Unit 4
Technology Applications
Environmental Research 401 DDE 2004
GEOG 401, 1-5 Credit
Instructor: Dr. M. Mustoe, Eastern Oregon University
This syllabus can be found at: http://www.eou.edu/~mmustoe/sgeog410.html
INSTRUCTOR CONTACT: My office is Zabel 203 GIS Lab. E-MAIL me at on internet at: mmustoe@eou.edu.
(EOU ACCOUNTS ONLY)
Telephone 541- WOodland-2 3502. Office Hours: 2:30- 4 PM Pacific Time, or by appointment.
Tap here for Geography In The EAO Catalog. In Class: EXAM SCHEDULES

Overview
This chapter deals with electronic mapping, primarily Geographic Information Systems. Practically speaking it would be difficult to incorporate direct GIS application and use into a course such as this. Partly because of the software restraints and the cost. However, I encourage my geography students to get GIS experience either here at EOU or elsewhere. Why? Because GIS and digital storage of maps is the means of mapping for today. It IS NOT GEOGRAPHY in itself, but rather it assists in practicing and studying geography. The map is an excellent way to convey a spatial message and the digital map of today.....its delivery and manufacture is quick convenient and effective.


(hand/mail these in using the GAP)

UNIT 4 READING
7. Automation in Geographic Research


UNIT FOUR ESSAY QUESTIONS

This set of activities has been modified from the 306 on-line cartography course. If you have taken this course from me you probably recognize it. If so add to your experience and choose some new sites to visit

On Line Web Based Mapping Systems
At the link found HERE you will find an organized sample of web based mapping systems. Choose three of these systems two MRs and one MG or two MGs and one MR (three total) and write a review of each of these systems responding to the following issues:

  • What is the name of the system and who supports and has developed the site?
  • Does the service supplied at the site cost anything other than access time?
  • How intuitive is the operation of the system at the site?
  • How flexible is the data that the site manipulates?
  • How closely does the site emulate a GIS system?
  • Is there tech support evident for the site?
  • What is required, as far as software, to view and operate the site (i.e. browsers, OS, etc)?

Review the following site How a Vegetation Index Works. This page is taken from the Remote Sensing in Agriculture website. An index in remote sensing is a standard that the computer can use to set a standard for "seeing" ground features. The "seeing" here is the "sensing" part in remote sensing. However, the computer software that does the sensing has to be trained to identify what it is "sensing". An index sets that standard by providing the sensing software with reflectance factors of the observable phenomenon.

  • What might be the significance of this type of monitoring in agriculture?
  • What is radiance and why is it important in the establishment of an index.
  • How does areas of green vegetation show up in near-infrared and the red part of the spectrum.

Finally......

If you own a GPS and would like extra credit using your GPS tap here.

END OF ASSIGNMENT