ENV (0125) 520 - Environmental Geographic Systems

Credits: 4.00

Students will gain a solid foundation in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with an emphasis on hands-on training, methods, and project development. Students will learn to use GIS to create maps, edit spatial data, and perform basic spatial analytical techniques applicable to a wide variety of fields.

Free Note: Students must register for both lecture and lab.

Course Learning Goals: Upon the completion of the course, students will have developed a solid competency in the theory and application of geographic information science, as well as GIS project management, which will prepare the student for more advanced work.

Through guided exercises, a research paper, and a final presentation, students will be able to:
1. Identify sources of data and assess that data in terms of its usefulness, accuracy, and potential.
2. Identify appropriate uses of GIS methodologies and analytical techniques.
3. Explain the components and functions of GIS, in both practical and conceptual terms.
4. Describe the characteristics of spatial data and spatial data representation.
5. Apply appropriate GIS and spatial analysis to analyze and solve basic spatial problems.
6. Create cartographically sound maps that present the results of data manipulation and analysis.
7. Edit and create geospatial data.
8. Plan and complete small GIS based research projects.