Educational Opportunities

The educational opportunities in GIS at Montana State University are organized around introductory and advanced level courses providing "hands-on" experience for both undergraduate and graduate students. The student, with the help of an advisor, is given the opportunity to develop a program to meet his or her own particular needs and interests. Graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines are presented the opportunity to learn important job skills related to designing and implementing digital geographic databases. More advanced coursework introduces students to various modeling strategies and the use of GIS as an analytic tool in addressing complex spatial problems. Often special opportunites arise for those students interested in gaining job-related skills in a work environment. For example, student internships with Center collaborators may arise or be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a research project with the Geographic Information and Analysis Center may apply for a special scholarship through the Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP). Application forms and more information are available in the USP office, 418 Reid Hall. Interested students can call 994-6833, send , or can visit the USP home page.

BIOL 515 LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
F alternate years, to be offered 2003 4 cr. LEC 2 LAB 2
PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. -- Principles on landscape pattern, change, and function. Application of theory to conservation including population viability, reserve design, multiple-use landscapes. Lab introduces GIS, GPS, and simulation models. For graduate students and motivated undergraduates.

ESCI 310 AERIAL PHOTO INTERPRETATION
F 4 cr. LEC 3 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, and either ESCI 111 or ESCI 112.
-- Interpretation of aerial photographs to obtain quantitative and qualitative information about the physical and cultural geographic features on earth's surface.

GEOG 211 MAP SKILLS
F 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: CS 150.
-- Introduction to fundamental principles, concepts, and quantitative methods of modern cartography, with emphasis on thematic map design. Laboratory exposure to techniques of hand drafting and computer mapping in cartography.

GEOG 305 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS
F 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: CS 150 and GEOG 211.
-- Introduction to fundamental principles and functions in GIS and application of geographical analysis within GIS. Laboratories provide 'Hands On' exposure to GIS packages and analysis of geographic questions.

GEOG 406 GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH METHODS: Offered alternate years. (2 credits)

GEOG 411 ADVANCED GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS
S alternate years, to be offered 2004 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: GEOG 305.
-- GIS methods for managing and describing error links with modeling and spatial and statistical analysis. Operational and management issues arising from scientific application of GIS to resource management.

LRES 325N REMOTE SENSING
F 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: Junior standing.
-- Theory and application of remote sensing, the electromagnetic spectrum, earth-energy interactions, photographic and photogrammetic principles, and operation of multispectral sensors. Applications include basic photo interpretation and satellite image analysis for agriculture, environmental assessment, forestry, geology, rangeland, urban, wildlife, and others.

LRES 357 GPS FUNDAMENTALS & APPLICATIONS IN MAPPING
F 3 cr. LEC 1, LAB 2
PREREQUISITE: LRES 201N and sophomore standing.
-- Theory and application of the global positioning system to mapping in natural resource and land management sciences. Lab and term mapping project include hands-on experience with GPS receives and work with Pathfinder Office (GPS) and ArcView (GIS) software. Students must be proficient with basic computer and file management skills.

LRES 425 ADVANCED REMOTE SENSING
S 3 cr. LEC 2 LAB 1
PREREQUISITE: LRES 325N or consent of instructor.
-- Advanced principles and applications in remote sensing, emphasizing digital image processing techniques. Spectral and spatial image enhancement, advance transformations, image classification, and change detection. Course emphasizes hands-on lab and project work.

LRES 580 SPECIAL TOPICS
On Demand 1 - 4 cr. Maximum 12 cr.
PREREQUISITE: Upper division courses and others as determined for each offering.
-- Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number.

ADVISOR APPROVED UPPER DIVISION ELECTIVES: Students interested in designing their own GIS learning or research project can select from course offerings in GIS-based upper division special topics such as: Individual Problems, Undergraduate Research, Internships, Senior Thesis, or Graduate Thesis.