature editing.
- Optimize GIS server performance with map service settings, site usage statistics, and cloud storage options.
- Automate the deployment of cloud and GIS resources using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and AWS CloudFormation.
- Critique the capabilities of SaaS GIS platforms (e.g., Mapbox, CARTO, and ArcGIS Online) and open geospatial standards (e.g., WMS, WFS, and OGC APIs).
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.
We will use a variety of free online readings in this course.
Several lessons in this course utilize Amazon Web Services (AWS). Students are required to create regular accounts at AWS and pay any costs directly. These charges should be less than $50 for the semester, depending on usage.
Prerequisites
None
Expectations
Like any graduate-level course, you will be challenged to move beyond the knowledge and skills that you bring to the class. You can expect to be busy; as a rough estimate, you should allow 10–12 hours per week for class assignments. Included in the 10–12 hours each week is time to complete projects and related activities. You'll be glad to know that you don't have to show up for class at a certain time! All you need to do is complete assignments before the published deadlines each week.
During the term, I encourage everyone to use the class message boards, chat rooms, or email to help each other find relevant materials, learn about interesting GIS designs/implementations, and exchange ideas about your proposals. I can always be contacted via class e-mail and will check my account daily during the week (and typically at least once each weekend). If I am traveling, I may check somewhat less frequently, but I will alert you of this beforehand.
My colleagues and I have worked hard to make this the most effective and convenient educational experience possible. How much and how well you learn is ultimately up to you. You will succeed if you are diligent about keeping up with the class schedule and if you take advantage of opportunities to communicate with me, as well as with your fellow students.
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:
Class participation (25% of total course grade)
Individual participation via online discussion forums. Students will be encouraged to post questions and answer each other's questions on the online forums.
Weekly Assignments (50% of your total course grade)
Each week, you will have an assignment involving cloud and server GIS.
Final Project (25% of your total course grade)
The term project for this course involves making a cloud and server GIS application of your own devising.
Course Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lesson 0: Orientation | Personal Introductions |
| 1 | Lesson 1: Cloud Computing | Discussion Assignment |
| 2 | Lesson 2: Servers | Discussion Assignment |
| 3 | Lesson 3: GIS Servers | Discussion Assignment |
| 4 | Lesson 4: Data and Editing | Discussion Assignment |
| 5 | Lesson 5: Tiled Map Services | Assignment Final Project Task |
| 6 | Lesson 6: GIS Server Administration | Discussion Assignment Final Project Task |
| 7 | Lesson 7: Automated Installation with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) | Discussion Assignment Final Project Task |
| 8 | Lesson 8: Software as a Service (SaaS) | Discussion Assignment Final Project Task |
| 9 | Lesson 9: Open Data Standards | Discussion Final Project Task |
| 10 | Lesson 10: Final Project | Final Project write-up, video presentation, and peer review |