Courses offered under the Environmental Information Sciences
The concentration offers interdisciplinary study in geospatial environmental information systems to advance our understanding of biophysical processes and the sustainable development and management of Earth resources.
PLSCS 4110 - Applied Remote Sensing and GIS for Resource Inventory and Analysis
Survey of geospatial data and information applied to the science of natural and environmental systems. Experiential approaches introduce basic concepts of photogrammetry, emphasizing the use and integration of maps, spatial databases, imagery, field data collection methodologies, accuracy assessment techniques and GPS to discriminate, measure, inventory and monitor environmental resources. Introduce fundamental geospatial tools and concepts of scale and resolution used for resource inventories. Cross listed as CEE4110.
Fall, 3 credits - M. Laba
PLSCS 4200 - Geographic Information Systems
Principles and applications of geographic information systems for characterizing and assessing agronomic and environmental systems. Emphasizes accessing, updating, analyzing, and mapping geo-spatial data and information. Considers information needs assessment; spatial data accession; coordinate systems; spatial database design, construction, and maintenance; modeling and analysis; map accuracy assessment; and digital cartography.
Recommended prerequisite: PLSCS 4110 but not required.
Spring, 3 credits – Y. Sun
PLSCS 4650 – Global Navigation Satellite Systems
Introduces navigation-grade GPS instruments used in agricultural and environmental science. Topics include instrument familiarization; field-data collection and processing; real-time and post-differential correction; and GPS-GIS integration and mapping of geo-positional data.
Spring, 1 credits –
PLSCS 6200 – Spatial Modeling and Analysis
Theory and practice of applying geo-spatial data for resource inventory and analysis, biophysical process modeling, and land surveys. Emphasizes use and evaluation of spatial analytical methods applied to agronomic and environmental systems and processes. Laboratory section is used to process, analyze, and visualize geo-spatial data of interest to the student, ending in a comprehensive student project. Cross-listed as NTRES 6200.
Prerequisite: PLSCS 4110, PLSCS 4200, or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Spring, 3 credits – D. G. Rossiter