G518 - Techniques in Geography - GIS Applications in Natural Resources
Spring 2007

Dr. John E. Harmon
Rm 312 DiLoreto
860.832.2789
harmonj@ccsu.edu
Office Hours:  MW 11-12; 1-2: T 9-10 and before class.

Purpose

GIS is a technology that is useful in many areas of human endeavor.  One of these is the natural environment.  Almost since its inception with the Canadian GIS in the early 1960s one of the principle uses of the technology has been to measure, monitor, model and map the natural environment.  The technology has been applied to basic research, applied research and practical management applications such as range management and forestry.  In this course I want to expose you to how GIS is used in natural resource research and management.

Course Components

• Lectures - these will not occur every Monday, just when on the schedule.  At the time of printing I was waiting to hear from an outside guest which also may alter the lecture schedule.
   
• Readings - each activity has a set of readings that accompanies it.  On the days when the activities begin you are expected to have read the documents.  Graduate students in the class are responsible for leading a discussion about the readings which I will follow with an introduction to the GIS principles and techniques involved in the activity.
   
• Portfolio - an important output from this course will  be a set of 11 by 17 portfolio items you can use in any GIS related job searches you undertake.  Each activity requires the preparation of a portfolio item.
   
• Activities - there are eight activities that involve different mixes of measuring, monitoring, modeling and mapping.  A cautionary note:  Not all are entirely refined and worked through and there is a possibility I may even drop one of them and replace it (the RUSLE activity).  So bear with me on confusing directions, missing steps, etc... sort of like the real world.  The activities really make up the core of the course.  For each activity you will prepare a Word document laying out what you did.  In that document you will reference any other documents, e.g. map documents, spreadsheets, etc.. I should look at in your workspaces when evaluating you on the activity.
   
• Individual Activity - in a sense, this is an opportunity to create your own activity... and I may borrow your work for a future course.  Using the basic format of the activities I want you to create one in an area of environmental research or management that appeals to you.  Find some data, create a model, apply it, find some readings, etc...The last two days are for the presentation of the activities where you will pass out a copy to the class and go through how you prepared it.
   
• Review Paper - you will prepare a review paper on the use of GIS in some area of environmental research or management.  There are several years worth of a publication called Progress in Geography in the CCSU Burritt Library that will provide examples.  The department uses Chicago Manual of Style B as used in The Professional Geographer for its citation style.  An approved topic is due by Feb. 5 and the completed paper by Apr. 2.
   
• Takehome Final Examination - passed out the last day of class due on May 14.

Grading:

• Activities - 35%
• Individual Activity - 20%
• Portfolio - 10%
• Review Paper - 15%
• Final Examination - 20%