A Broad Course DesignObjectives, curriculum, and assessments have been crafted to allow non-geologic projects and applications.

A Broad Course DesignObjectives, curriculum, and assessments have been crafted to allow non-geologic projects and applications.

Developing Accessible InformationUsing GPS units to track progress during a recent extended field trip, students were able to integrate spatial information with their field notes, and will be able to create maps of their experience.

Developing Accessible InformationUsing GPS units to track progress during a recent extended field trip, students were able to integrate spatial information with their field notes, and will be able to create maps of their experience.

PurposeThe GIS-GPS (GEOL 360) course is viewed as an important requirement for our Geology department majors, not only for the enhancement of communication skills but for the analytical power of Geographic Information Systems as well. In addition, we hope to expand the number of students who leave the university with skills in GIS.

PurposeThe GIS-GPS (GEOL 360) course is viewed as an important requirement for our Geology department majors, not only for the enhancement of communication skills but for the analytical power of Geographic Information Systems as well. In addition, we hope to expand the number of students who leave the university with skills in GIS. GEOL 360

GIS/GPS – Fall 2007 Syllabus Highlights Lecture: 9:30 - 11:50 am Tuesday Laboratory: 10:30 am - 12:20 pm Thursday Required Textbook:

Price, M. (2004). Mastering ArcGIS. New York: McGraw-Hill. Course Objectives

1. Gain knowledge of the wide range of utilities for desktop GIS. 2. Develop skills necessary to utilize desktop GIS to study and analyze situations. 3. Gain experience creating high-quality maps and charts using GIS. 4. Plan and execute a GIS project. 5. Develop a better appreciation of God as Creator.

Assessments Exams will include objective and essay questions as well as oral, visual, take-home, and quantitative (problem-solving) questions. Learn to conceptualize material. It is the best way to remember information. Labs There are 12 scheduled lab sessions which will provide you with opportunities to develop and improve your skills utilizing the ArcView GIS software. There will also be field experiences, problem-solving, and data enhancement and interpretation. SPECIAL PROJECT An individual or small group GIS project is required. To get started on your project read about

the example GIS Project in your textbook, a case study on the Canada Thistle. Your project

must have a well-defined scale and timeframe. Here are the important dates for you to

remember:

Submit your topic by September 10 Project proposal is due September 24 (see textbook, pg 10 – 13) Progress reports due Oct. 8, 22, Nov. 5, & 19 Presentations Dec. 4 & 6 200 points (worth 2 exam grades)

Basic steps to get started: Decide on a topic of interest. Formulate a specific question to be

answered or product to be prepared. Decide on a model (approach). Determine the data needed

and confirm availability of the data you will need! Write your proposal.

Wasauksing First Nation, near Parry Sound, Ontario

ONU Environmental science student named as a recipient of the 2006-2007 I llinois GIS Association Outstanding Student award

Robert Hegna, a senior environmental science

major at Olivet Nazarene University,

completed a unique summer internship with

the Canaveral National Park working with sea

turtles along the Canaveral Shoreline.

To track the sea turtles, Hegna developed the

usage of GIS to track sea turtles. “GIS is a

very powerful tool we can use to help further

protect sea turtles,” he says. He used the

technology to track which nests predators

attacked. “I had just taken the GIS class at

Olivet with Prof. Skalac,” he continues. “Using the skills I learned there, I was able to do all this.” He

further trained the resource manager and crew to continue with GIS after he left.

Hegna plans to continue his education after graduation. He would like to take part in crocodilian

research and receive his Ph.D. in biology.

ONU Environmental science student named as a recipient of the 2006-2007 I llinois GIS Association Outstanding Student award

Robert Hegna, a senior environmental science

major at Olivet Nazarene University,

completed a unique summer internship with

the Canaveral National Park working with sea

turtles along the Canaveral Shoreline.

To track the sea turtles, Hegna developed the

usage of GIS to track sea turtles. “GIS is a

very powerful tool we can use to help further

protect sea turtles,” he says. He used the

technology to track which nests predators

attacked. “I had just taken the GIS class at

Olivet with Prof. Skalac,” he continues. “Using the skills I learned there, I was able to do all this.” He

further trained the resource manager and crew to continue with GIS after he left.

Hegna plans to continue his education after graduation. He would like to take part in crocodilian

research and receive his Ph.D. in biology.

Broadening the Applicability of Geosciences via a GIS CoursePriscilla Skalac

Department of Physical Sciences, Olivet Nazarene University

BackgroundThe GIS-GPS course at Olivet Nazarene University has been offered by the Geology Department, in one form or another, since 1997. The course was offered once each year to accommodate the department’s majors. Few non-majors elected to take the course since it was not required. As part of the department’s program review, the faculty identified the GIS course as an opportunity to serve a broader portion of the student body. The applicability of GIS to the domains of education, business, communications, marketing, engineering, et cetera, makes it a natural elective for a number of non-majors.

BackgroundThe GIS-GPS course at Olivet Nazarene University has been offered by the Geology Department, in one form or another, since 1997. The course was offered once each year to accommodate the department’s majors. Few non-majors elected to take the course since it was not required. As part of the department’s program review, the faculty identified the GIS course as an opportunity to serve a broader portion of the student body. The applicability of GIS to the domains of education, business, communications, marketing, engineering, et cetera, makes it a natural elective for a number of non-majors.

Marketing In the early spring of 2007 as pre-registration for Fall classes approached, an “advertisement” for the course was placed in the university’s electronic weekly bulletin.

The course is scheduled for the Fall 2007 semester and the new approach has yielded a pre-registration student enrolment of 14, the highest for any previous semester.

Marketing In the early spring of 2007 as pre-registration for Fall classes approached, an “advertisement” for the course was placed in the university’s electronic weekly bulletin.

The course is scheduled for the Fall 2007 semester and the new approach has yielded a pre-registration student enrolment of 14, the highest for any previous semester.

NEED ANOTHER HOUR?

A great course with applications to just about every

major and career is offered this Fall: GEOL 360

Geographic Information Systems-Global Positioning

Systems- 3hours credit, 2:00-2:50 WF and 9:30-11:50

Tu. GIS and GPS are used in almost every business

and governmental agency because of the powerful

ability to locate and map everything from McDonald's

to mountains. You learn how to create exciting

graphic presentations that can be layered to show

almost anything you can imagine- such as churches

closest to schools, art shops near scenic locations,

soils that produce better crops, and whatever you can

think of! Prerequisite: a lab science. Get a step ahead

of the competition in your field with GIS! For more

information contact Dr. Kevin Brewer, ext. 5632.

Beyond the ClassroomStudents are encouraged to seek a variety of ways to apply their acquired skills after the course.

Beyond the ClassroomStudents are encouraged to seek a variety of ways to apply their acquired skills after the course.