COURSES

Link to ESRI ArcGIS Desktop II: Tools and Functionality workshop

GEOG 2552: Introduction to Maps and Geospatial Information
This course will define a map and consider maps as tools for communication. Students will explore the effects of scale, projection, cartographic symbolization and generalization on the mapping process and resulting digital databases. Students will be introduced to spatial data models, types of spatial data and representation, and will study alternative or non-tradition map representations provided by GIS and Remote Sensing.

GEOG 3563: Geographic Information Science I: Theory and Analysis
Emphasizes the concepts needed to use GIS effectively for manipulating, querying, analyzing and visualizing spatial data. This course will provide an introduction to and basic skills with industry standard GIS software in a wide variety of applications in both the natural and social sciences. The course will cover basic data modeling, data manipulation, basic analytical methods and implications of geospatial technologies on society.

GEOG 3564: Geographic Information Science II: Applied GIS
This course builds on GEOG 3563, providing more hands-on skills with industry standard GIS software in a wide variety of applications in both the natural and social sciences. The course will cover the design aspects of applications, as well as organizational and institutional aspects of applied GIScience. Lastly, the course will consider ethics and geospatial information and a code of ethics for geospatial professionals.

GEOG 5571: GIS in Urban Analysis
This advanced course serves to provide students with an opportunity to explore the many applications of geographic information systems in local government, transportation, development, and community planning. Students will learn how GIS can be used to effectively carry out urban and regional planning tasks. Several lab projects will be focused around advanced tasks in GIS analysis using land-use planning subject areas and will use Duluth area data. Several guest lectures will focus on current GIS projects and "real-world" experience. Students will gain a basic understanding of GIS project planning and data management. Software used will be ESRI ArcGIS.

GEOG 5572: Environmental Application of GIS
This course will introduce students to learn and apply the main functions of a GIS package (Arcview) as a tool for the analysis of spatial data and as a means for environment management. The course is aimed at advanced undergraduate and graduate students who have had some previous experience in the GIS field. Three components are included: (1) the main functions of ArcView such as getting data into ArcView GIS working with spatial data, querying data, managing tabular data, network analyst, spatial analyst, and 3D analyst; (2) modeling techniques in GIs environments; and (3) the applications of GIS in evaluations of natural hazards, contaminated sites remediation, habitat assessment, forest management, and soil erosion control. The course will couple lectures with practical experience in the lab using ESRI ArcView and ArcGIS software.

GEOG 5573: GIScience in Regional Sustainability Applications
This course serves to provide students with an opportunity to explore the many applications of geographic information systems in environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and community planning for the future. Students will learn how GIS can be used to effectively carry out short term GIS projects. Focus will be on current topics such as energy use calculations, sustainable community development, watershed planning and transit planning in the regional area. Several guest lectures will focus on current GIS applications Software used will be ESRI ArcGIS.

GEOG 3580 Earth Imagery
This course is a selective overview of the methods used for imaging the Earth, it’s atmosphere, and it’s subsurface. The main objective is to expose students to some of the common methods of Earth Imaging and provide them with a hands on experience. This course introduces airphotos, satellite imaging, and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). By the end of the course students will be able to comfortably analyze airphotos, Landsat and other satellite data, and create and analyze DEMs.

GEOG 5581 Digital Image Processing and Analysis
This advanced remote sensing course focuses on theories and applications of digital image processing and provides students with knowledge and skills of advanced digital image processing and analysis techniques. Topics include image display and visualization, methods for geometric and radiometric corrections, image enhancement, image classification and change detection, digital image processing, analysis of hyperspectral and active microwave images.

GEOG 3585 Spatial Statistics & Analytical Methods (proposed)
This course will cover statistical models and methods for processes whose value varies in space. Particular attention will be paid to the use of spatial covariance functions to describe spatial dependence of a process, the interpolation of spatial processes and the close relationship between spatial covariance functions and spatial interpolation. Much of the work in the class will be done in groups, including at least one substantial project.