ENV 205 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

3 Credits

A Geographic Information System (GIS) processes and analyzes spatial information. By understanding geographic location and spatial relationships, these computer programs aid in decision making and often increase the efficiency of many industries, including environmental science, business, medicine, government, and law enforcement. Specifically, GIS is used daily to map and manage natural resources and environmental information, determine the best placement for new businesses, efficiently design transportation networks, deploy police officers and model criminal activity, respond and recover from natural disasters, and track routes of disease outbreaks and much more. As geographic information continues to become more readily available, the demand for skilled GIS professionals will increase. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of ArcGIS, the most widely used GIS program. Further, students will learn where to obtain spatial data, how to properly construct maps, and how to manipulate and model spatial information to solve complex problems. The course has both a lecture and a computer lab component where hands-on exercises are performed for students to gain experience. Students will perform an original research project using the methods learned within the course.