GIS 426 - Community Applications in Geographic Information Systems

Students work together under the instructor’s guidance for a single community client to perform a professional-quality service project using geographic information systems (GIS) as a decision-support and planning tool. Projects might include a town’s comprehensive plan, environmental conservation planning, economic development, recreation planning, emergency response management or similar applications where GIS can assist communities in setting priorities, making choices or planning for the future. Students will be expected to work closely with clients and/or community residents to assess and respond to their needs, answer questions and provide them with maps, data and documentation. In most cases, students will present their findings to the clients or their constituents. Through this work, students learn to plan, manage, execute and document a multi-faceted GIS project, skills with direct applications to the workforce.

Prerequisites: GIS 230 and GIS 330, or permission of instructor.

Course Typically Offered Fall - Alternate Years

Credits: 4