Geographic Information Science (GIS)

An examination of the design and implementation of effective visualization of geographic data. The theoretical basis of cartography, visual perception and communication models, the creation, analysis, and interactive and interactive mapping techniques. Geovisualization offers new perspectives on digital principles of GIS and ways to work with public and private stakeholders. Topics include cartographic principles, mapping techniques, and multivariate mapping.

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.

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.

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. The student will provide their code and data in an open-source platform for reproducibility.

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.

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.

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. The project must incorporate design principles, cartographic layout, or a unique approach to Geo-visualization.

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.)