It's time to register for upcoming geospatial technology courses at UMaine at Machias! We'll be offering a variety of introductory, intermediate and advanced courses in GIS and GPS for the upcoming winter session and spring semester. See the list below. All of our courses are available in either online or hybrid formats (hybrid courses combine online learning with occasional weekend sessions). We stress hands-on, applied learning, so the things you learn in UMM GIS classes will be immediately applicable in the workplace. Students receive free ArcGIS software licenses and access to other software and data resources.
This year, we're bringing back the Municipal Applications of GIS course due to popular demand, and we're offering two new courses: Web Maps and Apps and Geostatistics.
If you're not sure whether you meet the prerequisites for the course, please let us know. We can often waive prerequisites for people who have prior education or experience.
GIS 204 Introduction to Global Positioning System- Johnson (Hybrid winter session: Online 12/30-1/17 plus on-campus sessions 1/18 &19)
Students will gain a knowledge of the Global Positioning System, using handheld receivers in the field to navigate and gather local information and entering the data into a computer to make maps. Topics to be covered include the basic principles of the technology, uses of GPS, sources of error, methods used to minimize error and prevent data loss, basic geodesy related to GPS and basic mapping software. Students will do several outdoor, hands-on activities with handheld Garmin and Trimble receivers, as well as mapping activities in the laboratory. They will be assessed on their laboratory worksheets, quizzes and a simple service project. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Windows. Experience with spreadsheets and high school algebra are helpful. 1 Cr Dec 30, 2013- Jan 19, 2014
Spring Semester 2014
GIS 230 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications I - Johnson (Hybrid: Online with 3 Saturday Sessions on 1/25, 3/8, 5/3)
Understanding the fundamentals of a GIS through lecture, readings and computer activities. Students will learn to use a specific GIS software system and to define and complete a simple GIS project using existing data. This computer-intensive course includes a detailed discussion of what a GIS is, why GIS is being increasingly used today, sample applications, basic map concepts, how geographic and descriptive data are stored in the computer, and the steps in a typical GIS project. Project discussions will focus on defining project objectives, building and managing the digital database, identifying the needed data, locating and acquiring the data in digital form, performing the analysis, and presenting results. Prerequisite: knowledge of Windows recommended. 4 Cr Jan 22, 2014- May 10, 2014
GIS 312 Municipal Applications of Geographic Information Systems - Rowan (Hybrid: Online with 3 Saturday Sessions on 2/8, 3/22, 4/26)
This hands-on course provides the basic skills needed to use geographic information systems software, data and analysis to manage municipal land records, support decision-making in local government and create zoning maps. Students will primarily use ArcGIS software, the industry standard, the class will also explore low- and no-cost GIS software appropriate for municipal applications. Students complete a service project for a real-world client, applying course skills and content. The class will include streaming lectures, hands-on lab exercises and real-world assignments and projects. Students must have a computer that meets or exceeds the system requirements for ArcGIS software and has a broadband internet connection, or they must do required exercises and assignments in the laboratory. A one-year student software license is provided. Prerequisite: GIS 230, or permission of instructor. 3 Cr Jan 22, 2014- May 10, 2014
GIS 330 Geographic Information Systems Applications II - Johnson (Hybrid: Online with 3 Saturday Sessions on 2/1, 3/15, 5/10)
This is an intermediate course for students who have had some introduction to GIS. The course focuses on grid-based data models for visualization, modeling and analysis. Assessment will be based on problem sets, lab work and a final project. Readings, assignments, activities and discussions will cover: the raster data model, generating and working with grid data, georeferencing images and grids, basic remote sensing technologies, visualizing raster data sets, interpolation methods for generating continuous surface data, mathematical operations with grid data for spatial analysis, map algebra and grid-based modeling, basic modeling, evaluating and documenting error and uncertainty, ethics and accountability in spatial analysis, modeling and visualization. Prerequisite: GIS 230 GIS Applications I or permission of instructor. 4 Cr Jan 22, 2014- May 10, 2014
GIS 431 Introduction to Geostatistics - Johnson (Online only)
This course introduces the basic principles of geostatistics, including descriptive statistics such as variance and covariance, spatial autocorrelation, distribution and dispersion and spatial trends. Students will also learn advanced methods of estimation with spatial interpolation, as well as methods for analyzing error and uncertainty. The course combines lectures, discussion and laboratory exercises. Students are assessed on problem sets and a simple final project. Prerequisites: GIS 230, GIS 330 and MAT 215, or permission of instructor. 4 Cr Jan 22, 2014- May 10, 2014
GIS 428 Web-Based Maps, Applications & Services - Bistrais (Online only)
This is a practical and applied course covering design and delivery of web and mobile maps and applications, fundamentals of online databases, hosting and serving data and map services and basics of server management. The course will cover a variety of software and server providers, including Esri, Google and open source, focusing mainly on those with the greatest market share and practical value in the workplace. Students will work with services and cloud services in the course, which culminates in a real-world service project. Prerequisite: GIS 230 and GIS 330, or permission of instructor. 3 Cr Jan 22, 2014- May 10, 2014