2012-2013 Academic Catalog

May 11, 2024

2012-2013 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

IDCE 392 - GIS & Accuracy Assessment

This course investigates methods of quantitative analysis that are typically used in accuracy assessment and map comparison. The course focuses on the mathematical foundations of the general methods, while each technique is illustrated with data such as vegetation indices, land covers, and biodiversity potentials. We examine the advantages, disadvantages, and interpretations of the most common metrics such as Producer’s Accuracy, User’s Accuracy, Kappa, Pierce Skill Score, Figure of Merit, Relative Operating Characteristic, Mean Absolute Error, and Root Mean Square Error. We analyze a philosophy of map comparison that focuses on components of agreement and disagreement between maps. There are lectures in a classroom and computer exercises in a laboratory. Class discussions focus on proper use of these metrics in the context of landscape modeling for the sake of management of land, water, and carbon dioxide. This course has a Formal Analysis designation.

Prerequisites: The prerequisite is GEOG 190 - Introduction to Geographic Information Science and high school level algebra.