A geographic information system (GIS) is a powerful tool for displaying, exploring, and analyzing geographic data. Any data that has a geographic component (including most data in the Earth sciences and environmental sciences) can benefit from GIS. Formerly a tool employed primarily by city planners, conservationists, utilities, and developers, GIS is becoming increasingly ubiquitous in geology and even in non-traditional fields such as the social sciences. Familiarity with GIS can be a decided advantage in today's job market. This course will introduce GIS concepts through examples of current geological and environmental applications in conjunction with hands-on experience in the lab. Course topics range from history and cartography to data structures and analytical methods. Students will be expected to complete an independent research project using GIS tools.
| Instructor: | Nick Bader |
| Office: | Hall of Science 150 |
| Office hours: | Mondays 11 am - 12 noon, Tuesdays 3 - 4 pm, Wednesdays 10 - 11 am |
| Lectures: | Hall of Science 176; Mondays 9 - 9:50 am |
| Labs: | Hall of Science 176; Mondays 1 - 3:50 pm |