Courses

Principles of spatial and digital literacy applied to the geographic context of our contemporary world. In this course, students will discover the importance of place, spatial data collection, assessment of spatial patterns and principles of scale. Students will gain an understanding of the nature of geospatial data, and explore geospatial technologies such as GPS, mobile maps, satellite data and GIS. Students will discover digital cartography principles and spatial analysis techniques. Students will learn about applications of citizen science, digital humanitarianism and responding to humanitarian needs and crises through geospatial technologies.

Students are invited into understanding and using quantitative and computational inquiry to understand and discern computer-based spatial analysis as a mode of inquiry. Students develop confidence in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and accompanying computer- based, spatial analytical tools to model geographic problems using mathematical and computing notation. Students are provided with the opportunity to investigate the theory and practical utility of GIS through collecting empirical spatial data, analyzing quantitative data, conducting computational spatial analyses to answer meaningful geographic and environmental questions, making judgements based on quantitative information derived from these analyses, and communicating the results with purposeful, multi-audience cartographic products.

Geography is an integrative spatial science that attempts to explain and predict the spatial distributions and variation of human activity and physical features on the Earth's surface. Geographers and Environmental scientists greatly benefit from the use of quantitative and computational analyses to help answer where, why and what-to-do questions. Geographers might explore such questions as: what type of municipal transportation policy might best achieve more equitable access for urban residents to city services and facilities? Environmental scientists might ask: what sort of land use decisions are required to balance sustainable economic development with protection of wetlands in a fragile ecosystem? Students are invited into understanding and using statistical analysis as a means to develop a quantitative and computational inquiry.

An introduction to the underlying principles and methods of 3D modeling within ArcGIS 3D Analyst. It provides experience with 3DE tools as well as opportunities for practical, real-life applications through a series of examples and exercises, which include: constructing the 3D environment/ landscape, analyzing spatial data, and creating outputs (e.g., 3D maps), based on real-life modeling examples such as urban landscapes, parks, business locations, and housing.