Geospatial
Information Sciences Course Descriptions
GISC
6301 Geospatial Data Analysis Fundamentals (3 semester hours)
Focuses on data handling techniques and applying basic statistical methodology
to spatial research questions. Concepts of statistical data analysis including
descriptive statistics, exploratory methods, sampling theory, statistical
inference and correlation analysis are reviewed from a Geo-Information Sciences
perspective. Regression analysis and basic
methods of spatial pattern analysis are introduced. A prior course in statistics (such as EPPS
3405) is strongly recommended. (3-2) Y
GISC
6311 (ECON 6311) Statistics for Geospatial Science (3
semester hours) The course introduces calculus-based statistical analysis and
probability theory, providing background for econometrics and economic modeling
of simple stochastic processes. Standard
probability distributions are covered, including Bernoulli, binomial, negative
binomial, hypergeometric, Poisson, normal, gamma, beta, t and F distributions. Estimation and hypothesis testing are
discussed. Introductory asymptomatic
theory, including the Law(s) of Large Numbers and the Central Limit Theorem,
will be covered as well as real-world applications of probability theory as
time permits. (2-3) Y
GISC
6317 Computer Programming for GIS (3 semester hours) General
introduction to Visual Basic and other languages with GIS related applications.
Topics covered include fundamental data structures and algorithms, user-interface
design, component object model, and data base management. Emphasis on rapid GIS
application development with hands-on experiences. Students are expected to
design and implement a project. (3-0) Y
GISC
6325 (GEOS 5325) Introduction to Remote Sensing (3
semester hours) Application of airborne and satellite remote sensing for
understanding the surface of the earth.
Focus on interpretation of images obtained by passive and active imaging
systems using electromagnetic radiation, especially visible, infra-red, and
radar. Laboratory course. (2-3) Y
GISC
6326 Geovisualization (3 semester hours) Examines the theoretical concepts and
practical applications of cartographic and geographic visualization. Topics covered in lectures include concepts
for geographic data representation, symbolization and map design, and methods
for geographic visualization and display.
3D visualization, cartographic animation, and web-based mapping may also
be included. Lab sessions explore the
implementation of cartographic and geographic visualization with industry
standard GIS software. Prerequisite:
GISC 6381 or equivalent knowledge. (3-0) R
GISC
6379 Special Topics in Geographic Information Sciences (3
semester hours) Topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit (9 hours
maximum). Consult with adviser to
determine appropriateness of topic for degree plan. (3-0) R
GISC
6380 Spatial Concepts and Organization (3 semester hours) Examines
the recurring patterns of physical and human objects on the Earth's surface,
the flows of circulations among them, and the spatial concepts and theories
which have been advanced to help understand and explain these spatial
arrangements. Provides a fundamental understanding of spatial processes,
concepts, and theories. (3-0) R
GISC
6381 Geographic Information Systems Fundamentals (3
semester hours) Examines the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems and
their applications. Emphasizes the
concepts needed to use GIS effectively for manipulating, querying, analyzing,
and visualizing spatial-based data. Industry-standard GIS software is used to
analyze spatial patterns in social, economic and environmental data, and to
generate cartographic output from the analysis.
(3-0) Y
GISC
6382 Applied Geographic Information Systems (3 semester hours)
Further develops hands-on skills with industry-standard GIS software for
application in a wide variety of areas including urban infrastructure
management, marketing and location analysis, environmental management, geologic
and geophysical analysis and the Economic, Political and Policy Sciences.
Prerequisite: GISC 6381 or equivalent with instructor's permission. (3-0) Y
GISC
6383 Geographic Information Systems Management and Implementation (3
semester hours) Management strategies for GIS are examined by presenting GIS as
an integrated system of people, computer hardware, software, applications and
data. Implementation is examined as a
systematic process of user needs assessment, system specification, database
design, application development, implementation, operation, and
maintenance. Includes design of
implementation plans as case studies to explore various techniques associated
with each step of this process. (3-0) Y
GISC
6384 Spatial Analysis and Modeling (3 semester hours)
Treatment of more advanced topics in the application of spatial analysis in a
GIS environment. Topics covered include raster-based cartographic modeling, 3-D
visualization, geostatistics and network analysis. Student will be acquainted with state-of-the-art
software through hands-on laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: GISC 6381.
(3-0) Y
GISC
6385 GIS Theories, Models and Issues (3 semester hours) Provides
an understanding of the underlying theories, mathematical and geometric tools,
and their computational implementations that establish GIS capabilities to
handle and analyze geo-referenced information.
Associated issues (such as uncertainty, spatial analysis and spatial
data management) highlighted. Prerequisites: GISC 6381 and GISC 6382, or
equivalent with instructor's permission. (3-0) Y
GISC
6387 Geographic Information Systems Workshop (3 semester hours)
Provides a structured laboratory experience focused on the students'
substantive area of interest. Each
participant develops a project which should include aspects of database design
and manipulation, spatial analysis, and cartographic production. Projects may be designed in coordination with
a local government, utility, business, or other entity that uses GIS in its
operations and research. Prerequisites:
GISC 6381 and GISC 6382. (3-0) Y
GISC
6388 GIS Application Software Development (3 semester hours)
Provides instruction and hands-on experience in specific techniques and
languages for developing application systems based on GIS concepts. Students will learn to use current generation
commercial software to design and implement an application. Prerequisites: GISC 6381 and GISC 6317, or
permission of instructor. (3-0) R
GISC
6389 Geospatial Information Sciences Master's Project (3
semester hours) Requires completion of an original GIS project by the student
working alone or in a team. Team efforts
must result in products that can be associated uniquely with each student. Projects normally continue efforts started in
GISC 6387 or GISC 6386. (3-0) S
GISC
6V01 Independent Study in GIS (1-9 semester hours)
Provides faculty supervision for a student's individual study of a topic agreed
upon by the student and the faculty supervisor. Prerequisite: Permission of
instructor. May be repeated for credit. ([1-9]-0) S
GISC
6V98 Master's Thesis (3-9 semester hours) Provides faculty supervision of a
student's master's thesis research.
Prerequisite: Consent of GIS Program Head and instructor. May be repeated for credit. ([3-9]-0) S
GISC
7310 Regression Analysis with Spatial Applications (3
semester hours) The specification, interpretation and properties of the
multiple linear regression model including spatial and aspatial regression
diagnostics are examined. Extensions to
the logistic and Poisson regression models and spatial heterogeneity are
provided. A review of the key concepts of matrix algebra and simulation
techniques is given. Practical data analysis for large datasets is exercised by
coupling statistical software with GIS environments. Prerequisite: GISC 6301 or
GISC 6311 or equivalent. (3-0) Y
GISC
7360 GIS Pattern Analysis (3 semester hours) Examines univariate
and multivariate methods for point pattern analysis, geo-statistical surface
interpolations, and spatial regression models.
Underlying models and processes leading to spatially clustered and
spatially dispersed patterns are discussed.
Course has particular relevance for local and global spatial analyses of
crime, disease, or environmental patterns.
Prerequisites: (GISC 6381 or GISC 6311) and (GISC 6301 or equivalent).
(3-0) R
GISC
7361 Spatial Statistics (3 semester hours) The application of
statistical techniques to the explicit treatment of space (geography) in social
science models. Covers indices of
spatial autocorrelation, the specification of autoregressive models (Gaussian,
Poisson, binomial/logistic), geostatistical modeling, spatial filtering,
Bayesian map analysis, random effects in models, and imputation of missing
geocoded data. Recommended: GISC 7360. Prerequisite: GISC 7310 or EPPS 7316 or
equivalent. (3-0) R
GISC
7363 Internet Mapping and Information Processing (3
semester hours) Provides a conceptual overview and hands-on experiences in
Internet mapping and web-based geospatial information processing with
state-of-the-art commercial software.
Topics covered include client/server configuration, distributed data
access and display, web-based user interaction and customization. (3-0) T
GISC
7364 Demographic Analysis and Modeling (3 semester hours) Examines
key demographic models for population analysis, their underlying theoretical
foundations, and extensions into the spatial domain. Incorporates quantitative
estimation and projection techniques and their use within a geographic
information systems framework. Provides
a solid understanding of spatio-temporal population dynamics, either local or
global, which is essential to many disciplines engaged in planning for the
public and private service sectors, for transportation networks or for regional
development projects. Prerequisite: EPPS
7313. (3-0) R
GISC
7365 (GEOS 5326) Remote Sensing Digital Image Processing (3
semester hours) Introduction to remote sensing digital image processing
techniques. Topics covered include principles of remote sensing and remote
sensors, image visualization and statistics extraction, radiometric and
geometric correction, image enhancement, image classification and change
detection. Innovative image processing
approaches will also be introduced.
State-of-the-art commercial image processing software is used for labs
and applications development. Prerequisite: GISC 6325. (3-0) Y
GISC
7366 (GEOS 5329) Applied Remote Sensing (3 semester hours) Focuses
on the application of remote sensing techniques to solving real world urban and
environmental problems in areas such as urban and suburban landscape, land use
and land cover, transportation and communication, vegetation and forestry,
biodiversity and ecology, water and water quality control, soils and minerals,
geology and geomorphology studies. The
current generation, industry standard software is used for labs and applications
development. Prerequisite: GISC 6325/GEOS
5325. (3-0) Y
GISC
7367 (GEOS 7327) Remote Sensing Workshop (3 semester hours) An
independent project is designed and conducted by the student, after instructor
approval. The project develops and
demonstrates student's competence in using remote sensing techniques in a
substantive application to his/her field of interest. Projects may be developed in coordination
with a local government, utility, business, or other entity, which uses remote
sensing in its operations and research.
A formal presentation and a project report are required. Prerequisites: GISC 6381 and GISC 7365/GEOS
5326. (3-0) Y
GISC
7387 GI Sciences Research Design (3 semester hours) Examines
issues relative to the conduct of effective and valid research in geospatial
information sciences and related fields. (3-0) Y
GISC
7389 GI Sciences Ph.D. Research Project
Qualifier (3 semester hours) Requires completion, according to uniform
guidelines established by the GI Sciences program, of a GI Sciences Research
Project and its presentation to a committee of at least three GI Sciences
faculty. May be repeated once in the
immediately following semester. May
substitute for GISC 6389 GI Sciences Master's Project. Pass/Fail only. Prerequisite: completion of
24 hours of coursework in GI Sciences Ph.D. program. (3-0) Y
GISC
8320 Seminar in Spatial Analysis (3 semester hours) Examines
selected topics in spatial analysis or GI Science. May be repeated for credit
when topics differ. (3-0) R
GISC
8V27 Internship in GIS (1-9 semester hours) Provides faculty
supervision for a student's internship, which must be related to GIS. ([1-9]-0)
S
GISC
8V29 Research in GIS (1-9 semester hours) Provides faculty supervision of
research conducted by a student.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
([3-9]-0) S
GISC
8V99 Dissertation (1-9 semester hours) Provides faculty supervision of a
student's dissertation research. Prerequisite:
Permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit. ([1-9]-0) S