Geospatial Science (GSS)

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Read more about the courses within this subject prefix in the descriptions provided below.

GSS 800 - Elements of Geospatial Science

Credits: 4

This on-line course lays the foundation for Geospatial Science (GSS) thinking by exploring the definition, methods, data types, data sources, software, and equipment used within the field of GSS. The importance and structure of the regional GSS industry is discussed with emphasis on how GSS is used across multiple disciplines. Course includes some guest lectures from industry professionals. Lectures and tests are conducted on-line. Students are required to download and install some software and data to complete assignments.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

GSS 805 - Applied Geographic Information Systems

Credits: 4

This course teaches concepts and applied techniques of Geographic Information System technologies to solve real world Geospatial Science problems across multiple disciplines. Technical topics covered include geospatial data collection, management, analysis, scripting, visualization, and 3D mapping. Student hands-on-lab and independent exercises use the latest version of the world's most popular professional GIS software, ArcGIS Pro. Development and implementation of independent projects are completed by students to forward their professional, academic, or research interests.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

GSS 815 - Online GIS and Web Mapping

Credits: 2

This asynchronous course focuses on using online Geographic Information System (GIS) and web mapping solutions in real world scenarios across multiple disciplines. Online tools will be used to acquire, manage, assess, and visualize geospatial data. Course work will integrate web-based applications that focus on the development and use of Web Services, Web Maps, Storymaps, Mobile Applications, Dashboards, and Geospatially Enabled Web Pages. Special emphasis is placed on hands-on assignments using the ESRI suite of ArcGIS Online software applications for project development and completion. Students are encouraged to incorporate professional interests or graduate research work into their final project.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Proficiently use ArcGIS On-Line and other web and mobile geospatial software and applications.
  2. Articulate the needs and uses of online GIS and web mapping applications across disciplines.
  3. Apply the key concepts, definitions, and nomenclature of online GIS and web mapping applications.
  4. Gather and use geospatial data for use within online GIS and web mapping applications via geospatial survey tools and on-line data archives.
  5. Complete geospatial data management and analysis using an online GIS.
  6. Discuss and create web-mapping applications and data visualizations.

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GSS 825 - Applied Geospatial Programming

Credits: 3

This course will explore the fundamentals of geospatial scripting using the Python programming language and ArcGIS Pro software to facilitate automated and more efficient methods for GIS data collection, management, assessment, analysis, visualization, and dissemination. A variety of real world code examples will be provided to students as a foundation for the completion of course work. Emphasis will be placed on the completion of weekly assignments and the construction of a final project code book to provide students with a reference for future geospatial scripting work.

Prerequisite(s): GSS 805 with a minimum grade of B- or NR 860 with a minimum grade of B-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Articulate the needs and uses of geospatial modeling and scripting methods across disciplines.
  2. Discuss and apply the key concepts, definitions, and nomenclature of geospatial scripting methods.
  3. Proficiently use the ESRI ArcGIS Pro ArcPy and other python programming libraries.
  4. Proficiently use integrated programming environments such as Jupyter Notebooks.
  5. Proficiently use new ESRI programming Assistant tool to aid in the development of code.
  6. Proficiently use python functions for the automation of geospatial data collection, management, and analysis, and for the creation of maps, web-maps, and data visualizations.

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GSS 827 - Applied Drone Remote Sensing

Credits: 2

Within this course, students will learn concepts and applied methods of Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV) drone operations for remotely sensing and mapping characteristics of the natural environment. Concepts to be covered include the types, costs, and uses of various UAVs and UAV sensor systems for scientific remote sensing. Learned skills will include flight operations, aerial photo and video acquisitions, imagery registration, mosaicking, data processing (true color, multispectral, thermal, and LiDAR data), image classification, data analysis, and 2D and 3D visualizations. Students will utilize class-provided, hands-on UAVs and UNH computer installed software to complete daily exercises. Final projects will include a UAV remote sensing analysis of a local landscape. No previous UAV experience required. Class and project work will be conducted inside and outside, pending good weather.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes

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  1. Apply the key theories, concepts, definitions, and terminology of Unoccupied Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technologies.
  2. Have a strong knowledge of the types and uses of UAVs and UAV Sensor Systems across multiple disciplines.
  3. Discuss topics on good use practices of UAV Remote Sensing technologies.
  4. Utilize UAV flight planning, Image Processing, and GIS software for UAV remote sensing purposes.
  5. Become familiar with hands-on UAV operations and remotely sensed areal data collection.
  6. Understand how to register UAV acquired imagery to real world coordinates using ground control points and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies.
  7. Have the ability to create products such as digital elevation models, land-cover classifications, and final map products from UAV derived imagery.
  8. Build and implement a full UAV data collection, image processing, and mapping workflow from start to finish.

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GSS 867 - Surveying and Geospatial Field Methods

Credits: 4

This lecture and lab course teaches the concepts and applied techniques for use in traditional and modern geospatial field work preparation and data collection. Hands-on training in traditional ground survey methods (i.e. survey calculations, traverses, total stations) will be complemented by training in modern global positional systems (GPS), ground and handheld LiDAR units, in-field graphic user interface (GUI) feature editing using ESRI GIS Field Maps software, and environmental sensor deployments. Students will also learn how to transfer and use collected data in GIS and Web Mapping software for further analysis and visualization.

Prerequisite(s): GSS 805 with a minimum grade of B- or NR 860 with a minimum grade of B- or ESCI 870 with a minimum grade of B-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

View Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Articulate the needs and uses of surveying and Geospatial field methods across disciplines.
  2. Articulate and apply the key concepts and nomenclature of surveying and Geospatial field methods.
  3. Utilize a variety of surveying and geospatial field tools to collect coordinate and spatial attribute data.
  4. Understand and utilize key geometry and trigonometry functions and methods for surveying.
  5. Articulate and apply map projections for use in field-data collection.
  6. Apply ESRI Field Maps software to complete in-field Geospatial data collection and feature editing.
  7. Utilize ground and hand-held LiDAR equipment to capture real-world geo-referenced 3D representations of natural and in-door environments.
  8. Deploy environmental sensors and stream data to online dashboards.
  9. Proficiently transfer geospatial field data from the field tools to GIS applications.
  10. Create useful maps, graphs, and visualizations of collected data.

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GSS 900 - Professional Preparations in Geospatial Science

Credits: 2

This class is a asynchronous, on-line learning course that provides you with professional preparations within the Geospatial Sciences (GSS) by building strong foundations of modern GSS practices, theory, and ethics. Students will explore the many ways in which the Geospatial Sciences are used across multiple disciplines thus aligning their interests well for future professional endeavors. This class includes instructor and guest led recorded on-line lectures, discussion board ethics forums, summary assignments, professional network building, GSS job search techniques, and a final project report that will explore your GSS industry of interest in-depth. Internet search engines, ESRI Storymaps and other basic GSS tools and data archives will be utilized.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

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  1. Articulate the key technologies, data types, and good use practices used within the Geospatial Sciences.
  2. Utilize GSS data archives, ESRI online Storymaps, and other basic GSS tools.
  3. Understand how GSS technologies are used across several professions.
  4. Understand resources available to Geospatial Science professionals.
  5. Understand where and how to search for GSS career opportunities.
  6. Write a convincing cover letter and resume for application to GSS jobs.
  7. Establish professional network contacts within the GSS industry.
  8. Explore, in-depth, GSS practices, theory, and ethics used within your industry of interest.

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GSS 996 - Geospatial Science Independent Study

Credits: 1-4

May include research project, fieldwork or a relevant internship where students will build or apply GIS, Remote Sensing, GPS, or other Geospatial technologies. To be elected only with permission of program coordinator and with qualified supervision.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

Special Fee: Yes