Curriculum: Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems

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.

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.

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.

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. Each class will focus on a lecture topic, a laboratory exercise, or a combination of both. ENVI, a robust remote 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 Geo referencing; Image Filters; Supervised Classification; Unsupervised Classification; and Creating Image Maps.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.