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U of M offers a range of degrees and courses in geospatial technology. Also see the people page to see other ways to learn about geospatial technologies, their underlying principles, and their societal ramifications. This list is compiled from U of M catalogs and personal recommendations. Contact spatial@umn.edu to suggest courses provide updates.
U of M offers a number of degrees and programs with an explicit focus on geospatial research. Many other programs and more general degrees also offer a geospatial component. See the course listings below for courses focused on geospatial research and technology and courses relevant to geospatial topics.
Ph.Ds specializing in GIS are available from both the Geography and Forest Resources Departments.
Courses Primarily Focused on Geospatial Research and Technology
U of M offers a range of courses geospatial topics. This guide designator, number and title, number of credits, prerequisites, course description. See onestop for course guides that give further information on when a given course is offered.
CE 3111. CADD for Civil Engineers. (2 cr; prereq 3201; A-F only).
CE 3202. Surveying and Mapping. (2 cr; A-F only. Prereq–IT or #; MATH 1271, 1272). Theory of precision measurements of distance, elevation, angle, and direction of points and lines above, on, or beneath the earth’s surface; establishing such points or lines. Elements of coordinate systems, datum planes, and maps.
CE 4341. Engineering Geostatistics. (3 cr; A-F only. §GEOE 4341. Prereq–CE, GEOE or upper div Geo or grad, STAT 3021 or #). Problem solving and decision making in civil and geological engineering using applied statistics. Emphasizes spatially correlated data, e.g., geologic site characterization, spatial sampling design.
CSci 4041. Algorithms and Data Structures. (4 cr; prereq 3311 and 3321; prereq 1902 and 2011 or #; no cr for grads in CSci) Rigorous analysis of algorithms and their implementation. Algorithm analysis, sorting algorithms, binary trees, heaps, priority queues, heapsort, balanced binary search trees, AVL trees, hash tables and hashing, graphs, graph traversal, single source shortest path, minimum cost spanning trees.
CSci 4107. Introduction to Computer Graphics Programming. (3 cr; Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: CSCI 5107; prereq 4041 or #; cannot be taken for grad CSci cr). Theory/practice of computer graphics programming using C/C++ and OpenGL. Practical concepts in computer graphics modeling, rendering, and animation. Emphasizes effective use of graphics toolkits.
CSci 4707. Practice of Database Systems. (3 cr; Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: CSCI 5707, INET 4707; prereq 4041 or #). Concepts, conceptual data models, case studies, common data manipulation languages, logical data models, database design, facilities for database security/integrity, applications.
CSci 5115. User Interface Design, Implementation and Evaluation. (3 cr; prereq 3322; prereq 4041 or #). Theory, design, programming, and evaluation of interactive application interfaces. Human capabilities and limitations, interface design and engineering, prototyping and interface construction, interface evaluation, and topics such as data visualization and World Wide Web. Course is built around a group project.
CSci 8715. Spatial Databases and Applications. (3 cr. Prereq–4707 or 5707 or GIS 5571 or GIS 5573). Motivation, Models of spatial information, querying spatial data, processing strategies for spatial queries, multi-dimensional storage/access methods, spatial graph datasets, spatial data mining, trends (e.g., spatio-temporal databases, mobile objects, raster databases).
DESI 4050. Design Institute Seminar: Mapcity. (3 cr [max 6 cr]; A-F only. Prereq–Design minor or #). Develops alternative cartography that reveals the city in ways conventional maps do not. Classic texts explore urban representation and more recent material in cartographic criticism. Student mapmaking projects include producing a map of Twin Cities, alternative city atlas, and (as part of competition in conjunction with Twin Cities Design Celebration) wearable cartography. Readings, quizzes, projects presented in class.
DHA5469. Understanding Housing: Assessment and Analysis (3 cr). The purpose of this course is to develop an understanding of how to use GIS to display, analyze and communicate housing-related information. The emphasis is on good design practices that allow the cartographic representations to effectively communicate housing-related socio-economic information to both professional and lay audiences.
EEB 8641. Spatial Ecology. (3 cr. Prereq–[3407, 2 sem calculus] or #)
Introduction to spatial ecology. Role of space in population dynamics and interspecific interaction. Single species/multispecies models. Deterministic/stochastic theory. Modeling, effects of implicit/explicit space on competition, pattern formation, stability, diversity, and invasion. Reading/discussion of recent literature.
ESPM 3031. Applied Global Positioning Systems for Geographic Information Systems. (3 cr; A-F only. §ESPM 5031. Prereq–Intro GIS course, [jr or sr]). GPS principles, operations, techniques to improve accuracy. Datum, projections, and coordinate systems. Differential correction, accuracy assessments discussed/applied in lab exercises. Code/carrier phase GPS used in exercises. GPS handheld units, PDA based ArcPad/GPS equipment. Transferring field data to/from desktop systems, integrating GPS data with GIS.
ESPM 4295W/5295. GIS in Environmental Science and Management. (4 cr; A-F only. §ESPM 5295. Prereq–FR 3131 or #). Application of spatial data inventory/analysis in complex environmental planning problems. Spatial data collection, database development methods including GPS, DLG, TIGER, NWI data, spatial analysis. Topics identified by non-University partners.
ESPM 5031. Applied Global Positioning Systems for Geographic Information Systems. (3 cr; A-F only. §ESPM 3031. Prereq–Grad student or #). GPS principles, operations, techniques to improve accuracy. Datum, projections, and coordinate systems. Differential correction, accuracy assessments discussed/applied in lab exercises. Code/carrier phase GPS used in exercises. GPS handheld units, PDA based ArcPad/GPS equipment. Transferring field data to/from desktop systems, integrating GPS data with GIS.
FR 3131/5131. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Natural Resources. (4 cr; A-F only. §FR 5131. Prereq–jr or sr). Introduction to GIS. Focuses natural resources. Data structures, sources, collection, and quality. Lab exercises introduce geodesy, map projections, spatial analyses, and cartographic modeling.
FR 3262. Remote Sensing of Natural Resources and Environment. (4 cr. §FR 5262)
Principles/techniques of remote sensing and its applications to mapping/monitoring land/water resources from local to global scales. Forest and natural resource inventory. Forest cover and soil mapping. Landuse/global change analysis. Lab provides hands-on experience working with aerial photography and digital sensing imagery.
FR 5262. Remote Sensing of Natural Resources and Environment. (4 cr. §FR 3262. Prereq–Grad student or #). Principles/techniques of remote sensing. Mapping/monitoring land/water resources from local to global scales. Forest and natural resource inventory. Forest cover and soil mapping. Landuse/global change analysis. Lab provides hands-on experience working with aerial photography and digital sensing imagery.
FR 5412. Digital Remote Sensing. (3 cr. Prereq–3262 or grad student or #). Physical basis and practical applications of digital remote sensing. Energy-matter interactions. Measurements and sensors. Digital image processing/analysis. Experience working with remote sensing data, image processing, and models.
FR 8205. Research Problems: Spatial Data Analysis. (1-5 cr [max 10 cr]. Prereq–#). Independent research under faculty guidance.
GEOG 3511. Principles of Cartography. (4 cr. Prereq–3 cr in geog or #). History and development of U.S. academic cartography, coordinate systems and map projections, data classification and map generalization, methods of thematic symbolization, and cartographic design. A series of computer-based lab exercises will apply conceptual lecture material to the creation of thematic maps.
GEOG 3531. Numerical Spatial Analysis. (4 cr. §GEOG 5531). Introduction to theoretical and applied aspects of geographical quantitative methods with a focus on spatial analysis. Emphasis placed on the analysis of geographical data for spatial problem solving in both the human and physical areas of the discipline.
GEOG 3561/5561. Principles of Geographic Information Science. (4 cr. Prereq–Jr or sr). Introduction to study of geographic information systems (GIS) for geography and non-geography students. Topics include GIS application domains, data models and sources, analysis methods and output techniques. Lectures, readings.
GEOG 5511. Advanced Cartography. (3 cr). Topics on data sources for mapping. History of thematic cartography (focused on 19th-century European activity). Multivariate classification/symbolization. Models for cartographic generalization, spatial interpolation, and surface representation. Principles of animated/multimedia cartography.
GEOG 5531. Numerical Spatial Analysis. (4 cr. §GEOG 3531). Applied/theoretical aspects of geographical quantitative methods for spatial analysis. Emphasizes analysis of geographical data for spatial problem solving in human/physical areas.
GEOG 5563. Advanced Geographic Information Science.(3 cr. Prereq–B or better in 3561 or 5561 or #). Advanced study of geographic information systems (GIS). Topics include spatial data models, topology, data encoding, data quality, database management, spatial analysis tools and visualization techniques. Hands-on experience using an advanced vector GIS package.
GEOG 5562. Geographic Information Science and Analytical Cartography. (3 cr. Prereq–3561 or 5561 and 3511, or #). Topics include algorithms and data structures for digital cartographic data, topological relationships, surface modeling and interpolation, map projections and geometric transformations, numerical generalization, and raster and vector processing. Hands-on experience using a variety of software packages.
GEOG 5564. Urban Geographic Information Science and Analysis. (3 cr. Prereq–3561 or 5561). Core concepts in urban geographic information science including sources for urban geographical and attribute data (including census data), urban data structures (focusing on the TIGER data structure), urban spatial analyses (including location-allocation models), geodemographic analysis, network analysis, and the display of urban data.
GEOG 5565. Geographical Analysis of Human-Environment Systems. (3 cr. Prereq–3561 or 5561 or FR 4131 or LA 5573 or one intro GIS course or grad or #). Applications of geographic information systems and other spatial analysis tools to the analysis of environmental systems patterns, dynamics, and interactions. Focus on global to landscape databases developed to analyze atmospheric, hydrospheric, geomorphic, pedologic, biologic, and human landuse systems.
GEOG 5588. Multimedia Cartography. (3 cr. Prereq–Minimum of three geog courses including one cartography course or advanced standing in an allied field such as landscape architecture or #). Conceptualizing geographic topics in animatable form, selecting appropriate animation metaphors for specific ideas, using standard graphic software to prepare images for computer display and animation.
GEOG 8290. Seminar in GIS and Cartography. (3 cr. Prereq–#). Selected concepts/methods. Topics, which vary yearly, include spatial analysis methods in GIS; advanced visualization methods; data quality and error propagation in GIS; generalization methods in GIS and cartography; role of time in GIS; interactive/animated cartography; incorporation of uncertainty.
GEOG 8291. Seminar in GIS, Technology, and Society. (3 cr. Prereq–#). Relationships between practice of GIS and political, economic, legal, institutional structures of society. Effects of GIS on society. Nontraditional spaces in GIS. GIS and local decision making. Privacy issues.
GEOG 8292. Seminar in GIS: Spatial Analysis and Modeling. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–3511 [or equiv statistics course], [3561 or 5561 or equiv intro GIS course] or #). Overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial analysis/modeling of human/environmental systems. Spatial statistics, modeling spatiotemporal processes, simulation techniques, visualization, complex systems/complexity. Guidance in thesis/dissertation research.
GIS 5555. Basic Spatial Analysis. (3 cr. Prereq–[STAT 3001 or equiv, MGIS student] or #). Analyses of data with spatial (locational) information. Exploratory data analysis. Descriptive statistics of point data. Descriptive statistics for line data. Descriptive statistics for polygon data. Spatial autocorrelation. Inferential statistical analysis of point data/polygons. Descriptive analysis of patches/landscapes. Spatial pattern recognition using empirical orthogonal functions and cluster analysis. Regression methods for spatially autocorrelated variables.
GIS 5571. Introduction to Arc/Info. (3 cr. Prereq–GEOG 5561 or equiv, status in MGIS program, familiarity with computer operating systems or #). Introductory overview of the Arc/Info system. Topics include data capture, geometric transformations and map projections, topology, editing systems, database management and map production.
GIS 5572. Advanced Arc/Info. (3 cr. Prereq–5571, GEOG 5561 or equiv, status in MGIS program or #). Advanced course in Arc/Info providing in-depth exploration of the topics emphasized in GIS 5571 as well as advanced topics including dynamic segmentation, address matching, and macro language programming.
GIS 5573. Desktop Mapping. (1.5 cr. Prereq–GEOG 5561 or equiv, GEOG 3 511 or equiv, status in MGIS program or #). Introduction to desktop mapping systems such as ArcView, MapInfo and Maptitude. Emphasizes the application of these systems to the display and analysis of geographical data.
GIS 5574. GIS and the Internet. (1.5 cr. Prereq–GEOG 5561 or equiv, status in MGIS program or #). The role of the Internet in GIS applications. Topics include GIS data sources on the Internet, the role of the Internet in information dissemination, Internet capabilities for interactive mapping and issues surrounding the development of GIS-related Web sites.
GIS 5575. Surveying and the Global Positioning System (GPS). (2 cr. Prereq–GEOG 5561 or equiv, status in MGIS program or #). Introduction to GPS (Global Positioning System) and other surveying techniques of use to GIS professionals. Topics include geodesy, data adjustment, datums, ellipsoids, coordinate systems, and transformations.
GIS 5577. Spatial Data Administration. (3 cr. Prereq–#). Theory/pplication for administration of geographic databases. Quality assurance, development planning/management, maintenance, access/distribution, documentation.
GIS 5578. GIS Programming. (2 cr. Prereq–MGIS student or #). Opportunities/flexibility that computer programming offers to application of GIS technologies. Object-oriented programming techniques using Microsoft.s Visual Basic programming language. Students apply GIS principles/concepts within Visual Basic programs using ESRI.s MapObjects.
GIS 5590. Special Topics in GIS. (1-3 cr [max 6 cr]; A-F only. Prereq–#). Special topics in geographic information science (GIS). Topics vary according to student needs, technological developments in field.
GIS 8501. Survey of Geographic Information Science: Past, Present, and Future Trends and Activities. (3 cr. Prereq–MGIS student or #). Major trends and activities in geographic information science; university, local, state, and federal-level initiatives. History of GIS and its various disciplinary roots as well as major GIS-related resources (e.g., data sources, Web resources).
LA 5573. Landscape Technology: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–jr or sr B.E.D. major or LA grad or #). GIS as an analytical tool to solve geographical problems of regional landscape design and resource management. Topics include application techniques, analytical procedures, data characteristics, data sources, input/output methods, and implementation.
PA 5271. Geographic Information Systems: Applications in Planning and Policy Analysis. (3 cr. Prereq–Grad student or #). Introduction to GIS. Applications in public planning and policy analysis. Operational skills in GIS software. Mapping analysis of U.S. Census material. Local/state government management/planning. Spatial statistical analysis for policy/planning.
PubH 8436. Spatial Biostatistics. (3 cr. Prereq–Stat 5101, Stat 5102, some experience with S-plus; [5470 or 8431], Stat 8311 recommended). Spatial data, spatial statistical models, and spatial inference on unknown parameters or unobserved spatial data. Nature of spatial data, special analysis tools that help to analyze such data. Theory, applications.
See onestop for course guides that give further information on when a given course is offered.
ARCH 5711. Design Principles of the Urban Landscape. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–BED major or M Arch major or LA grad major or grad student or #). Art/design of creating city, neighborhood, and development plans. Public policies, planning tools/processes, and hysical models used by design professionals and private/civic institutions to shape physical environment.
ARTH 3340/5340. Practicum in Archaeological Field and Computer Techniques. (3 cr; prereq ClCv major or # or 1 course in ancient art and archaeology). This is an opportunity to master basic skills that range across disciplines: the humanities, civil engineering and surveying, and natural and physical sciences. The Practicum serves as a prerequisite for participation in one of several U of M projects in Greece or Minnesota, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Also appropriate training for other excavations. Course is a mixture of readings in archaeology and professional surveying, combined with digs at a local site. (These courses may be taken through Art History [ARTH], Classical and Near Eastern Studies [CNES], or Classical Civilization [CLCV].)
CSci 4211. Introduction to Computer Networks. (3 cr; Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: CSCI 5211; prereq 4061 or #; basic knowledge of [computer architecture, operating systems] recommended, cannot be taken for grad CSci cr). Concepts, principles, protocols, and applications of computer networks. Layered network architectures, data link protocols, local area networks, routing, transport, network programming interfaces, networked applications. Examples from Ethernet, Token Ring, TCP/IP, HTTP, WWW.
CSci 5107. Fundamentals of Computer Graphics 1. (3 cr; Credit will not be granted if credit has been received for: CSCI 4107; prereq [4041 or instr consent], fluency in C/C++, mastery of basic concepts in linear algebra). Fundamental algorithms in computer graphics. Emphasizes programming projects in C/C++. Scan conversion, hidden surface removal, geometrical transformations, projection, illumination/shading, parametric cubic curves, texture mapping, antialising, ray tracing. Developing graphics software, graphics research.
CSci 5421. Advanced Algorithms and Data Structures. (3 cr; prereq 3322; 4041 or #). Fundamental paradigms of algorithm and data structure design. Divide-and-conquer, dynamic programming, greedy method, graph algorithms, amortization, priority queues and variants, search structures, disjoint-set structures. Theoretical underpinnings. Examples from various problem domains.
CSCI 5211. Data Communications and Computer Networks. (3 cr. §CSCI 4211. Prereq–[4061 or #], basic knowledge of [computer architecture, operating systems, probability])
Fundamental concepts, principles, protocols, and applications of computer networks. Layered network architectures, data link protocols, local area networks, network layer/routing protocols, transport, congestion/flow control, emerging high-speed networks, network programming interfaces, networked applications. Case studies using Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, TCP/IP, ATM, Email, HTTP, and WWW.
CSCI 5707. Principles of Database Systems. (3 cr. §CSCI 4707, INET 4707. Prereq–4041 or #) Concepts, database architecture, alternative conceptual data models, foundations of data manipulation/analysis, logical data models, database designs, models of database security/integrity, current trends.
CSci 8442. Computational Geometry and Applications. (3 cr. Prereq–5421 or #)
Designing efficient algorithms and data structures for geometric problems. Models of computation, convex hulls, geometric duality, multidimensional search, Voronoi diagrams and Delauney triangulations, linear programmingin fixed dimensions, lower bound techniques. Applications, advanced topics.
CSci 8725. Databases for Bioinformatics. (3 cr; prereq 4707 or 5707 or #). DBMS support for biological databases, data models. Searching integrated public domain databases. Queries/analyses, DBMS extensions, emerging applications.
CE 4352. Groundwater Modeling. (3 cr; prereq Upper div IT or grad, CE 4351, GeoE 4351 or #; A-F only). Analytic element method. Mathematical and computer modeling of single and multiple aquifer systems. Field problems. Theory and application of contaminant transport models, including capture zone analysis.
CE 4501. Hydrologic Design. (4 cr; prereq 3502; A-F only). Hydrologic cycle: precipitation, evaporation, infiltration runoff. Flood routing through rivers and reservoirs. Statistical analysis of hydrologic data and estimation of design flows. Open channel flow, flow through conduits. Detention basin design, hydraulic structure sizing, estimation of risk of flooding.
CE 8506. Stochastic Hydrology. (4 cr; prereq Stat 3021 or equiv or #; A-F only). Analysis and synthesis of hydrologic series and systems; derived distributions; uncertainty and risk analysis; flood frequency analysis; multivariate time series analysis; correlation and spectral analysis; series of long-range dependence; linear estimation; geostatistics; sampling networks; hydrologic forecasting.
EEB 4825. Telemetry and Animal Behavior. (2 cr. Prereq–General biology)
Using latest techniques in radio telemetry to study animal behavior, especially animal movements and home ranges. Methods of attaching radio transmitters, locating radio-tagged animals, determining accuracy of positional data, calculating positions. Software for home range calculations/placement of data on a GIS base system.
FR 5615. Field Remote Sensing and Resource Survey. ( 2 cr; A-F only. Prereq–3218, 3262). Field applications of remote sensing, sampling/measurement methods to inventory/mapping of forest and other natural resources. Offered at Cloquet Forestry Center.
GEOG 3361W. Land Use, Landscapes, and the Law. (3 cr). Landscapes are political statements. They reflect how individuals, organizations, and governments have exercised the legal rights that they possess to produce goods and provide services.
GEOG 5361. Geography and Real Estate. (4 cr). Origins and evolution of land ownership in the United States.
GEOG 5371W. American Cities I: Population and Housing.(4 cr. §PA 5201W. Prereq–Grad or #). Emergence of North American cities; residential building cycles, density patterns; metropolitan housing stocks, supply of housing services; population and household types; neighborhood-level patterns of housing use; housing prices; intraurban migration; housing submarkets inside metro areas; emphasis on linking theory, method, case studies.
GEOG 5372W. American Cities II: Land Use, Transportation, and the Urban Economy. (4 cr. §PA 5202W). Urban economy, its locational requirements. Central place theory. Transportation, urban land use: patterns/conflicts. Industrial/commercial land blight. Real estate redevelopment. Historic preservation. Emphasizes links between land use, transportation policy, economic development, local fiscal issues. U.S.-Canadian contrasts.
IDSc 6201. Information Systems Development: Methodologies and Tools. (2 cr, 7- week course; prereq IDSc 6040 or IDSc 6050). Comprehensive treatment of the technologies and environment associated with large-scale information systems development. Topics include relational and O-O DBMS; overview of visual, graphical, object, and procedural systems development languages; development of effective user interfaces; application of CASE tools; overview of hardware, operating systems, and networks.
IDSc 6202. Information Systems Development: Planning and Analysis. (2 cr; 7-week course; prereq IDSc 6040 or IDSc 6050). In-depth coverage of methodologies, concepts, and techniques. Topics include conformance to existing plans and policies; problem formulation and prioritization; economic rationale, justification, and risk assessment of systems development projects; make vs. buy decisions, IS acquisition, outsourcing, and vendor selection; establishing information requirements in an enterprise-wide context; specification of application systems requirements in conjunction with end-users; verification of system requirements; project management tools and techniques.
IDSc 6431. Advanced Database I. (2 cr; 7- week course, prereq 6201, MBA student; A-F only). Data modeling; Entity-Relationship (ER) modeling and diagramming; relational database design and normalization; introduction to Object-Role Modeling (ORM)—basic constructs and constraints. Data(base) administration—role and functions and organizational arrangements; data planning; high-level database operations in data manipulation languages—SQL, and the new ANSI SQL 1999 standard; facilities of a comprehensive DBMS; the DBMS marketplace. Students do hands-on work with MS SQL Server DBMS and MS Visio for Enterprise Architects (VEA) ORM data modeling tool (software supplied and also available in the computer labs).
IDSc 6432. Advanced Database II. (2 cr; 7 week course, prereq [6431], MBA student; A-F only). Continuing in-depth exploration of object role modeling with several exercises; modeling with subtypes and supertypes; validation and presentation of a data model; conducting data modeling projects; capturing business rules; mapping an ORM data model to a relational database; queries on an ORM data model. Examination of other data languages—XML and UML, database performance tuning; data storage architectures and management; temporal, spatial, and multimedia databases; data warehousing and OLAP; Object-Oriented DBMS, databases in a distributed environment; data security and privacy. Students do hands-on work with MS SQL Server DBMS and MS Visio for Enterprise Architects (VEA) ORM data modeling tool.
IDSc 6461. Data Warehousing. (2 cr; prereq 6201, MBA student; A-F only). Exploring the role of data warehouses in supporting decision making in organizations. For those with responsibility for data warehousing initiatives within their organization. Topics include: how data warehouses differ from traditional databases (for transaction processing); extracting and cleansing data from existing operational databases, integrating external data sources, building a historical database; dimensional analysis and multidimensional modeling, the “cube” vs. building the data warehouse in a relational DBMS, designing the STAR schema; online analytical processing (OLAP); data drill down; data mining; the marketplace of vendors and tools to build and use a data warehouse; deploying the data warehouse on the internet and internet access to your internal databases; maintaining the data warehouse as a production system.
LA 3204. Landscape Ecology. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–EEB 3001 or equiv). Relationships among spatial patterns, temporal patterns, and ecological processes in landscape.
LA 5204. Landscape Ecology. (3 cr. Prereq–B.E.D. accelerated status or LA grad student or #). Relationships among spatial patterns, temporal patterns, ecological processes in landscape. Factors affecting landscape patterns, measurement of landscape pattern, material transport through landscape, effects of landscape pattern on population dynamics, landscape planning.
LA 8203. Making Regional Landscape Space. (6.0 cr; Prereq-8202, grad LA major, cooncurrent enrollment 8204 or #; A-F or Aud, fall, every year). Design exploration of landscape ecology, landscape perception, regional economics, and public policy as informants of design decision-making in regional landscapes at or exceeding township level. Geographic information systems as design tools.
LA 8204. Regional Landscape Space. (3.0 cr; Prereq-Grad LA major or #; A-F or Aud). Theoretical investigations and current advances in use of landscape ecology, landscape perception, regional economics, and public policy as informants of design decision-making in regional landscapes at or exceeding township level. Geographic information systems as design tools.
PE 1042. Orienteering. (1 cr). Fundamentals, including navigation of an orienteering course using map and compass; types of orienteering courses; multiple techniques and tactics of orienteering. Course is physically challenging and requires participation in three orienteering meets (Sunday afternoons).
PA 5211. Land Use Planning. (3 cr. Prereq–Grad student or #). Physical/spatial basis for land use planning at community/regional level. Role of public sector in guiding private development. Land use regulations, comprehensive planning, growth management, innovative land use planning/policies.
PA5290: Planning Decision Support Systems. (3 cr. Prereq–Grad student or #). The goals of this course are to provide those enrolled with the ability to understand and apply the linking of science and citizen participation in urban planning with the use of computational model simulation software and to understand the varying contexts of citizen participation made possible by this software in community meetings, visioning events, community field surveys, and internet interactions. We will also investigate rudimentary skill in designing software for participatory decision-making. Software packages used are extensions of ArcGIS so basic skills in GIS will be appropriate.
PA 8201. Environment and Infrastructure Planning. (4 cr; A-F only. Prereq–[Urban and regional planning] grad student or #). Relationship between infrastructure, human settlement design. Natural resource systems as foundation of infrastructure provision. Environmental basis of, and political/legal/institutional frameworks for, land-use planning. Parallel computer lab, practicum assignment.
PA 8202. Networks and Places: Transportation, Land Use, and Design. (4 cr; A-F only. Prereq–§: 8212; [urban and regional planning] grad student or #). Relationship between land use and transportation. Developing synthetic design skills for linking land use transportation in urban/regional settlements. Economic, political, legal, institutional frameworks for planning. Parallel computer lab, practicum assignment.
SOIL 4111. Introduction to Precision Agriculture. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–§: MAST 2420; Basic sciences, statistics, soil, Agronomy). Soil, landscape, and crop spatial variability. GIS, DEM, GPS technologies. Variable rate machinery, PA software, remote sensing. Geostatistics, sampling, experimental designs. Precision integrated crop management. Data acquisition, processing, and management. Socio-economical and e-marketing aspects
SOIL 5515. Soil Genesis and Landscape Relations. (3 cr; A-F only. Prereq–2125 or #). Basic soil morphology and soil profile descriptions; pedogenic processes and models of soil development; soil geomorphology, hydrology, and hillslope processes; digital spatial analysis; soil classification; soil surveys and land use; soil geography.
Stat 5201. Sampling Methodology in Finite Populations. (3 cr. Prereq–3011 or 3021 or 5021 or #). Simple random, systematic, stratified, unequal probability sampling. Ratio, model based estimation. Single stage, multistage, adaptive cluster sampling. Spatial sampling.