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GEOSPATIAL AND CLIMATE CHANGE CENTER (GCCC)



Education

The GCCC faculty offers over ten (10) graduate-level courses and one undergraduate-level course. These courses all have active laboratory components that expose students to geospatial data use, programming, spatial analysis, and modeling. These courses are taught both in-person and online to allow students across the country to be able to enroll.

The GCCC offers a Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Sciences for all students who complete thirteen (13) credit hours of courses within the center. Additionally, Faculty in the GCCC led the development of two Online MS programs, namely Environmental Science and Environmental Management. These programs have been successful over the years and have led to the graduation of several students.

Courses Offered

Introduction to geographic information systems - EVSC 0507.

(Fall Semester, 3 Credits Hour - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

Introductions to GIS concepts, fundamentals of GIS, including managing and processing geographic data, coordinate systems, spatial data analysis, database creation, and cartography. Familiarity with Arc-GIS software. 

Environmental applications in gis - EVSC0517

(Spring Semester, 3 Credits - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

Research applications of GIS with special emphasis on the processing and spatial analysis of natural resources and environmental data. Specific topics will include:  forest management, soils management, water resources, biodiversity conservation, environmental modeling of atmosphere, natural hazards, site suitability analysis and vulnerability assessment.

Remote sensing: principles and applications - EVSC0545

(Fall Semester, 3 Credits - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

The course introduces students to fundamental concepts and principles of remote sensing, including energy sources, electromagnetic radiation, sensor systems, satellite image types including multispectral, hyperspectral, thermal and radar data acquisitions, image resolution types, image processing and classification techniques, ground referencing, and GIS integration. Various satellite remote sensing methods and applications with respect to different academic disciplines and research areas are also covered.

Hydrology and water resources management - EVSC0560

(Spring Semester, 3 Credits - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

Students will be taught and introduced to the theories and principles of hydrologic cycle, hydrologic systems, hydrologic processes, surface and ground water, hydrologic measurement and analysis. Students will study the various types of point and nonpoint sources of pollution and the transportation and fate of pollutants. Particular emphasis is placed on NPS associated with urban and agricultural activities which end up in surface and ground water runoff, and how they impact water quality. Surface and ground water pollution in diverse aquatic systems including stream, river, lake, reservoir, and estuarine environments are considered. Students are exposed to a variety of structural and non-structural management practices for pollution control, Geospatial Information Systems and hydrologic modeling approaches for watershed management.

Agrometeorology - EVSC0570

(Fall Semester, 3 Credits - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

Agrometeorology, also referred to as agricultural meteorology, is an interdisciplinary science in which principles of meteorology, climatology, and hydrology that are significant to agriculture owing to their interaction are applied to agricultural systems. The aim of Agrometeorology is to apply climatological information for the purposes of improving farming practices and increasing agricultural productivity in both quantity and in quality.

Climate change & climate modeling - EVSC0610

(Spring Semester, 3 Credits - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

The modeling of past, present and future climates is of fundamental importance to the issue of climate change and variability. Climate Change and Climate Modeling provides a solid foundation for science students in all disciplines for our current understanding of global warming and important natural climate variations and lays out the essentials of how climate models are constructed.

Soil Genesis and Classification - PLSS 0425

(Fall Semester, 3 Credit Hour - 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab)

Courses takes students through the theory and practice of soil classification and survey, soil morphology and composition, soil genesis processes and reactions, soil taxonomy, and soils types for different regions. Students will also be trained in the methods of soil morphology and survey and to familiarize the student with the principles of soil taxonomy and the soil classification systems used in the United States, Western Europe, USSR and developing countries. Students will also be introduced to computer-based GIS analysis of soil database and soil mapping analysis.

Biostatistics I- EVSC 500 (undergraduate course)

(Fall Semester, 3 Credit Hour, Lecture: 2, Lab: 3)

Statistical methods in scientific research. An introductory course in statistics dealing with the application of various methods of analyzing research data to include sampling, randomization, the normal distribution, “t” test, linear regression, correlation, Chi-Square, and analysis of variance of random design. Laboratory assignments require the use of pocket calculators and the University’s time share computer.

Special problems in Agricultural Economics- AGEC 630.

Credits: 1-3 , Semester: 1st and 2nd Semester. 1-Summer.

Special studies for graduate students in agricultural and resource economics. A presentation of topics not in regularly offered courses.

Prerequisite(s): Permission of Instructor.

Biostatistics II- EVSC 501 (Graduate course)

Credits: 3, Semester: 1st Semester, Lecture: 2, Lab: 3

The application of advanced statistical methods in analyzing biological data to include analysis of two-way experiments, factorial experiments, covariance analysis, least-square analysis with unequal subclass numbers and curvilinear regression. Laboratory assignments require the use of the University’s time share computer and departmental microcomputers.

Quantitative Method- AGEC 615 (Econometrics for graduate students)

Credits: 3, Semester: 1st Semester, Lecture: 3

Statistical methods and their applications: probability density and distribution functions as background studying principles of economic models analyses; prediction problems, programming, scheduling and network; special topics of current interest

Prerequisite(s): AGEC 0553; ECON 0352, ECON 0353.