Geographic Info Syst

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems using ArcGIS. Analysis of spatial data based on location. Hands-on work with downloading databases from the Internet, modifications of formats, editing, and data analyses. Visual representation of data will emphasize different data types (point, linear, and spatial) and use of various analytical tools (IDW, spline, nearest neighbor, quadrant analysis, and different pattern types, such as random, clustered, uniform, bi-modal, etc.). Environmental Applications are stressed in class and include: Earthquake Patterns and Risk Analysis, Vegetation Patterns and Changes over Time, Patterns of Sea Level Change due to Global Warming, remote sensing of fracture patterns, aerosol dispersal over time, pollution plumes in subsurface groundwater.