Course Name		Under-graduate Course #		Graduate Course #		Delivery		Pre-requisite		Description
Introduction to Geospatial Science and GIS (GIS I)		GIS 200		GIS 500		Ground				This course provides students with an introduction to the theory and practice of spatial science.  Fundamental concepts include geodesy, coordinate systems and projections, basic computer science, the scientific method.  Students will gain basic competency in the use of GIS, GPS, remote sensing hardware and software packages and learn to apply these skills in coordination with the scientific method to solve problems/answer questions.  This course will meet for 2 credit hours of lecture and 1 credit hour of lab each week.
Fundamentals in GIS		GIS 201		GIS 501		Online				An introduction to the integration of the foundational components of geo-spatial information science and technology into a geographic information system (GIS).  The components are the fundamentals of geodesy, GPS, cartographic design and presentation, image interpretation, and spatial statistics/analysis.
Applications of geospatial technologies in society		GIS 205				Online				A broad introduction to geospatial technology and its applications. Basic concepts involved in remote sensing, photogrammetry, geographic information system (GIS), global positioning system (GPS), and attending technologies in support of decision making in a range of applications. Illustrates the utility of these technologies for scientists, government agencies, businesses, and the public at large. Case studies include an examination of the potential social and polical implications such diverse areas as: agricultural competitiveness, water resource management, site selection, emergency preparedness, urban growth management, and public health using geospatial technologies.
Digital Image Processing I		GIS 211				Online		MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry) or equivalents		The art and science of digital image processing of satellite and aircraft-derived remotely-sensed data for resource management, including how to extract biophysical information from remote sensor data for almost all multidisciplinary land-based environmental projects is presented. Includes the fundamental principles of digital image processing applied to remotely sensed data.
Aerial Photographic Interpretation		GIS 221				Online		MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry) or equivalents		Introduction to the principles and techniques utilized to interpret aerial photography. Emphasis is on interpreting analog photographs visually in a range of application areas; also includes an introduction to acquiring and analyzing aerial photographic data digitally.
Photogrammetry I		GIS 231				Online		MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry) or equivalents		Provides the fundamental principles of photogrammetry.  Topics introduced include: a review of photogrammetry developments and processes, methods for obtaining aerial photographs including cameras and camera calibration, image coordinate measurement and refinement, correction of lens distortion, principal point offset, atmospheric refraction Earth curvature distortion scale and relief displacement in vertical and tilted photographs.  Finally, a review of geometry of single and overlapping photographs is provided.
Advanced GIS (GIS II)		GIS 310		GIS 510		Ground		GIS 200 or 201 (Intro GIS) or equivalent		Students will gain advanced concepts about GIS techniques and the underlying spatial data structures used by geographic information systems (GIS).  Introductory materials for this course will stress conceptual and practical understanding of computer science as it applies two topical areas: raster vs. vector data formats and single-user vs multi-user GIS environments.  This knowledge will support subsequent instruction in advanced spatial analysis and manipulation techniques.  Student understanding of theory will be pressed into action through a series of practical assignments that emphasize both concepts and technical skills required to manipulate and analyze spatial datasets.  The grad student section will have an additional research component.
Digital Image Processing II		GIS 311		GIS 511		Online		GIS 211 (Dig Im Proc I), GIS 221 (Air Photo Interp) or equivalents		Advances in science and technology in aerial and satellite image processing and pattern recognition are presented. Principals and applications address real-world situations and problems.   Topics include: Advanced Classification - Object-oriented image analysis;Classification - Spectral, Spatial, Contextual; Orthorectification (terrain)- Aerial -Film, Digital - Satellite, Medium resolution, High resolution; Hyperspectral Data Processing -Display, Information Extraction; Advanced Methods and Models for Atmospheric Correction; Change Detection - Advanced methods, Accuracy assessment; Advanced Spatial Filtering- Spatial domain, Frequency domain (e.g., Fourier, wavelets); Wavelet Applications Image data fusion, Image data compression; Empirical Modeling of Biophysical Parameters (e.g., spatial and non-spatial regression).
GIS and Community		GIS 320		GIS 520		Ground		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I) or equivalent		This course focuses on the utilization of Geographic Information Systems for resolving socio-economic issues, with a focus on public involvement and participation. Students are expected to gain an understanding about the use of GIS and allied technologies in resolving issues in governance, healthcare, crime, and resource management through public participation case studies and practical exercises.  The student will acquire skills in using both tabular and spatial data for problem analysis within a GIS platform, with the latest version of ESRI ArcGIS (9.0) software.  The grad student section will have an additional research component.
Spatial solutions to natural resources issues		GIS 330		GIS 530		Ground		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I) or equivalent		This course focuses on the utilization of Geographic Information Systems and remote sensing for resolving issues in natural resource through a management approach. Students are expected to gain an understanding about the use of GIS and allied technologies in resolving issues involving oil and gas, mining, forestry, air, water and land pollution, planning, diversity and conservation through case studies and practical exercises.  The student will acquire skills in using both tabular and spatial data for problem analysis within a GIS platform, with the latest version of ESRI ArcGIS (9.0) software.  The grad student section will have an additional research component.
Geospatial Data Synthesis and Modeling		GIS 361				Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), MAT 300 (Statistics) or equivalents		Detailed conceptual and analytical methods, and the knowledge to support synthesis  and modeling of Geospatial data in the solution of scientific and policy problems.    Topics include: Ground control - GPS Spectrophotometer; Remote sensing vs. GIS data models - Fields vs. objects; Integration issues - Data types and sealing, Spatial anticorrelation, Modifiable units of resolution, Processing differences, Artifacts from processing, Multiple layers, temporal, metadata; Modeling tools - Integrated raster / vector environment; Geostatistics / spatial statistics; Simulation, visualization and animation, Monte Carlo and other locations; Applications -  Land cover change models, Watershed models, AGNPS, Weather forecasting.
Decision Support Systems		GIS 371				Online		GIS 200 or 201 (Intro GIS), REM 310 or 311(Remote Sensing) or equivalents		The course contains information about Decision Support Systems (DSS) from a general data processing point of view. The course presents background in the decision making process and then guides the students through the design of system to support the analysis of multiple criteria used in the decision making process. The major components of the course are divided into three major sections: Elements of decision analysis, Evaluation of multiple criterion, alternative, and decision rules, and Evaluation of outcomes and alternatives.
Community Growth		GIS 381				Online		GIS 221 (Aerial Photo Interp) or equivalent		The use of remote sensing and GIS technologies to facilitate urban planning and infrastructure development for community growth. Topics include: urban growth, the effect of urbanization on local and regional environments, the impact of urbanization on the biophysical characteristics that influence human health, urban growth and economic development, public health and safety, traffic and transportation infrastructure, and quality of the life.
Topographic Mapping		GIS 391				Online		GIS 231 (Photogrammetry I), REM 310 or 311 (Remote Sensing) or equivalents		The fundamental concepts and methods of topographic mapping.  Topics include: the role of mapping in ancient and modern society, the nature of maps and the basic of principles coordinate systems and map projections, data collection techniques including: land surveying techniques, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and remote sensing data collection, cartographic operations, methods of graphic communication and techniques for labeling, generalization and map conflation, Operations for image maps enhancement and raster data processing, Digital Elevation Models (DEM) and surface modeling, Triangular Irregular Network (TIN) and Grid data structures including various interpolation techniques to reconstruct digital surfaces from measured points, tools to visualize and analyze topographic data including: contouring, shaded relief and 3D visualization methods, slope and aspect computation, and decision making using spatial database.
Photogrammetry II		GIS 431		GIS 531		Online		MAT 442 (Linear algebra) or 3D Vector and Matrix Algebra, Statistics (as equivalency),  GIS 231 (Photogrammetry I) or equivalents		Advanced photogrammetric systems for production of highly accurate digital map products and three-dimensional representations for use and modeling, for example, in GIS environments.  Demonstrates how to use a complex mathematical photogrammetric framework to implement  practical applications.  The application of  photogrammetric principles to real mapping problems.  Analytical and softcopy photogrammetry as well a practical introduction to  commercial photogrammetry.
Artificial Intelligence and Geoprocessing		GIS 441		GIS 541		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), GIS 211 (Intro Dig Image Proc), MAT 104 (Algebra) or equivalents		The artificial intelligence theory, principles and applications specific to geospatial processing and analysis in the fields of both remote sensing and geographic information systems.   Topics include:  Expert Systems;  Semantic Networks;  Neural Networks; Genetic Algorithms; Fuzzy Logic;  Dempster-Shafer Theory; Geospatial Data Fusion; AI-guided Image Segmentation;  Image Classification; Geospatial Decision Support Systems.  Case studies  serve to illustrate real world applications of the theory and principles of AI to geospatial problems. The application of AI software tools to remote sensing and GIS data.
Business Geographics		GIS 451		GIS 551		Online		GIS 221 (Aerial Photo Interp), GIS 361 (Geo Data Syn and Modeling) or equivalents		Key concepts in the field of business geographics including motivation for using geospatial technology in business applications, the different geographic data sets available for use by business analysts, and modeling of spatial data for business applications.  The use of actual GIS software in the context of business geographic applications, the basic theory behind the techniques,  practical skills using hands-on applications are provided.
Geospatial Mathematics, Algorithms and Statistics		GIS 461		GIS 561		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), GIS 361 (Geospatial Data Syn & Modeling), MAT 441 (Introductory & Multivariate Stats); REM 310 or 311 (Remote Sensing) or equivalents		This is a geostatistics and geomathematics course, presenting the underlying principles and theory of GIS operations (raster, vector or other data models), such as surface analysis, interpolation, network analysis, path optimization, topology, etc.  Topics include:  Nature of Grid-based Mapped Data; Fundamental Spatial Analysis Procedures; Basic Concepts and Procedures in GIS Modeling; Basic Concepts and Procedures in Surface Modeling, Basic Concepts in Spatial Data Mining Future Directions.
Programming GIS with Visual Basic and Python		GIS 470		GIS 570		Ground		GIS 300 (GIS II) or equivalent		This course is intended as an in-depth look at the programming within Geographic Information Systems. The focus will be on GIS programming and methodology, utilizing practical GIS software skills and basic scientific computing skills. A laboratory component to the course will utilize ArcGIS, ArcObjects, and Visual Basic to demonstrate the concepts presented in lecture.
GIS for the Internet and Spatial Databases		GIS 480		GIS 580		Ground		GIS 300 (GIS II) or equivalent		The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of how Internet GIS and spatial databases work and to help them develop the skills requisite for success in this field.
GIS Capstone		GIS 490		GIS 590		Ground		GIS 300 (GIS II) or equivalent		The success of cooperative educational institutions that partner with industry and government for the training of future employees and the transfer of technology is well demonstrated by institutions such as the Rochester Institute of Technology, CalTech, MIT, and others.  Cooperative education programs provide employers with prospective employees trained in the latest techniques and educational institutions with motivated students and financial backing.  In completing the required two semesters of this course, students will gain practical knowledge about the use of GIS in an area of their interest.  Assessment will be based primarily upon feedback from program cooperators and the final presentation of their project
Sensors and Platforms		REM 305		REM 505		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I); PHY 231 and 232 (General Physics) or equivalents		Basic design attributes of imaging sensor systems and the platforms on which they operate.  An introduction to cameras, scanners, and radiometers operating in the ultraviolet, visible, infrared and microwave regions of the spectrum.  The approach is historical showing the evolutionary trends in sensor technology from 1960 to the present - revealing the heritage of modern sensors.  Aerial platforms including fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, UAV and balloons in addition to satellite platforms are also covered.
Remote Sensing		REM 315		REM 515		Ground		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), PHY 231 and 232 (General Physics), MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry) or equivalents		Remote sensing has proven one of the most important technological advancements of the twentieth century. It promises to be equally important in the twenty-first as well. Remote sensing holds scores of applications, for fields such as geography, geology, archeology, history, urban planning, and etc. Remote sensing technologies have become increasingly utilized in virtually every sphere, from the public, private, to the national security realm as well. This course will seek to provide students an understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles behind remote sensing.
Remote Sensing		REM 316		REM516		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), PHY 231 and 232 (General Physics), MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry) or equivalents		Definition of Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing Concepts and Principles,  Principles of Electromagnetic Radiation, Wave Theory, Particle Theory, Energy Sources and Blackbody Concept, Energy Interaction with the Atmosphere and Earth Surface Features, Basic Considerations in Undertaking a Remote Sensing Project, Photographic Data Acquisition, Elementary Photogrammetric Principles and Analyses,Introduction to Aerial Photographic Interpretation, Introduction to Electo-optical, Microwave, and Lidar Remote Sensing Systems, Comparing Photographic and Non-photographic Remote Sensing Systems, Multispectral, Thermal, and Hyperspectral Sensing , Earth Resource Satellites Operating in the Optical Spectrum, Microwave and Lidar Sensing, Radar System Principles and Operation, Digital Image Data Sources and Storage, Image Rectification and Restoration, Image Enhancement, Image Classification, Data Merging and Use of Image Data in Modeling.
Orbital Mechanics		REM 401		REM 501		Online		MAT 205 and 206 (Calculus), PHY 231 and 232 (General Physics) or equivalents		Uses elementary principles of mathematics, physics, and mechanics to introduce  traditional science required to place a spacecraft into orbit, keep it there, determine its position, and maneuver it.  Course provides a basic understanding of orbital mechanics. Simple principles  of the process are introduced to allow for understanding the more complex details of launching, tracking, maneuvering, and maintaining spacecraft orbits in daily operations.
Remote Sensing of the Environment		REM 411		REM 511		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), GIS 211 (Dig. Image. Proc I), REM 301 (Sensors and Platforms) or equivalents		A review of environmental mapping, monitoring and management techniques is provided, the principles and practice of environmental mapping, environmental surveys and the preparation of environmental impact statements.  The role of geospatial technology is examined. Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) are used together to analyze data are demonstrated as powerful tools in environmental research. Mapping, monitoring and modeling environmental systems using remote sensing and GIS technologies to provide the essential geographic component of these activities forms the major focus of the laboratory activity.
Information Extraction using Microwave Data		REM 421		REM 521		Online		GIS 200 or 201 (GIS I), REM 301 (Sensors and Platforms) or equivalents		Presents the basic concepts, theory and applications of microwave remote sensing.  Topics include:  Unique aspects of microwave radiation, passive microwave, pundamental principles of microwave (active), Synthetic Aperture Radar, backscatter principles and models, interferometry, phase relationships, processing radar data, environmental influences on radar returns and applications of these principles are presented.
Information Extraction using Multi-, Hyper-, Ultra-spectral Data		REM 431		REM 531		Online		PHY 231 and 232 (Physics), GIS 211 (Dig Image Proc I), REM 301 (Sensors and Platforms) or equivalents		Information is the most significant product that is extracted from a remote sensing investigation and optical sensors measuring the visible and near infrared (VNIR) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum have been one of the most prolific producers of image data.  This course addresses the two main components of a VNIR remote sensing study: preparation of the imagery and information extraction techniques for both multi-spectral and hyper-spectral imagery.
Advanced Sensor Systems and Data Collection		REM 441		REM 541		Online		PHY 231 and 232 (Physics), REM 301 (Sensors and Platforms) or equivalents		The newest active and passive sensors including advanced synthetic aperture radar, lidar, radiometers, spectrometers, microwave sounders, advanced hyperspectral sensors, and the advanced platforms which carry these sensors are presented. The mathematical theory behind sensors such as RADAR, LIDAR, and synthetic aperture radar interferometry operations and will illustrate sensors and platforms using as examples the current advanced sensors aboard satellites such as ENVISAT, GRACESAT, and ADEOS I and II.  Operation of advanced aircraft and balloon payloads such as TOP HAT and BOOMERANG are also investigated.
Applications of Remote Sensing to Ecological Modeling		REM 451		REM 551		Online		PHY 202, or BIO 111 or 201 or 449, REM 310 or 311 (Remote Sensing) or equivalents		Techniques and applications of remote sensing to a broad spectrum of issues related to ecological modeling are presented. Topics include: components of an ecosystem and interactions among those components, the suite of data sets available for mapping terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, ecosystem metrics that can be derived from the latter data, and methods for modeling individual species, multiple species, communities, and ecosystems, opportunities for applying remote sensing data and the constraints on its use, the use of applications to guide ecological assessments, decision-making, and adaptive management. Concepts are reinforced with case studies at multiple spatial and temporal levels.
Forestry Monitoring & Management		REM 461		REM 561		Online		REM 310 or 311 (Remote Sensing), BIO 449 or Forest Management, or equivalents		Fundamental principles of photographic and non-photographic remote sensing, the application of these principles to specifically detect, map, measure, and monitor forest tree, stand, and canopy attributes. Other topics include: multi-sensor applications in forestry and natural resources monitoring, historical development of remote sensing in forestry;  biophysical and reflectance properties of forest types; photogrammetric and photo interpretation principles; forest mapping non-photographic sensor systems including their particular advantages in forest applications; forest monitoring at the local, regional and global level; and forest resource information systems for decision support, the integration of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) in forest monitoring and forest information systems for decision support.
Agricultural Applications in Remote Sensing		REM 471		REM 571		Online		MAT 104 (Algebra) and 105 (Trigonometry), CHE 100 or 101 (Chemistry), PHY 231 and 232 (General Physics) or equivalents		The applications of remote sensing, global positioning system technologies and geographic information systems (GIS) for the management and conservation of soil, vegetation and water resources that are important to agricultural production; the use of these technologies for inventorying and monitoring agricultural conditions for improving the information base on a local, regional and global basis; and for decision-making in the management of agricultural conditions at different spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions.
Land Use and Land Cover Applications		REM 481		REM 581		Online		REM 310 or 311 (Remote Sensing) or equivalent		The fundamental issues in creating, updating, assessing, and using land cover and land use information that has been derived from remotely sensed data. Topics include: brief histories of land use and land cover information; data exploration and image classification; detecting change in land use and land cover;  Accuracy and assessment of land use and land cover; information is also examined, including a discussion on analysis systems.  The course also addresses the use of information for predictions of the impact of future decisions and prescriptions for best land management practices and goals.  Concepts are illustrated with detailed real world case studies and student exercises.
Remote Sensing of Water		REM 491		REM 591		Online		None		An overview of how satellite remote-sensing technologies may be used for the study and monitoring of surface waters (rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands). The remote sensing of snow and ice is also covered. Topics include: an overview of the societal and scientific importance of surface water, including pressing issues, linkages to climate and biogeochemical cycles, and the hydrologic cycle, satellite remote sensing fundamentals including physics of the electromagnetic spectrum, solar and atmospheric effects and resolution trade-offs,  passive remote sensing of thermal and microwave energy, and RADAR and LIDAR active remote sensing technologies, common hydrologic and water resource applications for observing inundation extent, certain aspects of water quality, watershed characteristics, river hydraulics, floodplain dynamics, and snow cover from space.