Department of Chemistry and Geosciences

Department Head: Dr. L. Joe Morgan, ljmorgan@jsu.edu

Graduate Program Coordinator: Dr. Sean Chenoweth, mchenoweth@jsu.edu

The Department of Chemistry and Geosciences offers courses leading to the Master of Science (MS) with a major in Geographic Information Science and Technology. The department also offers supporting courses for the Master of Arts (MA) with a major in liberal studies. For students majoring in secondary education with a teaching field in social sciences or general science, supporting courses are offered for the Master of Science in Education (MSE) and the Educational Specialist (EdS) degrees. The department also offers supporting courses for other fields such as Public Administration, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management.

Anthropology

AN 410  Archaeological Field School  (3)  

This course is designed to provide the student field experience in methodology and techniques of archaeological data recovery. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 6 semester hours.

AN 490  Advanced Seminar in Anthropology  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): AN 224.

An examination of current issues in anthropology. The content of this course will vary each semester. Students seeking admission must have advanced standing and secure approval of instructor. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 9 semester hours.

Chemistry

CY 435  Advanced Topics in Chemistry  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): CY 232.

Advanced study of various topics in chemistry and chemistry related fields. This course is intended to be offered once per year, and topic selections will vary from year to year. See instructor. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 12 semester hours.

Geographic Information Science

GIS 408  Drone Piloting and Mapping  (3)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: GY 307 or equivalent. Prerequisites for Graduate: GIS 451 or GIS 510 or permission of the department head. This course will teach students the FAA rules regulations with drone aircraft piloting and associated mapping techniques. Students will examine remotely sensed images from various angles, scales, platforms, resolutions, and wavelengths for the purpose of identifying objects, judging their significance. Graduate level credit for this course will require an aerial mapping project. The project must include project layout, data collection, aerial photography, and mapping. A final layout map of the project must be plotted at 24" X 36".

GIS 420  Web-based GIS: Technologies and Applications  (3)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: GY 307 or equivalent. Prerequisites for Graduate: GIS 451 or GIS 510 or equivalent. This course introduces students to the growing field of web-based GIS. The course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of web mapping applications, allowing students to apply techniques in real-world applications. Students taking this course will be required to develop a web GIS application. For graduate credit, a separate GIS application must be hosted by the GIS server and published to the World Wide Web.

GIS 451  Applied Geographical Information Systems  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GY 307.

Training in advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques using spatial data collection, project design, geospatial modeling, data management, and implementation. This course examines the use of GIS to solve real-world spatial problems. This course will require a project to be designed and implemented by the student with pre-approval of instructor. For graduate credit, the project must be completely self-contained and, as a deliverable, must include final map plotted at 24"x36" containing accurate symbology and registration and follow all general cartographic principles.

GIS 456  Spatial Data, Layout, and Design  (3)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: GIS 451. Prerequisites for Graduate: GIS 451 or GIS 510 or permission of the department head. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of map composition, map layout and design, chart creation, and data classification. The student should be able to produce aesthetically accurate and meaningful maps, charts, and cartograms to display and define results of spatial analytics. For graduate level, an additional project or paper must be completed (at the discretion of the faculty member). The project must incorporate design principles, cartographic layout or a unique approach to Geo-visualization.

GIS 459  Spatial Data Collection and Management  (3)  

Prerequisites for Undergraduate: GIS 451 or equivalent. Prerequisites for Graduate: GIS 451 or GIS 510 or permission of the department head. This course covers multiple methods of capturing data, acquiring and importing existing spatial data (both raster and vector) into geographic information systems, and deriving spatial information from these data. This includes manipulation and management of spatial data from various platforms, devices, and sources. For graduate credit, the student must develop a project using various data types (vector, raster, LiDAR, etc.) and produce a complete and self-contained project. The student will also be required to present the project to a public forum (class, lecture, colloquium, etc.)

GIS 506  Digital Image Analysis  (3)  

Advanced techniques, data collection, and analytical methods using various types of remotely sensed data. These will include LiDAR data, Ground Penetrating Radar, and various types of multi-spectral data from satellites such as Landsat, Quickbird, Ikonos, SPOT, and others. Multi-spectral data will include: thermal, natural color (RBG), near to far-infared and others. This course will use various methodologies for collection, classification (supervised ad unsupervised), and analysis of digital data to accomplish change detection, Normalized difference Vegetation Index (NVD1), land use-land cover (LULC), etc. Students will demonstrate mastery of advanced remote sensing skills through a projected at the end of the course. The student should then give a presentation on their project to the class and give a thorough discussion of the analytics used.

GIS 510  Introduction to Spatial Analysis  (3)  

An overview of geographic information systems and a foundation in map coordinate systems, map projections, and map scale. (GIS 510 is cross-listed with BY 510, and only one course may be taken for credit.)

GIS 517  Spatial Statistics  (3)  

Spatial Statistics provides a survey of the methods used to describe, analyze, and model spatial data. This class will explore the application of spatial statistics to everyday issues that might be faced in the field. The major topics of this course will include how to collect, manage, and analyze point pattern data and geostatistical data. In the semester, we will explore regression models, autocorrelation, and Kriging. We will also include Bayesian models throughout the course to review their fit with spatial data.

GIS 519  Geospatial Programming  (3)  

This course explores the use of scripting languages, such as Python and R, to create applications that perform fundamental spatial statistical analysis, such as geoprocessing, spatial autocorrelation, database management, spatial regression, and map creation. Students will explore data analysis and data modeling. Students will demonstrate knowledge of programming concepts and approaches and develop solutions to problems by automating geoprocessing tasks. Graduate-level credit for this course will require a larger research question and dataset that will be analyzed using methods discussed in class. The student will provide their code and data in an open-source platform for reproducibility.

GIS 520  Spatial Data Collection and Management  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GIS 510.

Methods of capturing data, acquiring and importing existing spatial data into geographic information systems, and deriving spatial information from remotely sensed data and storing spatial data.

GIS 530  Analyzing Spatial Networks  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GIS 451 or GIS 510 or permission of the department head.

This course offers the opportunity to study and understand topology theory and employ it in GIS network analyst. The Network Analyst allows one to solve common network problems, such as finding the best route across a city, finding the closest emergency vehicle or facility, identifying a service area around a location, or choosing the best facilities to open or close. The student will create a network dataset. The course cover best routes for multi-nodal networks, how to find proximity and closest entity, the creation of models for route analysis and servicing orders for a fleet of vehicles, and will also teach students to perform network analysis using traffic data and restricted attributes.

GIS 540  Site Location Analysis  (3)  

Location is considered one of the most important factors leading to the success of a private- or public-sector organization. In the course, we will emphasize evaluating existing site locations efficiencies, determine appropriate point site and area site locations for organizational entities, and analyze environmental impacts using GIS and business analyst software. Location can help keep fixed and overhead costs low and accessibility high. Public-sector facilities, such as schools, hospitals, libraries, fire stations, and emergency response services centers can provide high-quality service to the community at a low cost when a good location is chosen. Using site location analysis, students will learn to minimize impedance and maximize coverage area, attendance, market share, and target market areas.

GIS 550  Organization and Management of Spatial Systems  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GIS 451 or GIS 510 or permission of the department head.

This course includes the basics for developing a project plan. Defining and confirming the project goals and objectives, identifying tasks and quantifying the resources needed, and determining budgets and timelines for project completion. The program includes the implementation of the project plan and regular controls to ensure that there is accurate and objective information on performance relative to the plan. GIS projects follow stages of development and production for accurate execution.

GIS 560  Spatial Data, Layout, and Display  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GIS 510.

Fundamentals of map composition and layout, chart creation, data classification and map design to produce meaningful maps and charts of the results of spatial analysis.

GIS 570  Advanced Topics in Spatial Analysis  (3)  

Advanced GIS instruction and work in a variety of topics. Topics may include imagery interpretation, imagery classification, surface modeling, spatial manipulation, spatial languages, and statistical analysis of spatial data. This course may be taken twice for credit.

GIS 590  Internship  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): Permission of program director or Department Head.

Supervised work experience in an approved field with a business, non-profit organization, or governmental agency. A minimum of 100 hours should be completed by the end of the internship. The student is required to attend a preannounced orientation meeting prior to beginning the internship. The student will gain practical experience and relevant skills at a public or private institution in the GIS field to develop knowledge and experience in the practical application of skills to actual problems in a non-classroom situation. Only students in the GIS Master's program are eligible to sign up for this course.

GIS 591  Capstone Project  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): permission of capstone advisor.

A GIS capstone project is the final course in the MS in Geographic Information Science and Technology. It gives the student the opportunity to apply the skills learned/refined in the course of studies. A GIS capstone project immerses the student in a wide range of tasks, which are associated with GIS application. The student's program advisor will review and guide the project. This course may be duplicated for credit for a total of six credit hours, if needed.

GIS 599  Thesis  (3)  

Geography

GY 403  Independent Study  (1)  

Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor required.

This course gives the advanced student opportunity to pursue directed research. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 3 semester hours. Grades: Pass/Fail.

GY 431  Topics in Physical Geography (WI)  (3)  

Advanced geographic study of various facets of the natural environment; topic selection varies; see instructor. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 12 semester hours. (Writing Intensive Course)

GY 445  Topics in Environmental Conservation  (3)  

(3) (3). Prerequiste: ESC 500 or its equivalent. In-depth examination of various conservation issues. Topic selection varies, see instructor. Examples of the types of topics that could be covered in this course include energy resources, public land management, water or air quality and issues regarding food production. This course may be used to meet degree requirements in the MPA degree with an Environmental Science Management emphasis or in the MA degree with a major in Liberal Studies coursework. May be duplicated for credit for a total of six semester hours.

GY 453  Analyzing Spatial Networks  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GY 307.

Undergraduate Introduction to topology theory and its employment in GIS network analysis. Emphasis on methods of determining efficient paths, modeling network flows, and creating efficient service areas for organization entities.

GY 454  Site Location Analysis  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): GY 307.

Undergraduate Emphasis on evaluating existing site location efficiencies, determining of appropriate point site and area site locations for organizational entities, and analyzing environmental impact analyses using GIS.

GY 455  Organization and Management of Spatial Systems  (3)  

Fundamentals of GIS implementation and GIS management. Consideration in designing organization-wide GIS and the management of both special projects and organization-wide use of GIS.

GY 466  Topics in Cultural Geography (WI)  (3)  

Advanced geographic study of various facets of human culture. Topic selection varies. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 12 semester hours. (Writing Intensive Course)

GY 475  Natural Hazards  (3)  

An introduction to natural hazards, their causes, distribution and impacts. Focus on human perception, vulnerability and risk analysis.

GY 501  Concepts in Cultural Geography  (3)  

Application of geographical concepts and perspectives to the study of the world's culture regions. May be used in the social science teaching field with a major in secondary education.

GY 510  Concepts in Earth Sciences  (3)  

Selected topics in earth science such as atmosphere systems and processes, climatology, landform development, soils and biogeography. See instructor for specific topic(s) each term. May be used in the general science and social science teaching fields with a major in secondary education. May be duplicated for credit for a total of 9 semester hours.

Physics

PHS 491  Quantum Mechanics  (3)  

Prerequisite(s): PHS 221, PHS 222, PHS 301, PHS 343, and MS 344.

An extension of the investigation of quantum mechanics begun in PHS 301 to include the full mathematical development of the theory. Basic tools including linear operators and matrices will be used to explore physical systems.

PHS 500  Physics for Teachers  (3)  

Designed for teachers, this course will reinforce and extend basic concepts in physics covered in the Science Course of Study. (May be used in the general science teaching field with a major in secondary education.) May be repeated up to three times.

PHS 501  Physics for Teachers  (3)  

This course deals with basic concepts in physics for pre-service and in-service secondary education teachers. It covers contents, methods, and hand-on activities. Topics selected from electricity, magnetism, and optics.

PHS 502  Physics for Teachers  (3)  

This course deals with the basic concepts in physics for pre-service and in-service secondary education teachers. It covers contents, methods, and hands-on activities. Topics selected from modern physics, e.g., quantum physics, atomic physics, and nuclear physics.