INTRODUCTION

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) consist of software and computer hardware that collectively provide a mechanism in which spatial information and a database consisting of selected natural and/or societal processes may be created. Data may be input, retrieved, updated, manipulated, deleted, analyzed, and output to identify anomalies and trends. As an example, one might assess geologic rock types for ground water potential by modeling the coincidence of rocks units having high porosity with another underlying rock type that is impermeable. The GIS will generate an output map that delineates the areas that satisfy both criteria in the model, i.e. high porosity and impermeable rocks.

Remote Sensing is a science and technology in which aircraft or satellite platforms capture imagery for the purpose of identification, verification, interpretation, and analysis of earth surface phenomena. By employing multi-spectral channels measuring selected ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), multiple images exhibiting varied reflectance characteristics of earth surface phenomena are developed. The spectral characteristics of earth surface features may be exhibited in the visible and infra-red ranges of the EMS, computer-enhanced, and a final composite image generated. Several iterations of composite images representing the spectral characteristics of selected Earth surface features may serve to identify, as an example, hydro-thermal altered rocks, ancestral drainage patterns, or perhaps archaeological sites that may not be easily recognized in the visible range of the EMS alone.

Geospatial Analysis at Weber State University is a study of the distribution and association of Earth phenomena, including cultural and social concerns, that include singular or multiple processes operating in concert about some identified region. Earth surface phenomena are analyzed using computer-assisted techniques in Geographic Information Systems and digital image processing of remotely sensed imagery (satellite imagery and traditional aerial photographs). Given the complexity of natural and societal processes, geographic information systems and remote sensing aid in providing a mechanism to simplify multivariate phenomena. An understanding for Earth system processes will provide the necessary analytical capabilities to be used in a final analysis.

Since 1990, the RSGISL (Remote Sensing & Geographic Information Systems Laboratory) and geospatial analysis program have been an integral part of the curriculum in the College of Science. The geospatial analysis emphasis was developed by Dr. Danny M. Vaughn of the Department of Geosciences, and approved by the Utah State Board of Trustees in the spring of 1992.

The RSGISL was designed and created during the fall of 1990 to:

HISTORY OF THE RSGISL & GEOSPATIAL ANALYSIS PROGRAM

In the spring of 1990, Dr. Vaughn received a grant from NASA for $256,000 for three years. The JOint VEnture (JOVE) between NASA and Weber State University was designed to integrate undergraduate institutions with NASA for the purpose of developing earth/space science programs and research associations between the space agency, faculty, and students. Over the next five years (1991-96) scholarships were awarded to students pursuing the geospatial analysis program. The RSGISL Exercises in GIS and RSGISL Exercises in Digital Image Processing are a reflection of extended applications that provide students with techniques and methods currently employed by a variety of local, state, and federal agencies. The RSGISL Technical Briefs represent an ongoing set of in-house papers that provide detailed laboratory instructions for advanced level applications in GIS and digital image processing. Several of these documents were co-authored with students. In addition, several papers have been presented and published by Dr. Vaughn's students as a result of the geospatial analysis and NASA/JOVE programs.

In September, 1993, Dr. Vaughn received a National Science Foundation grant through the Instrumentation and Laboratory Improvement Program which was funded for $86,920 over three years. In 1994 he was awarded another Research Augmentation Grant through NASA for $10,122.

A minor in geospatial analysis is offered by the Department of Geosciences which includes two courses in geographic information systems, two courses in remote sensing, and elective courses in statistics, computer science, and other applied sciences. The remote sensing series begins with a brief overview of traditional air photo interpretation, followed by an introduction to multi-spectral remote sensing. The second course is predominately applied digital image processing. The two remote sensing courses rely heavily on computer-assisted laboratory exercises to provide hands-on experience in digital image processing using ERDAS Imagine software. The first course in the GIS series consists of an introduction to GIS concepts including computer mapping principles and basic foundations in GIS spatial analysis using ESRI's (Environmental Systems Research Institute) ArcView and ArcGIS software. The second GIS course is an intensive, laboratory-oriented course which addresses data base design, data entry, and spatial modeling using ESRI's ArcGIS and ArcView's Spatial Analyst, Network Analyst, 3-D Analyst, and  Geostats modules in spatial modeling. A senior level research proposal is developed and presented to the class after about four weeks into the second course. A senior level research project demonstrating an ability to write, generate original maps, tables, and charts is required to receive the minor in geospatial analysis and the Certificate in Geomatics: Applied Mapping Sciences. All students are also required to participate in a Colloquium in which their research projects are presented to the class, invited faculty, and professionals from private industry and agencies. This capstone course focuses on directing students in their applied  research in spatial analysis with advanced level discussions and exercises focused on spatial modeling techniques and problem-solving scenarios in Earth and environmental sciences, including  geography and planning. While an ambitious and rigorous curriculum, we feel the results provide a more functionally qualified graduate with skills that are marketable, and have been proven successful (See the section, Publications and Presentations).

Geomatics is a term used to describe several related disciplines under the umbrella of the applied mapping sciences. Rather than identify a single discipline such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for a Certificate, this program provides a broad foundation in GIS, remote sensing, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping, basic photogrammetry, computer-assisted cartography, and image interpretation. The emphasis of this program is grounded in applied mapping and image analysis, and capitalizes on each mapping discipline’s utility in resolving geospatial (geo – earth, spatial – any feature that resides on the Earth’s surface) problems. Computer-assisted methods and procedures; mapping theory, concept, and design; and image interpretation and analysis are emphasized through a rigorous set of laboratory exercises using digital data, maps, and imagery from a variety of resources (Internet web sites, local, state, and federal agencies).

A Certificate is awarded to recognize completion of a prescribed set of courses that address selected principles in Geomatics: Applied Mapping Sciences. This program is suitable for anyone who currently holds a college degree, or is actively working towards the completion of a degree. The certificate is particularly attractive to people engaged in applied spatial analysis in the professional workforce who would like formal instruction and training resulting in a certificate without pursuing a major area of study leading to a baccalaureate degree. Participants in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree, however, may also select the certificate program when it is not practical to include a minor in geospatial analysis (http://weber.edu/Geosciences/geospatial.htm). The certificate of recognition will most certainly serve to improve employment opportunities in the mapping sciences upon graduation.

A selected sample of complimentary degree programs include, Applied Environmental Geosciences, Geology, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Geography, Archaeology, or a combination of three emphasis areas for a bachelors of integrated studies (B.I.S.) degree. Agencies that may opt to send their employees to this program include the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Native American Tribal Governments, Natural Resources Conservation Service (previously called the Soil Conservation Service), Environmental Protection Agency, local and county level planning agencies, and state environmental and natural resources agencies.

A certificate in Geomatics requires 16 hours of course credit from the Department of Geosciences, and 6 hours of course credit from either the Department of Information Systems and Technologies, or the Department of Computer Science. Prerequisite requirements (courses or permission from an instructor) must be met for each course in the Certificate program. An overall GPA of 2.75 is required. All courses must be passed with a minimum grade of C. A C- is not acceptable. Registration procedures are outlined on the Weber State University web site at http://www.weber.edu/prospective.asp.

Geosci 3400 – Remote Sensing I (4 credits)
Geosci 4400 – Remote Sensing II: Advanced Digital Image Processing (4 credits)
Geosci 4210 - Introduction to Computer Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)
Geosci 4220 – Technical and Applicational Issues in Geographic Information Systems (4 credits)

CS S11022 – Software Development Using Pascal and Delphi (4 credits)
CS S11023 – Selected Programming Language (4 credits).

Department of Information Systems and Technologies

The Department of Geosciences also offers a Major in Applied Environmental Geosciences. This program focuses on applied Earth system’s science including; surface process studies (geomorphology), water resources, groundwater, environmental geology, natural hazards, remote sensing, softcopy photogrammetry, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping technology. The two mapping programs have become the ideal marriage between the highly technical, computer-assisted techniques and applications in GIS and digital image processing; and the environmentally-related applied geosciences.

Linkages in Earth and environmental sciences are noted in the projects completed by students in the geospatial analysis program. Many of these studies have been presented to professional societies and published in refereed journals. These academic experiences have resulted in internships, admission to graduate school, and career job opportunities.

Occasional Papers of the Department of Geosciences, Vaughn. D.M. (ed.), 1995, Vol. 1, 26 pp’s.

Occasional Papers of the Department of Geosciences, Vaughn. D.M. (ed.), 1998, Vol. 2, 68 pp’s.

Lindsley, C.; 2000; GIS and Spatial Analysis: A Wilderness Study Evaluation in Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Cameron is currently a GIS intern and principle coordinator with Riverdale City.

Dalpais, J. 2000; Using a GIS to Perform a Terrain Analysis of Antelope Island, Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Jason is currently employed full time with Montgomery-Watson as a Geohydrologist.

Walker, A.; 2000; Evaluating Potential Land Use in Riverdale City, Utah using a GIS; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Angie is currently a full time GIS mapping scientist with the U.S. Geologic Survey, Water Resources Division, Salt Lake City, UT.

Bricco, M.; 2000; Habitat Assessment and Survey of Sensitive Species of Owls in Northern Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.

Gillman, S.; 2000; A Drainage Basin Analysis of the Salina, Utah 7.5’ Quadrangle Using a GIS; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. Shari is currently the GIS coordinator for the Alpine School District, Spanish Fork, UT.

Brooks, J.; 2000; Using a GIS to Assess Surface Water Quality in Weber County, Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.

Diamond, J.; 2000; Using a Geographic Information System to Model Wetland Areas in Northern Davis County, Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.

McBride, J.; 2000; Using a GIS to Establish an Optimal Location for a Business in Layton City, Utah; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. James is currently employed full time with the Weber County GIS office as a GIS Mapping Specialist.

Miller, C.; 2000; A Rocky Mountain Goat Habitat Model in the Ashley National Forest Area, Utah/Wyoming Using a GIS; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah. This student is currently employed by a private consortium of Utah businessmen, and he is engaged in doing Global Positioning Systems mapping of the off-roads trails through the stste of Utah.

Taggart, S.; 2000; Spatial Demographics of the 2^nd Congressional District, Salt Lake City Using a GIS; Colloquium in Geospatial Analysis, Department of Geosciences, Weber State University, Ogden, Utah.

Vaughn, D. M. & Todd, P. J., 1999; A Computer-Assisted Assessment of the Clover Creek Watershed, Tooele County, Utah, Presented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting; Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 23-25 1999 (Abstr). Patti works for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ogden, Utah as an environmental engineer and GIS mapping scientist.

Vaughn, D. M. & Boggess, P. L.; 1999; Mapping Glacial Fluctuation in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska Using a GIS; Presented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 23-25 1999 (Abstr). Luke works for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Division.

Nelson, N. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1997; An Assessment of Neighborhood Parks in Ogden City Using a GIS. Copresented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Bozeman, Montana; September, 1997 (Abstr). Nelson works as a GIS specialist for Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

Davis, M. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1997; An Assessment of Trails in Weber County, Utah Using a GIS. Copresented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Bozeman, Montana; September; 1997 (Abstr). Marie works as a GIS Specialist for Weber County, Utah.

Gibbons J. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1997; Using a GIS to Locate A Potential Junior High School Site in Layton City, Utah. Copresented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Bozeman, Montana; September, 1997 (Abstr). Janet works as a GIS specialist for the Davis County, Utah Schools.

Green, S. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1997; Using a GIS in Planning and Analysis of a Water Quality Project. Copresented at the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Bozeman, Montana; September, 1997 (Abstr). Shane is a project coordinator for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Merrell, C. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1996; Using a Geographic Information System to Assess Foraging Habitats for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker in the Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Greeley, Colorado; September, 1996 (Abstr). Camille is an Image Analyst for Image Links in Melbourne, Florida.

Ray, C. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1996; Using a Geographic Information System to Analyze Optimal Areas for Septic Tank Locations; Tooele County, Utah; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers; Annual meeting; Greeley, Colorado; September, 1996 (Abstr). Clark is a Spatial Analyst for Marconi Integrated Solutions, San Diego, California.

McNulty, P. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1995; Using a GIS to Assess a Disparity in Time and Distance Traveled Among Handicapped Students on a College Campus; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting; Rapid City, South Dakota; October 5-7, 1995 (Abstr.). A refereed paper was published in the Journal of the Association of North Dakota Geographers; Vol. XLVI; 1996.

Moss, S. & Vaughn, D. M.; 1995; Using a GIS to Assess Winter Habitat Sites of Pronghorn Antelope on Antelope Island, Utah; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division of the Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting; Rapid City, South Dakota; October 5-7, 1995 (Abstr.). A refereed paper was published in the Journal of the Association of North Dakota Geographers; Vol. XLV; 1995. Sanford works for Hill Air Force Base as a GIS specialist.

Nyborg, C. & Nybrg, M.; 1995; Proposed Wilderness Areas of the Dixie National Forest Using A GIS; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.; April, 1995.

Nyborg, M. & Nyborg, D. C. (Vaughn, D. M.); 1994; Are We Losing Our Wilderness? A Look at the Evolution of the Roadless Areas of the Dixie National Forest, Utah; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division; Association of American Geographers; Annual Convention; Salt Lake City, Utah; October, 1994 (Abstr.).

Wolfe, J.; 1995; Radial Relief Displacement in Vertical Aerial Photographs; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the 9th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; Union College, Schenectady, N.Y.; April, 1995. Jason works for the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Wolfe, J. (Vaughn, D. M.); 1994; Assessing Changes in Scale Within An Aerial Photograph with Respect to Changes in Elevation and Distance from Photographic Natir; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division; Association of American Geographers; Annual Convention; Salt Lake City, Utah; October, 1994 (Abstr.). Jason works for the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Jennings, C. (Vaughn. D. M.); 1994; A Humanist Paradigm in Geography; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division; Association of American Geographers; Annual Convention; Salt Lake City, Utah; October, 1994 (Abstr.).

Jennings, C.; 1994; Modeling a Mountain Trails Park in Ogden, Utah Using a GIS; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the 8th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo, Michigan; April, 1994.

Read, D. (Vaughn, D. M.); 1994; Coniferous Forests Along the Wasatch Front; Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Division; Association of American Geographers; Annual Convention; Salt Lake City, Utah; October, 1994 (Abstr.). Dave works as a GIS specialist for Kern River Gas Transmission Company, Salt Lake City, UT.

Winkelaar, M. P.; 1994; Modeling and Forecasting Avalanche Potential in Davis and Morgan Counties, Utah; National Proceedings; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the 8th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; Western Michigan University; Kalamazoo, Michigan; April, 1994. Mark is a GIS specialist at Utah State University.

Wood, D. J.; 1993; Analysis of Georeferencing Algorithms to Assess Spatial Accuracy; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the National Proceedings; 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; April, 1993. Don is the GIS Coordinator for Wasatch County, Utah.

Cope, M. P.; 1993; Assessing Differences Between Bayesian and Canonic Classification Algorithms; A refereed paper was presented and published in the Proceedings of the National Proceedings; 7th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference; University of Utah; Salt Lake City, Utah; April, 1993. Peri is a GIS Coordinator for the Utah Division of Air Quality.

Assessing Groundwater Potential Using Computer-Assisted Techniques. This student works for the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division as a database management specialist.

Building Location Search Using a GIS for the Migrant Head Start Program. This student works for an engineering firm in Ogden, Utah as a mapping specialist.

Emergency Routes for the City of Kaysville, Utah, Doug Pierce is the GIS Coordinator for the City of Layton.

A GIS Model for Ground Water Protection in Davis County, Utah. Dee Jetti works for the Division of Water Quality, Davis County, Utah.

Modeling Archaeological Site Intensity and Environmental Setting. Barbara Perry a GIS specialist for the Automated Geographic Reference Center, Salt Lake City, UT.

Estimating Surface Temperature Between Climate Stations Using Elevation Data, Climate Statistics, and Landsat TM Thermal Imagery. Jason works for the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Modeling Wildlife Habitat Corridors. Wes is a GIS technician with the State Division of Parks and Recreation,  Salt Lake City.