& Student Handbook - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Master Degree Programs 149
RA651
Spatial Analysis of Geohazards Using GIS (1 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA660
Geologic hazards loom all around. As population growth forces more
communities to expand into areas at risk, concern increases about the
danger that geohazards pose to people, property, and the environment.
This course shows how GIS can be used to determine where
geohazards are likely to occur and assess their potential impact on the
human community. Participants work with GIS software to analyze and
map a variety of geohazards. A better understanding of these events is
the first step toward effective disaster planning.
RA653
Natural Resource Risk Assessment and Management (1 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA660
As population growth forces more communities to expand into areas at
risk, concern increases about the danger that geohazards pose to
people, property, and the environment. HAZUS-MH is a powerful, free
ArcGIS extension developed by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) under contract with the National Institute of Building
Sciences. HAZUS-MH works with ArcGIS Desktop to display hazard
data and estimate the impact of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes on
communities (e.g., damage to buildings and lifelines, estimates of
displaced populations and shelter needs, and short- and long-term
economic impacts). In a course project, students apply the skills they’ve
learned throughout the course.
RA654
Introduction to Urban and Regional Planning (1 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA660
For decades, urban and regional planners have used GIS technology
to help find solutions to the challenges posed by increasing population
growth and urban development. This course covers basic urban and
regional planning concepts and tasks and teaches how those tasks can
be managed using GIS techniques and ArcGIS Desktop software.
Students learn how to use ArcGIS tools to address real-world social,
economic, and environmental planning problems. The skills and
techniques presented in the course provide an effective and efficient
means of carrying out urban and regional planning tasks.
RA655
Creating and Integrating Data for Natural Resource
Applications (1 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA660
Frequently, the natural resource data needed for a project (such as
vegetation, species locations, or watersheds) does not exist. Or, the data
may exist but significant manipulation is required before it can be
displayed and used for analysis in a GIS. This four-module course
teaches methods for acquiring, evaluating, creating, manipulating, and
integrating data in preparation for analysis and map creation. Students
learn tips for assembling a high-quality database, as well as best
practice approaches to data problems commonly encountered by those
in the natural resource and conservation fields. In a course project,
students apply the skills they've learned throughout the course.
Elective GIS Courses
RA506
GIS Customization (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA554, RA632 and RA660
This course focuses on customization of a GIS through programming
and scripting languages utilizing VBA (Visual Basic for Applications).
Emphasis of the course is on customization of the ArcGIS software
including modifications of the user interface, and building custom
applications through use of the ESRI COM object library.
RA559
Introduction to Imagery (3 cr.)
This course introduces the use of imagery to resource analysis. It covers
working with aerial photographs, interpreting photos, optical rectification
and zoom transfer. It also examines major satellites in use, acquiring
available imagery and working with those images.
RA560
ArcView (1 cr.)
This course introduces students to the functionality and applications of
the ArcView desktop GIS system. Included are how to access data from
ArcInfo for use, conduct queries, and analysis of data, prepare simple
and complex graphical analyses and presentations integrating maps.
Additionally, learners complete a demographic data analysis using
ArcView.
RA570
Advanced GIS (3 cr.)
Prerequisites: RA554 and RA660
This course builds upon RA554 and emphasizes spatial analysis,
modeling and advanced presentation techniques. Substantial effort is
directed towards developing proficiency with raster cell analysis, as well
as integration of analyses utilizing both vector and raster elements
simultaneously. Advanced presentation techniques involving 3-D
modeling, analytical view shading and more are included. Emphasis is
on the ArcGIS 9.x ArcMap environment.
RA
Directed Studies (1 cr.)
This independent study course is designed to engage students in the
instructor mentored environment. In this instance, the student, mentored
by a university instructor, is encouraged to explore GIS and computermapping
applications in the area of his/her interest.The course
culminates in a written paper and a seminar presented to students of the
university.
Admission Requirements
Applicants may apply for admission to master degree programs at any
time during the year. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate
degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall
grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants must
demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate
coursework. If the grade point average upon admission is below 2.75, or
if a grade point average is not available, or language proficiency is not
adequate, the applicant may be admitted with provisional status.