GIS courses are offered in a variety of departments
with focus on both basic theory and various applications.
In addition to the courses below, the faculty have
proposed recently an Undergraduate Certificate
Program in Geographic Information Systems.
Anthropology 1540 Introduction to Geographic
Information Systems
Instructor: Alan McPherron
The theory and application
of geographic information systems (GIS) to projects
in anthropology and
archeology.
CEE 2602 Geographic Information Systems for
Civil and Environmental Engineers
The theory and application of geographic information
systems (GIS) to projects in civil and environmental
engineering.
Computer Science 3650 Visual Languages and Programming
Instructor: S. K. Chang
Fundamentals of formal
language theory, iconic and symbolic representations,
formal theory of
iconic systems, icon operators, icon semantics,
icon-oriented system compiler for visual interface
design, computer graphics and visual programming
in the future.
Geology 1445: GIS and GPS Methods
The goal of this course is to gain expertise
in Arc/Info GIS, UNIX based workstations and
introduce the student to global positioning satellite
theory and field methods. No previous computer
classes are required. Global positioning satellites
are an important new tool in the geodetic and
earth sciences. Field surveys will be completed
using hand-held GPS units and results imported
and plotted using Arc/Info and Arc/View. Students
will be introduced to the GIS data coverage model
of Arc/Info and complete an extensive series
of assignments using UNIX computer workstations
and GIS digital data. Some of the more than 300
gigabytes of digital data from the Department
of Geology and Planetary Science will be incorporated
into the course.
Geology 1460: Remote Sensing of the Earth
Instructor: Dr. Kathi Beratan
Digital datasets from aircraft and satellite
platforms provide a powerful tool for regional-scale
studies in geographically-oriented fields such
as geology, environmental science, archaeology,
and city and regional planning. The results of
image analysis can readily be incorporated into
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases.
This course will present the basic principles
underlying image-based remote sensing data acquisition,
processing and interpretation, and practical
guidelines for appropriate application of the
technology. Laboratory exercises will provide
hands-on experience with diverse data types and
with computational processing and analysis software.
This course is open both to graduate students
and upper-level undergraduates.
Geology 2446: Advanced Geographical Information
Systems using ORACLE and Arc/Info and Geology
2447: Introduction to GIS using Arc/View and
Advanced Arc/View Programming
Instructor: William Harbert
The goal of these courses is to introduce the
student to the Arc/View geographical information
system interface designed by Environmental Systems
Research Institute, Inc. The beginning portion
of the course introduces to the student to GIS
coverages and forms. The second portion of the
course is directed towards the student mastering
the building of GIS coverages for Arc/View, their
analysis and presentation and Arc/View programming
and interface customization.
PIA 2165 Advanced
Information Technology and Public Management
Instructor: Louise Comfort
This course examines basic concepts of decision
making among interdependent organizations in
public sector arenas, using four types of advanced
information technology, geographic information
systems; interactive communication via two-way
satellite and radio transmission; intelligent
reasoning by the computer from known data to
possible courses of action in future conditions;
and networks such as the internet and the world
wide web.
PIA 2714 Geographic
Information Systems & World
Wide Web Workshop
Students will demonstrate competency in a leading
desktop Geographic Information System (GIS),
MapInfo, in conjunction with Microsoft Office
Professional software. Each student will demonstrate
her/his competency by submitting a portfolio
of homework/tutorial assignments and by making
a brief "hands-on" presentation using
MapInfo. Students will also prepare a Web presence
on which they will provide their identifying
information and linkages to their resume, program
of study (courses), and interests.
PIA 2715 Geographic Information Systems as Planning
Support Systems
Instructor: James DeAngelis
This course focuses on introducing Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) and related applications
into planning, analysis, and management environments.
While we will read and discuss conceptual materials
and examine associated case studies about Planning
Support Systems (PSS), applications of GIS in
differing environments, and human resource requirements
associated with successful GIS applications in
various organizations--this course will provide
opportunities to develop intermediate MapInfo
and Office Professional capabilities and to engage
in dialogue with people whose organizations are
using GIS. The class will develop a case study
of an application of GIS technology. Each student
will also complete a significant GIS application
that is germane to her/his program of study and
builds on the methods presented during this course's
early sessions. The expectation is that these
applications will involve building a data base,
analyzing it spatially, and making appropriate
findings, conclusions and recommendations.
PIA 2752 Linking
Urban Transportation to Economic & Community
Development
Instructor: James DeAngelis
This course examines
the traditions of urban transportation, economic
development, environmental,
and business district planning for the purpose
of understanding their practical interrelationships.
This course is particularly well suited to second
year graduate students whose interests include
city planning, transportation engineering, environmental
enhancement, economic development programming,
community organization, urban administration,
or survey research.
PIA 2790 Topics in Planning: Geographic Information
Systems as Planning Support Systems
Instructor: James P. DeAngelis
This is a graduate level course in which students
are offered a "hands-on" introduction
to Geographic Information Systems. During the
early weeks of the course competencies are developed
in a desktop GIS, MapInfo for Windows Version
3.0. But the course has a wider context: Planning
Support Systems. Key conceptual issues are discussed;
they include basic concepts and theories of spatial
analysis and information systems as well as critical
practical issues such as these technologies'
influences on decision making, planning, and
other professions. There is an attempt to consider
the tensions between scientific and artful approaches
to planned interventions. Finally, consideration
is given to associated human resource and management
issues that are often underestimated by those
who would seek to apply GIS in an action oriented
environment.
INFSCI 2720 Geographic Information Systems
An introduction to the principles, design and
use of spatial information systems. Topics
to covered include spatial data structures,
spatial data management, spatial analysis and
spatial problem solving. applications for cadastral
systems, administrative systems, transportation
problems and spatial information retrieval.