Courses

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.