This course addresses the Homeland Security learning outcomes marked in bold text.

  1. Define and identify vulnerabilities, threats, and hazards
  2. Assess risk
  3. Plan for emergency action
  4. Formulate prevention and mitigation strategies
  5. Organize responses
  6. Manage recovery options
  7. Evaluate effectiveness

Course Objectives

  1. Describe what a GIS is; name the major GIS softwares available; know where to find more information.
  2. Explain the components and functionality of a GIS and the differences between GIS and other information systems.
  3. Explain how spatial information is stored in the computer (including map projections) and the different types of GIS data structures.
  4. Conduct simple spatial analysis using GeoMedia Professional software; design and complete various GIS exercises (data capture, data storage and management, analysis, and presentation).

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Credit Hours: 3.0

Description: This course introduces the basic theory and concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and provides hands-on experience of working with a particular GIS software package (i.e. GeoMedia Professional by Intergraph Corporation) through various exercises.

Pre-requisites: GEOG 256 class or consent of instructor (contact your campus coordinator)

Restrictions/Suggestions: Computer with a high-speed Internet connention. Operating System Note: Microsoft's VISTA is not certified to run on the current version of the GIS software that is used for this course. You must have a computer (or have access to a system) that runs either Windows 2000 or XP!

Course Outline

Refer to the table below for specific information pertaining to your school.
If you are
a student at		 Course name
and number		 Contact
Chicago State University Contact your campus coordinator Dr. Marian Perkins
Assistant Professor
Office: HWH 325
Phone: (773) 995-2233
Eastern Illinois University GEG 3810, Geographic Information Systems I Sue Harvey
Registrar
gsharvey@eiu.edu
(217) 581-3831
Governors State University Contact your campus coordinator Veronica Williams
Director, Extended University
v-williams@govst.edu
708-534-3143
Illinois State University Contact your campus coordinator Dr. Marilyn Morrow
Chair, Health Sciences
mmorrow@ilstu.edu
309-438-8806
Northern Illinois University Introduction to Geographic
Information Systems
GEOG 359		 Linda Traff
Assistant Director, Credit
ltraff@niu.edu
815-753-8735

Cathy Cradduck
Campus Coordinator
ccradduc@niu.edu
815-753-5008
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville Contact your campus coordinator Laura Strom
Registrar
lstrom@siue.edu
618-650-3330
Western Illinois University Contact your campus coordinator Dr. Nancy Parsons
Professor, Health Sciences
NP-Parsons@wiu.edu
309-298-1746