In recent years the spatial information technologies of GPS (Global Positioning Systems), GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote Sensing have made major advances in both the theoretical and applied basis for studies in the earth sciences. These technologies have become key components of interdisciplinary research and resources management practice. This course is designed to introduce the use of GPS, GIS and Remote Sensing in the ecosystem sciences. In this course each student will participate in the collection of georeferenced field measurements and observations (GPS), importing those spatial data into a GIS, classifying the landcover over the spatial extent of those data from remotely sensed imagery, and analyzing their spatial variability. This applied course is intended to integrate these technologies in an applied setting, and to motivate students to incorporate these tools and techniques in their future work.

This is a graded course.  The grade will be based upon two exams, an individual project, and "team project".  The labs are to be completed by each individual, and while they are NOT graded students are expected to show evidence of completing each lab assignment.

There is one scheduled field trip to the Big Beef Creek Field Station on Hood Canal.  While this trip is not "required" it is highly recommended that students make every effort to participate in this outting.

In the past, we've found that students spend about 1.5 hours each week outside of class in the lab working on the lab exercises.  This increases to about 2+ hours during the last few weeks when working to complete their projects.  Our expectation is that students will put more time into "labs" when the skills they are developing meet some need they have for their individual research or other class assignments.  Therefore, some students will spend a good deal of time in the lab and their projects will often go well beyond what is required for the course.  The instructors are always available to help students complete the labs and design and complete an individual project that matches with the skill level the student hopes to achieve.