Instructor: Steven Manson, Department of Geography Office: 473 Social Sciences, West Bank Phone: (612) 625-4577 Email: manson "at" umn.edu Office hours: see the teaching page Prerequisites: Geog 3561/5561 or equivalent or instructor consent Course URL: hegis.umn.edu/geog8292 Credit: 3 units
Class meetings:  Tues 930a-1200p, (Blegen Hall 445, West Bank), Fall 2009. After this offering, the course is tentatively scheduled for Spring 2010 (see site) and then Spring 2011. Materials: All readings are available for free in electronic format.

Subject. Spatial analysis and modeling involves the use of mathematical and computational methods in conjunction with spatial data to explore explore human and environmental systems.

Students. Students in this course come from across the social, natural, and information sciences with no clear majority in any one area. Disciplines represented range from conservation biology and ecology to anthropology and geography to bioinformatics and computer science to veterinary science, public health, and public policy. This distribution makes for a lively meeting of the minds. The course is oriented towards MGIS, Masters, or PhD students.

Purpose. This course expands on aspects of GIS, statistics, and modeling covered by introductory or advanced GIS classes. It provides an overview of a variety of techniques used in spatial analysis and modeling, not only examining their technical nature but also their larger conceptual dimensions and societal ramifications.

Goals. Students who successfully complete this course will better understand a number of spatial analysis and modeling approaches. Depending on student orientation, this course can be used to gain insight into the technical underpinnings of spatial analysis for use on the job, complement on-going research in statistics and modeling, or give essential background knowledge on methodological, theoretical, and policy dimensions of spatial analysis.

Prerequisites. In keeping with the prerequisites, students should be proficient in GIS. Students may also find it helpful, but not necessary, to have some background in statistics, calculus, and probability theory.

Structure. This is an intensive seminar focused on reading and discussion in class and an independent project conducted outside of class meetings. This is a classic graduate seminar and there is no direct instruction offered in GIS software or spatial analysis tools. This course has a substantial reading load, student-led presentations, and a literature review project that balances synthesis and research. Regular participation in class discussion is essential to a successful learning experience.