Online Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems

Introduction to Geographic Information Sciences

Introduction of the theories and applications of Geographic Information Sciences (GIS). The basic topics include definition of GIS, the history of GIS, topological data structure, data preprocessing, data manipulation and analysis, geographic modeling with GIS, and the future of GIS. The focus of this course is spatial analysis.

Analytical Computer Cartography

Analytical Computer Cartography is a course that serves as an introduction to the science and art of digital cartography, with an emphasis on the foundations and practices of thematic map production. We explore the elements of scale and measurement, Earth-map relations, map projections, and symbolization and color theory. The course then builds on those principles by concentrating on design techniques and practices for creating maps through lab assignments and interactive workshops that emphasize effective visual thinking and communication. Students will develop technological literacy via introduction to the tools and techniques of digital cartography, as well as to geospatial technologies utilized in cartography, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will also review academic literature on cartographic science in order to identify current trends in the field, and will develop a question to be answered through original data research and cartographic production.

Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics I

GEOG 5175C / 6075C is the first of a three-sequence series in which students define, examine, and perform methods commonly employed in geographic research, and where they interpret and illustrate the results of those methods. Primarily data-driven and analytic in nature, the course introduces students to spatial analysis and visualization, reinforces their knowledge of mathematics and statistical procedures, and develops their ability to understand, apply, and interpret quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. This is a course on applied statistics (rather than theoretical or mathematical). Its emphasis focuses upon learning, understanding, and exploring (1) various statistical procedures; (2) assumptions and types of data necessary for using specified methods; and (3) how these procedures and methods have been used by geographers in research. Students will also become familiar with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in GIS software.

Principles of Remote Sensing

The fundamental objective of this course is to explore basic physical principles of electromagnetic radiation; remote sensing systems;interpretation of satellite images, thermal and radar imagery; digital image analysis of multispectral satellite data, and remote sensing applications.There are two classes each week. Eachclass will focus on a lecture topic, a laboratory exercise, or a combination of both. ENVI, a robustremote sensing image processing package will be used for all labs. Lecture topics include Introduction to Remote Sensing; Electromagnetic Spectrum and Energy Interaction; Elements of Remote Sensing Images; Satellites and Sensors; Radiometric and Geometric Correction; Image enhancements, Transformations, Classifications; Classification Accuracy; Radar Remote Sensing; Urban and Geologic Remote Sensing; Vegetation and Water Remote Sensing. Laboratory exercises include: Introduction to ENVI image processing software;Image Searching and Acquisition; Image Georeferencing; Image Filters; Supervised Classification; Unsupervised Classification; and Creating Image Maps.

Intermediate GIS

This course focuses on GIS modeling and its applications to urban, economic and environmental issues. It further applies GIS theories and techniques to real-world problems. It is designed to provide a background in advanced GIS analysis programs such as Spatial Analyst, Geostatistical Analyst, and Network Analyst to develop an understanding of the operational basis of modern GIS technology.

Graduate Geography

The single most important component of a graduate program is independent research. This seminar willexamine the design of geographic research. Students will examine and critique the design of research projects as presented in articles and research proposals. Each participant will develop a research proposal on a topic of their choosing with the goal that the proposal will improve and accelerate progress toward completion of her/his graduate degree.

Introduction to landscape ecology and GIS

Landscape ecology has risen in importance as the influence of geographical processes on population dynamics, community assembly, and ecosystem functions in general have been recently recognized. Space has also been identified as a key component in conservation of species and biodiversity planning, as well as a fundamental element for understanding the ways people interact with nature. Based on these previous arguments, this course will examine the structure, and the functioning of natural and human-modified communities in a geographical context. The course will focus on spatial patterns and processes of landscapes as the framework of interacting ecological communities. The course will consider the critical role that landscape and geographical patterns play in shaping the functional interactions among species and the dynamics of ecosystems. It will also provide students with the principles and applications of landscape ecology and a firm understanding of spatial analysis techniques using GIS for the study of ecological processes. It will also include a discussion of key concepts of landscape ecology, methods, and approaches currently used to describe and understand ecological landscapes.

Crime Mapping and Analysis

Introduction of crime databases, crime mapping andspatial analysis of crime in a GIS environment.

GIS and Public Health

This course introduces geographic information sciences (GIS), public health, and the application of GIS to public health. It covers the processing, geocoding, mapping and analysis of public health data in a GIS environment. It highlights the latest spatial-temporal models dealing with public health related problems.

Fundamentals of GIS Programming

GEOG 5173C / 6073C introduces students to the basics of current GIS programming language, including data types, conditional statements, loop structures, operations, built-in functions, and methods. Students will create text files and scripts using current GIS programming language that add efficiency and functionality to desktop GIS tools and that permits automating geospatial analysis processes. In addition to GIS programming language basics and GIS modeling with that language, the course also explores GIS data access and manipulation with programming language, as well as practical programming language applications for the GIS professional. No previous programming experience is assumed, though fundamental knowledge of ArcGIS is a prerequisite. This course is designed to fit the needs of both advanced undergraduate majors and graduate students. Graduate students and undergraduates are evaluated separately. GEOG 6073C will also include an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software programming and functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.

Natural Hazards

This course introduces the causes, physical characteristics, spatial patterns, and impacts of natural hazards and disasters and examines geo-spatial technologies for prediction, assessment and management of natural hazards. It combines lectures with homework assignments. The lectures cover earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, coastal erosions, droughts, floods, and wildfires. This course examines the causes, underlying earth processes, and spatial patterns of natural hazards, and discusses and practices the methodologies and technologies used to analyzethe magnitude and frequency of natural hazards, and institutional and societal response and decision-making processes in risk reduction and avoidance.

GIS and Urban Geography

GEOG 6083C course explores contemporary principles of urban geography and how GIS applications can enhance understandings of and contribute solutions to problems of urban areas. Drawn from a more recent perspective of evolution of data related to cities, the course first examines interurban studies (systems of cities), and then proceeds to intraurban studies (internal structures of cities), where the focus rests with assessing spatial structures inside individual cities. The course uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and combines academic literature with professional practice in its case studies, laboratory assignments, and reading materials. This course is designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems and issues that urban geographers frequently encounter in professional practice, and to apply procedures while also explaining results suitable for varying audiences. This course is designed to fit the needs of both advanced undergraduate majors and graduate students. Graduate students and undergraduates are evaluated separately, with GEOG 6083C also including an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.

Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics II

GEOG 6085C is the second a three-sequence series that explores advanced statistical models that are commonly used by geographers in social science, physical science, and GIS-based applications and research. The methods explored include spatial regression, ordination, and dimensionality reduction techniques, among others. The course will cover intermediate techniques in statistics, spatial analysis, and model building, and further develops students' understanding and application of quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. Students will continue to develop their skills with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in other software. GEOG 6085C is designed to allow in-depth focus on current problems and issues that geographers frequently encounter in their professional practice and in their research, and to apply procedures while also explaining results suitable for varying audiences. GEOG 6085C will also include an advanced project, critiquing and appraising software functionality as it relates to methods explored in this course, and assessing academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.

GIS in Hydrology

This course will explore applications of Geographic Information System (GIS) in the field of hydrology. GIS provides various tools that help us to visualize the spatial patterns of landscapes and therefore help us to understand complex watershed systems and the hydrologic processes within. The main topics of the course include watershed delineation and analysis, spatial data processing, digital mapping of water resources and hydrologic modeling.

Advanced GIS & Web GIS

GEOG 5191C addresses the application of advanced GIS techniques to research and real-world problems. This course is designed to introduce students to the basic structure and capabilities of object-oriented programming in a GIS environment, and to introduce current Internet Mapping, server-based GIS, and Web GIS. Students will learn how to automate GIS operations and customize the user interface using the programming language available in ArcGIS. The course includes a computer laboratory portion focusing on customizing ESRI GIS software packages (including ArcGIS PRO), Google Maps and Google Earth, ESRI ArcIMS, ArcSDE, and MS SQL. Students will use GIS to apply the GIS skills learned through lab exercises to projects that address real-world applications of GIS across multiple disciplines. GEOG 6091C will also include an advanced project and critiquing and appraising academic and professional literature on course topics, consistent with graduate-level education.

Quantitative Geography and Spatial Statistics III

GEOG 6095 is the third of a three-sequence series designed to acquaint students with statistical methods and models employed in geographic research. The course will cover advanced and specific techniques in statistics, spatial analysis and geographic models, including application and estimation methods, and further develops students' understanding and application of quantitative processes to solve geographic research problems. Students will continue to develop and perfect their skills with statistical packages and with statistical capabilities in other software.

Practical Data Mining and Visualization

Course combines elements of geographical information science (GIS), machine learning, data mining, and information visualization into a set of techniques for exploration of complex spatial data. The course will discuss types of data and tasks encountered in domains ranging from commercial, law enforcement, homeland security, and national security to science including geosciences and life science. Concepts, techniques, and algorithms (classification, clustering, association mining, heat maps, Sammon's maps, self-organizing maps, treemaps and others) will be introduced by means of hands on projects based on real life data.

Internship in Geography*

An internship in Geography is an effective and valuable way to gain on-the-job experience. The class will help students build resume, provide contacts to employers, and determine what to do after graduating.

*By Permission Only

Problems in Geography

Individual research projects requiring prior faculty approval. Credit and hours to be arranged.May be taken more than once.

Geography International Study Abroad

GEOG 6050: Geography International Study Abroad is a course offered in conjunction with formalized department-sponsored international study abroad programs or coordinated with selected partner institutions, rigorously appropriated for graduate-level credit / study. Graduate students will participate in all aspects of the study abroad program structure and also will conduct independent study research as directed by program faculty and in conjunction with their research interests. Activities include lectures from local experts and faculty, field work in an international setting, visits to historic and contemporary sites, unique cultural experiences, and robust discussions on the destination's political, social, environmental, cultural, and economic climates and challenges, and how those components vary across space at the international destinations. General objectives center on student development and awareness of cultural diversity, growth of intercultural competency, furthering of global learning, and, where appropriate, improving communication in a foreign language. Specific learning objectives are also crafted and will vary depending upon the destination itinerary and on the distinct educational scope of the foreign experience.