SO432, Geographical Information Systems

Exam 2, Fall 2004

Definitions    10 @  3        30   ___________

Short answer    3 @ 10        30   ___________

Longer answer   2 @ 20        40   ___________

Total                        100   ___________

Read the directions carefully.  You have a selection of questions for all parts of the exam.  Carefully select which questions you will answer, and only answer the correct number of questions.

Quality of your answers is important.   For full credit you should use correct terminology, and show that you understand the concepts involved.

Definitions:  define 10 of these terms with a concise sentence that clearly shows your understanding of the term:  Each is worth three points.

1. ETOPO5
2. generalization
3. GUI
4. Metonic cycle:
5. LIDAR
6. Temporal resolution:
7. soft-copy
8. SRTM-30 
9. stereo imagery
10. MLLW
11. Topology
12. WIMP

 Answer 3 of the following 5 short answer questions.  Each is worth 10 points.

1. What are the major steps required to create a digital vector data set with the roads from a paper AAA road map?
2. Why does NGA use Lat/long for all of its digital data, including DEMs?
3. The map below is not very geographically correct.  Would it be better to use a real projection like the Mercator to display the information?
4. Why does making maps required a skilled cartographer, and does GIS remove the need for those skills?
5. Compare the advantages of a TIN or a gridded DEM.

Answer 2 of the following 3 Longer answer questions.  

Each is worth 20 points, and you should have a sufficiently detailed answer to show you understand the important points.

1. Why would a vector data set with roads, streams, and other layers be a better choice than a raster data set created by scanning a paper map which has all the same data?  Would the raster choice ever be better?
2. In your first assignment after graduation, you find yourself dealing with spy satellite data to plan operations.  The first data arrives, and the image is largely red.  Despite good detail in the image, your boss is ready to wring your neck because the data looks worthless to him because of the color.  Can you explain what might account for the false color in the imagery, and whether it could actually help you accomplish your mission?
3. We have talked about both vertical and horizontal datums, and datum shifts.  Differentiate the two and explain why users in the real world have to care about what seems like very theoretical aspects of geodesy?