Professor Thrall, Business Geography GIS at Univ Florida

GEOGRAPHY GEO/GIS 3602
Urban and Business Geography
last revision: 17 November 2009

Important Notice: this course will be retitled to GIS For Business and Marketing Geography

Department of Geography,
University of Florida
Fall Term 2009 -- Section 0905

Class times:
    Tues period 5&6
11:45-12:35; 12:50-1:40
  
    Thurs period 6
12:50-1:40

Location: 3012 Turlington Hall

Grant Ian Thrall, Professor  thrall@ufl.edu

Office Hours: 
I am always available by email and on campus Tues & Thurs. It is best to schedule an appointment if you want to visit me in my office. Click here for more information 
   
Office: 3121 Turlington Hall

URL: www.clas.ufl.edu/users/thrall/

tel: 1-352-392-0494 ext 205
E-mail: thrall@geog.ufl.edu

Summary:

Business Geography integrates geographic analysis, reasoning, and technology for the improvement of the business judgmental decision. Without the demonstrated ability to improve the business decision, there is no business geography. (Thrall, 2002).

This course introduces the student to the geospatial technology component of business geography. Students learn a GIS software program with examples from land economics, real estate, marketing, management, and other business disciplines. The course covers the major GIS operations and functions and geospatial data. Exercises demonstrate the  importance of GIS to management, business decisions, research, and public policy analysis.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites for this course. However, it is recommended that students first complete Introduction to Business Geography or its equivalent.

Program:

Business Geography Certificate:

The Certificate In Business Geography is received by completing the sequence of three Business Geography courses (Geo2xxx, GIS3xxx, GIS4xxx), one additional course in the Department of Geography, and either quantitative methods Geo3162C or its equivalent in another department,. See http://www.geog.ufl.edu/undergrad/certificates-businessgeography.html

Bachelor of Arts In Business Administration With Specialty In Business and Marketing Geography

Students enrolled in the College of Business, in addition to receiving the Certificate in Business Geography qualify for the Bachelor of Arts In Business Administration With Specialty In Business and Marketing Geography. See http://www.cba.ufl.edu/sb/docs/baba/CLAS_BusinessMktGeography.pdf 

COURSE CONTENT:

Week   Topics

1.       Introduction and Overview of GIS

2. Seeking and Evaluating Marketing Opportunities (Urban Built and Non Urban Environments)

3. Working With Community Tapestry Lifestyle Segmentation Profile Data

4. Developing a Targeted Promotional Campaign

5. Planning a Merchandising Strategy

6. Developing an Integrated Marketing Communication Program

7. Developing an Integrated Marketing Communication Program

8. Prospect Profiling

9. Prospect Profiling

10. International Market Assessment and Expansion

11. Marketing the Environment and Ecotourism

12. Retail Site Selection

13. Retail Site Selection

14. Managing Sales Territories

15. Managing Sales Territories

Readings

Fred Miller, GIS Tutorial for Marketing (Spiral-bound)

Maptitude from Caliper Corporation. Contact Stewart Berry

1. Introduction and Overview of GIS and GIS Data

2. Seeking and Evaluating Marketing Opportunities (Urban Built and Non Urban Environments)

    • Miller, Chapter 2

3. Working With Community Tapestry Lifestyle Segmentation Profile Data

3. Developing a Targeted Promotional Campaign

4. 5. Planning a Merchandising Strategy

    • Miller, Chapter 5

6. 7. Developing an Integrated Marketing Communication Program

    • Miller, Chapter 6

8. 9 Prospect Profiling

    • Miller, Chapter 7

10. International Market Assessment and Expansion

    • Miller, Chapter 7

11. Marketing the Environment and Ecotourism

    • Miller, Chapter 7

12. 13.  Retail Site Selection

    • Miller, Chapter 8

14. 15. Managing Sales Territories

    • Miller, Chapter 9

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE ADMINISTRATION

    • Grading
        • 1st Midterm Exam 30%
        • 2nd Midterm Exam 30%
        • Exercises 40% (due in class during 1st and 2nd midterm exam)
          * Satisfies "Gordon Rule" - see below

Gordon Rule Information - see http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/advisinggordon.html

Additional grading component for Gordon Rule writing requirement

Effective Summer A/C 2009, an additional grading component has been added to successfully complete and receive word credit for courses that meet the university writing requirement (Gordon Rule).

Your course grade now will have two components. Your professor will indicate whether or not you met the writing requirement AND assign you a grade. Therefore, to receive writing credit you must receive a grade of C or higher and a satisfactory completion of the writing component. It is possible not to meet the writing requirement and still pass the class. Review your degree audit after you receive your grades to see if you obtained credit for the writing component.

Complete university writing requirement policy

Please direct your questions to your professors, academic advisers or to the Registrar???s Office at 392-1374, extension 7237.

    • Computer
      Students are expected to have access to their own laptop computer. A laptop that has a large hard drive and adequate for high performance gaming is best for the GIS software. Miller’s book includes a CD-ROM with ArcMap 9.x and data required for the exercises.
      • Students will install ArcMap 9.x on their own computer, a copy of the data on their own computer, and access data from the Internet.
      • Students will install Maptitude on their own computer, a copy of the data on their own computer, and access data from the Internet.
    • Exams And Exercises
      The exams will be comprised of two parts. Part I is closed book, machine graded multiple choice and true-false. Part II is open book and requires use of your laptop computer, ArcMap 9.x, and Maptitude.
    • A grade of zero (0) will be recorded on any exam that is missed unless there is a note from a medical doctor excusing the student for medical reasons. The exams will be based upon lecture, required readings, and exercises.
    • Gordon Rule
    • Each chapter in Miller’s book is accompanied by GIS data analysis assignments. Students will create a PowerPoint file of completed workbook exercises. Directions will be given in class.
    • Assignments using Maptitude will be given. Students will create a PowerPoint file of completed assignments. Directions will be given in class..
    • Class behavior
      Professional ideas and information are ex-changed most effectively in an atmosphere free of abuse or harassment and characterized by courtesy and respect. To that end, the all individuals who attend classes are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that establishes an atmosphere free from discriminatory practices, and not disruptive of the exchange of professional ideas and information. Use and ringing of cellular devices including telephones and pagers are disruptive and prohibited. Access to email and websites other than those directed by the instructor during class is prohibited. Any deviations from this including class disruptions will result in the reduction of your letter grade by one full grade for each occurrence. Professor Thrall is the sole judge of disruptive behavior.