Scott B. Miles - EGEO 453: GIS Processing and Analysis
Department of Environmental Studies, Huxley College of the Environment at WWU
EGEO 453 is designed to be an in-depth experience in group-work to define, conceptualize and implement a GIS-based model of a social and/or environmental system intended for aiding policy, planning or other decision support applications. Students will be employing the raster analysis tools of GIS and conducting geospatial modeling as part of a real-world project or geography research. Projects are expected to draw on material from two or more concentrations within the Department of Environmental Studies (i.e., geography, natural resource management, environmental education, policy, planning, disaster reduction and emergency planning). Students are to select a group name that reflects the nature of the project topic they are pursuing as a group – make it professional sounding. Lecture topics address modeling concepts, GIS raster analysis, model evaluation, group decision support, and project management principles to be applied throughout the quarter. Students will make use of GIS concepts and software training as provided in previous GIS courses, as well as learn new ones during project completion. Assignments are structured so that workgroups of 3-4 students develop a single project throughout the quarter. Nine milestones will be used throughout the course to guide groups in managing each group’s time and effort.
