APPLIED GEOSTATISTICS

Instructor: Ling Bian Geog 597 Spring 2020 (3 credit hours)
Office: 301A Wilkeson Quad
Office Hours: T R 2:00-3pm or by appts
T R 12:30:00-1:50pm
144 Wilkeson
                        

Purposes
The course is intended to introduce the basic concepts and applications of applied geostatistics, which addresses optimal spatial interpolation. Geostatistics are considered to be one of the most sophisticated spatial interpolation methods. The method is commonly used in many disciplines such as geology, engineering, hydrology, geography, ecology, urban studies, and medical geography. Geostatistics are closely related to statistics and GIS. Students with basic knowledge of statistics or GIS can take a step further to learn how to use geostatistics. The course emphasizes the applied side of geostatistics, and the method can be useful in students' immediate and future needs such as students' own theses and dissertations, or projects for their current or potential employers.

The course uses a well received textbook for the lectures and a popular GIS software package ArcGIS for the lab exercises. Three lab sections and several bi-weekly assignments will provide students with hands-on experience in using the geostatistical tool.

Texts
An Introduction to Applied Geostatistics. Oxford University Press, New York, by Isaaks, Edward.H., and R.Mohan. Srivastava, 1989.

Prerequisites
The course is open to both graduate students who have knowledge of univariate statistics.

Requirements
During the semester, each student should apply the geostatistical interpolation to a data set and present the result.
 
Assignments

% Grade

Lab 1

10%  

Lab 2 10%
Lab  3 10% 
Project Report 70% 
Total  100% 

Grade Cutoff

Tentative Schedule
1/28        Introduction
1/30        Spatial interpolation
2/04        Spatial desscription
2/06        Spatial description
2/11        Spatial continuity
2/13        Estimation  
2/18        Random function models
2/20        Random function models
2/25        Lab section 1
2/27        Global estimation
3/03        Point estimate       
3/05        Ordinary kriging
3/10        Ordinary kriging
3/12        Ordinary kriging
Spring Break
3/24        Block kriging and Search strategy
3/26        Cross validation
3/31        Modeling sample variogram
4/02        Modeling sample variogram
4/14        Lab section 2
4/16        Lab section 3
4/21        Co-kriging
4/23        Co-kriging
4/28        Class presentations
4/30        Class presentations
5/05        Class presentations
5/07        Conclusions

Final paper due:

Recommended Data Sources
http://cugir.mannlib.cornell.edu/
http://gis.ny.gov
http://nationalmap.gov/viewer.html
http://datagateway.nrcs.usda.gov/
http://data.buffalony.gov

Map Library
Map Collection curator: Kim Plassche, kf43@buffalo.edu
Map Librarian: Dave Bertuca dbertuca@buffalo.edu

Academic Integrity Policies
Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy: 
https://catalog.buffalo.edu/policies/academic_integrity_2019-20.html
Graduate Academic Integrity Policy:
https://grad.buffalo.edu/succeed/current-students/policy-library.html#academic-integrity

Critical Campus Resources
Accessibility Resources
http://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/who-we-are/departments/accessibility.html

Sexual Violence
Title IX Coordinator, 716-645-2266
Crisis Services Campus Advocate, 716-796-4399

Mental Health
Counseling Services:

120 Richmond Quad (North Campus), 716-645-2720
202 Michael Hall (South Campus), 716-829-5800

Health Services:
Michael Hall (South Campus), 716-829-3316

Health Promotion:
114 Student Union (North Campus), 716-645-2837


 

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