The GIS Center is generally open for use Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm; however, there are times each week when the room is reserved for teaching classes and workshops.  See the calendar below for availability.  If you need access at other times, please contact the Center to make arrangements.

There are a number of courses offered this academic year that will help you acquire and develop GIS and data visualization skills. GIS skills are useful for the rest of your college career and well beyond. You can develop informative and captivating presentations and documents (think capstones, term projects, class presentations) using GIS. Taking some of our courses is the first step!

• ID-210 Introduction to GIS: An introduction to the concepts and principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for computerized mapping and spatial analysis in the social and natural sciences.
• ID-351D Spatial Analysis and Modeling: An advanced GIS course that develops further skills in spatial analysis and other advanced tools, with a focus on applied research with community partners.

Not offered this year, but maybe in the future:

• GE-305 Remote Sensing Earth & Environment: An exploration of methods of remote sensing used in modern observations of Earth processes.
• DS-116A Storytelling: Mapping: This course will explore use of presentation strategies starting with Google Maps and then moving to the popular and powerful ESRI Story Mapping platform. (No prior experience with GIS is necessary.)
• HF-200 004 Mapping Food: A one credit course that explores how foods traveled across time, space, and oceans to transform cultures, cause social conflicts, and ultimately change history. (No prior experience with GIS is necessary.)

Also of interest....

• HI-351D History & Cartography:  This class will engage interdisciplinary scholarship in history, geography and art history to understand how maps can reveal something about not only the peoples, spaces, and times they portray, but also about the societies that create and consume them. (Fulfills social sciences requirement)

GIS is a powerful tool that has a limitless range of application possibilities. GIS is used in numerous academic and professional disciplines for research and everyday business operations. It is an especially powerful tool for decision-making and planning. Here are few examples for how GIS is used:

• Show geographic change over space and time

• Plan effective transportation routes

• Conduct risk assessment

• Site selection

• Map resources 

See Maps We Love at the ESRI website for many more examples!

And here's a link to What is GIS? on ESRI's web site for more information and ideas.