Emphasis on processes driving physical systems on the earth, interactions among physical systems, human interaction with the physical environment, and understanding the basic physical geographic processes and the global geographic patterns resulting from those processes. Lab exercises in various applications of GIS technology used in environmental science, business, government, and criminal justice. Lecture topics include understanding of GIS terminology, raster and vector data structures, data sources and accuracy, methods of data acquisition, conversion, and input, working with spatial databases and spatial analysis. Does not satisfy Social Science distribution requirement. The history of maps, elements of map construction and properties of map projections, and how to construct different kinds of thematic maps and munipulate geographic data to illustrate characteristics of distribution, concentration or other geographic patterns that promote interpretation of the earth's features.
Exercises require work in the computer lab outside class hours.
Offered alternate years. Advanced knowledge of GIS theory and science. Computer lab projects will be geared toward the relevant major. Offered alternate years. Fossils from the major geologic eras will be surveyed and reviewed in an evolutionary and ecological context.