syllabus

🤝 Collaborative Project (Cross-Module)

Project Duration: October 24 - December 10, 2025
CPA1 Due: Thursday, November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST
CPA2 Due: Tuesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST (Course End)
Status: ✅ All materials released

📊 View Project Status 💬 Team Discussions ❓ Q&A

Overview

The Collaborative Project is a semester-long team assignment where you apply skills learned across multiple modules to a real-world GIS problem of your team’s choosing. Working in teams of 3-4 students, you’ll scope a project, plan its implementation, and deliver a complete solution using open source GIS tools.

This project runs concurrently with course modules, allowing you to integrate newly learned skills as you progress. You’ll practice professional collaboration using Git and GitHub, experience distributed teamwork, and build something substantial for your portfolio.

Why This Matters: Real GIS work happens in teams. This project develops collaboration skills, version control practices, and project management abilities that employers value as much as technical skills.

🎯 Learning Objectives

By completing the Collaborative Project, you will be able to:

  1. Work effectively in distributed teams using Git and GitHub
  2. Scope and plan a realistic GIS project within time constraints
  3. Integrate multiple technologies learned across course modules
  4. Document collaborative work and individual contributions
  5. Communicate technical decisions and project outcomes
  6. Navigate merge conflicts and team coordination challenges

👥 Team Structure

32 students organized into 8 teams (3-4 students each):

Team Assignments: See D2L for your team assignment and repository link.

📚 Project Deliverables

CPA1: Project Proposal (20 points)

Due: Thursday, November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST
Duration: ~6-8 hours per team member
Submit via: D2L Assignment Folder

Develop a comprehensive project proposal including:

Deliverable: Repository with PROJECT_PROPOSAL.md, TECHNICAL_PLAN.md, TIMELINE.md, and ROLES.md

CPA2: Final Project Implementation (40 points)

Due: Tuesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST (Course End)
Duration: ~20-25 hours per team member
Submit via: D2L Assignment Folder

Complete project implementation with:

Deliverable: Complete repository with working code, documentation, and final report

💡 Project Ideas

Teams may choose from (or propose alternatives):

Spatial Analysis Tool

Build a Python package for specific GIS analysis (e.g., habitat connectivity analysis, optimized routing, climate data processing)

Web Mapping Application

Create an interactive web map showcasing spatial data (e.g., community resources, environmental monitoring, historical maps)

Data Pipeline

Develop an automated workflow for processing spatial data (e.g., satellite imagery classification, geocoding service, data aggregation)

QGIS Plugin

Create an extension adding functionality to QGIS (e.g., custom analysis tool, data import/export enhancement)

PostGIS Database Project

Design and implement a spatial database for complex queries (e.g., public transit analysis, property management system)

Open Source Contribution

Enhance an existing open source GIS project (e.g., bug fixes, feature additions, documentation improvements)

Requirement: Project must integrate skills from at least 2 course modules (e.g., Python + Web GIS, QGIS + PostGIS).

📅 Project Timeline

Phase Dates Activities Deliverable
Formation Oct 24-27 Teams assigned, repositories created, initial coordination -
Planning Oct 28 - Nov 7 Proposal development, scope definition, task breakdown CPA1 (Nov 7)
Sprint 1 Nov 8-23 Core development, applying Module 3-5 skills -
Sprint 2 Nov 24 - Dec 9 Feature completion, testing, documentation -
Submission Dec 10 Final implementation, report, presentation materials CPA2 (Dec 10)

🔧 Technical Requirements

Repository Structure

Version Control

Documentation

🗓️ Suggested Weekly Schedule

Week 1 (Oct 24-27): Team formation, brainstorming, repository setup
Week 2 (Oct 28 - Nov 3): Proposal drafting, technical planning
Week 3 (Nov 4-10): Submit CPA1, begin implementation
Week 4 (Nov 11-17): Core development sprint
Week 5 (Nov 18-24): Feature development continues
Week 6 (Nov 25 - Dec 1): Testing, documentation, refinement
Week 7 (Dec 2-10): Final polish, submit CPA2

💡 Tips for Success

  1. Communicate Early and Often: Use GitHub Discussions, Discord, or email to stay coordinated
  2. Start with MVP: Build minimum viable product first, add features incrementally
  3. Use Branching: Avoid merge conflicts by working on separate branches
  4. Document as You Go: Don’t leave documentation to the last minute
  5. Test Regularly: Ensure everyone can run the project on their machine/Codespace
  6. Show Individual Work: Commit your own work with your GitHub account
  7. Ask for Help: Post questions in Collaborative Project Q&A
  8. Plan for Reality: Life happens—build buffer time into your timeline

📞 Getting Help

✅ Project Checklist

CPA1: Proposal (Due Nov 7)

CPA2: Implementation (Due Dec 10)

CPA1 Due: Thursday, November 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST
CPA2 Due: Tuesday, December 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM MST

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