GPS AND THE NEW GEOGRAPHY (SMT-272774)

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Course Description:

The environment is a major topic of public discussion and debate. Spatial information and geographic literacy is a basis for a growing number of disciplines. From agriculture to climate change, people need to know how location affects our understanding of natural systems. This course combines both topics. In this activity-based course, students will explore environmental science from a geographic perspective using global positioning systems and mass GIS to gather and analyze geographically referenced environmental data while learning about the broader applications of these tools to environmental science and other fields. At the same time, students will get a hands-on look at how geographic data is gathered and turned into maps.

Prerequisites: students must be comfortable using microcomputer applications, and must be able to install software and have a computer available on which they can install software. Students should have access to a high-speed Internet connection and basic familiarity with Internet technologies.

All students in GPS and the New Geography must have an appropriate GPS/track plotter device. The Garmin eTrex Venture HC and the Magellan Triton 200 are examples of suitable devices. These models recently replaced the Garmin Venture H and the Magellan Explorist 200/210. Those models are also suitable and may be available used. Please note that many freestanding GPS units intended for automobile use, and GPS enabled cell phones, do not have the necessary functionality. However, in both cases the situation is changing rapidly and newer devices of these types may meet the requirements.

For this course, the GPS unit you use must have the following features:
* Hand-held
* Ability to store waypoints
* Multiple channels (12 is the minimum)
* WAAS enabled
* Capable of working with lat/long or UTM coordinate systems

This course fully meets the General Education requirement in Natural Sciences.

This online course is offered through Online Learning. You can take this as an individual course or as part of an online degree program, with term starts in March, May, September, November and January. View current term offerings and all online courses. Click here to register for online courses.

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Liberal Study
Lower Level
Credits: 4
Meets General Education Requirement In: Natural Sciences-Full
Term(s) Offered (Subject to Change) :

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