GIS Applications

GE 500, Fall 2008
(will have a different course number after Fall 2008)

A part of ESU's GeoSpatial Analysis program

This course is designed for students who already have some GIS background, but want to focus on applying their knowledge to solve problems or answer questions. The prerequisite is ES/EB 551.

The course will combine reading and analysis of case studies, reading and thinking about how to structure research that uses GIS, and hands-on practice using ESRI's ArcGIS Desktop software. You will be graded on case study analysis, lab activities, and research design and implementation in a project of your own.

The course will be taught online, using Blackboard. You will have the option of using ESU's lab when it is open, or installing a time-limited version of the software on your own computer (see About Textbooks below).

Student's whose previous work is with a different software package may still take the course, but should expect to invest extra time in getting to know the software.

About Textbooks

• If you expect to do all your hands-on work in the lab and don't want the software on your own computer, AND your previous experience is with ArcGIS, you don't need to buy this book, unless you want it for reference. We will not have assigned readings in it.
• BUT if your previous experience is not with this software,
  OR
  you expect to work at home on your lab activities, you do need to buy the book.
  • If you need the book to help you learn the ESRI software, but not the software itself, you can get a used copy.
  • If you need the software, you need to buy a new copy, or the CD won't do you any good--it can only be used once.

There are two other required books. Smart land-use analysis by Carr and Zwick, will help us get started with applying GIS to a particular type of analysis and problem-solving. We will use Geographic information systems for the social sciences to help us frame approaches to research with GIS, even if you are not a social scientist. Additional readings (case studies, for the most part) will come from books and scholarly journals.

For more information or permission to enroll:

Posted 5/4/2008