Intro to GIS and spatial data

Define and distinguish the four definitions of GIS provided by K. Clarke.

Define map conformity and equivalence, and relate these terms to the problem of map projection.

Distinguish raster from vector spatial data structures;  what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?  How difficult is it to translate data from one to another?  How does ArcView deal with each?

What is topology, in the context of GIS?

What makes a database "relational"?

Be able to interpret simple query sequences, such as from the lecture or lab work.

What are the five economic applications of GIS, as presented by Mennecke (see on-line notes, presented in class)?

How does Sherwood (Longley & Clarke, Chapter 11) define business geographics?  On page 255, Sherwood summarizes her conclusions (as of 1993) regarding relationships between university geography and potential business applications of GIS.  Think about these, and be ready to give your reaction in terms of:
     your personal experiences,
     your likely responses (how will you try to bridge the gap?), and
     your suggestions of institutional responses (what organizations might do, what policies might change) — what relationship
     do you think there should be?
 

Network Analysis

Understand the idea of summarizing a network as a graph or as a matrix.  While there's no need to memorize an A matrix from a C or L or T matrix, you should be able to take a description of what the cells of a given matrix portray, and understand what you can do with that matrix:  What do cell entries mean in terms of the network?  What happens if you power the matrix?

While it's not a big deal, you should know how to multiply two matrices.

Be able to explain conceptually how a computer can find the shortest route between two points on a defined network:  what information is required, in what format?  What logical sequence must be pursued?  (This was presented in class and in the Chou reading).
 

Intro to Marketing

Be able to present and discuss the five components of a marketing strategy.

Distinguish direct, mass, targeted, and database marketing.  Under what sorts of circumstances is which appropriate?  What is a potential utility of GIS in each?

Describe at least three approaches to identifying the individuals or areas for a targeted campaign.

What are some of the reasons to pursue targeted marketing?  Database marketing?

Understand the basic scenario of the lab Case One ("Background," on page 1 of the case) -- who's trying to do what, using GIS?  Understand how each of the major GIS steps (geocoding, routing, analyzing frequency of SIC codes in the database, buffering, and querying addresses within the buffer) relates to a step in logistics or marketing.