| Courses This page
provides a listing of undergraduate and graduate courses
related to Geographic Information Science.
Undergraduate
Graduate
Undergraduate Courses
Community and Regional Planning
(Ambler)
0262 Geographic
Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable planners to
perform “high tech” spatial analysis of communities and
environmental features. Sophisticated GIS systems allow
users to create and manipulate virtual representations of
towns or developments and explore different land use and
transportation scenarios. This course introduces students to
these systems and their expanding, widespread applications.
The course materials include, but not limited to,
introduction to the basic elements of GIS maps; vector data
structures; relational databases; spatial data acquisition
and creation; spatial query and display; thematic mapping;
simple overlays and map algebra.
Computer and Information Science
0109 Database and File Management Systems
This is an introductory course in database management
systems (DBMS) and file
management systems. The course covers data modeling
concepts, various file management
techniques, data definition and manipulation using SQL,
issues in data management,
development and implementation of database applications, and
a perspective on
emerging issues in database systems. Students work in the
Lab on various assignments
including prototyping and SQL, utilizing state of the art
DBMS and CASE tools.
0331 Principles of Database Systems
This course will cover the fundamental concepts of database
systems. The main
emphasis will be on relational database theory, database
design and implementation.
The course will review the relational model and show how it
is realized in Oracle's
SQL implementation. Use of metadata concepts and techniques
in database and
application design will also be discussed. Oracle will be
the main underlying RDBMS
environment used for lab exercises and lecture materials.
0362 Application System Development using Relational
Technology
This course will assist in achieving a significant level of
understanding and synergy
of a variety of Oracle tools, environments and languages
including SQL*Plus, PL/SQL,
Oracle Forms and Reports. As a parallel line it will be
supported by a course project
done in a team environment where every team member will do
independent work in
addition to learning how to work in a team. The course
project will include a
functional requirements specification, database design, SQL
queries, SQL-based
listings and reports, reports developed using Oracle
Reports, on-line interface using
Oracle Forms, and PL/SQL code supporting the developed
application system. Criminal Justice
0278 Urban Crime Patterns
The spatial variation of crime is analyzed at three levels.
Cultural variables are
used to explain crime in regions of the United States within
which the cities are
located. Economic base is used to explain variation in crime
between cities. Finally,
housing and income segregation are used to explain the
spatial variation of crime
within a city. Much of the course focuses on Philadelphia.
Environmental Engineering Technology
0320 Environmental Modeling
Theory and modeling of pollutant transport and diffusion
with particular emphasis on
air. Applicable principles of boundary layer meteorology,
plume rise, air pollution
climatology, data selection, and modeling for design. Survey
of available models.
Demonstrations and student projects with computer
applications.
Geography and Urban Studies
0150 Urban Environment
This course examines the relationship among theory, policy,
and the urban environment. The objective of the course is to
study the urban environment not only as a physical landscape
or natural ecosystem, but also in relation to political
economies ranging from local to global scales. The course
will address issues that continue to challenge urban
society, including environmental injustice and racism,
degradation of local environmental quality, the impact of
local-global relationships on community-scale environments,
and the commodification of nature.
0260 Fundamentals of Cartography
This course is designed to introduce students to cartography
and computer mapping.
Through "hands-on" exercises, students will manipulate data,
compare map projections,
design, execute, and reproduce small-scale thematic maps
suitable for publication
using computer software. A final project involves the
production of maps in color.
0261 Cartographic Production
A course concerned with aspects of storage, retrieval, and
display of information
within geographic data systems. Emphasis will be placed on
computer mapping.
0262 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
Cross Listed with Environmental Studies 0262.
Introduction to the basic elements of GIS maps as models;
raster and vector data
structures; relational databases; spatial data acquisition
and creation; spatial
query and display; thematic mapping; simple overlays and map
algebra.
0265 Applications in Geographic Information Systems
Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0465.
Review of GIS fundamentals; complex overlays, geoprocessing,
and map analysis;
modeling networks and address matching; issues of scale,
projection, and accuracy of
spatial databases; planning and resource management
projects.
0267/0268 Mapping Practicum
Cross Listed with Geography and Urban Studies 0467/0468.
Complements theoretical studies by directing advanced
students through real-world
cartographic experiences. The student is assigned
cartographic projects and is
encouraged to plan, design, and execute them for University
faculty and outside firms
and agencies. Geology
0310 Introduction to Micro-Computers in Geology: Remote
Sensing
An introduction to computer methods used in Geology. Topics
covered include hardware
and software used for acquisition and manipulation,
statistical analysis, and
presentation of geological data. A laboratory component
provides hands-on experience
in use of various software packages including GIS.
Landscape Architecture
0022 Introduction to CAD
An introduction to Computer Aided Drafting using Autocad
Release 2004. Focuses on learning the basic commands for drawing in two dimensions.
Includes absolute and
relative coordinates, working in layers, paper and model
space, manipulation of text,
and plotting.
0223 Advanced CAD
Addresses more advanced concepts in two-dimensional Autocad
and introduces Autocad as
a three-dimensional tool in the generation of perspective
drawings. Includes plotting
in color and integration with other graphic applications.
Management Information Systems
0130 Database Management Systems
This course encompasses the fundamentals of database
management systems including
principles of database design and development, and the role
of database systems
within application information systems. Topics include the
role of data and
principles of data organization; conceptual and logical
database design, database
implementation, the relational model of database management,
query languages, data
management issues, and contemporary topics.
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Graduate Courses
Biology
0433 Advanced Techniques in Microscopy
This course will provide a survey of modern techniques in
microscopy. Students will acquire a thorough grounding in
general principles of optics and convential microscopy, and
learn the theory of many methods current in biology and
medicine, fluorescence, confocal microscopy, video,
microscopy and digital image processing and analysis.
Civil Engineering
0550 Near-Surface Environmental Systems
Contaminants in various media (soils, water),
characterization of contaminants transport, fate of
contaminants; precipitation areal coverage, science and
modeling aspects of water flow and solute transport in
unsaturated media and computer applications.
0635 Computer Modeling of Environmental Transport
Theory and computer modeling of transport and diffusion
within and across media; application of models to problems
of air, water and soil pollution with case studies.
Community and Regional Planning
(Ambler)
0413 Spatial Analysis Techniques/Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enable planners to
perform “high tech” spatial analysis of communities and
environmental features. Sophisticated GIS systems allow
users to create and manipulate virtual representations of
towns or developments and explore different land use and
transportation scenarios. This course introduces students to
these systems and their expanding, widespread applications.
0414 Advanced Topics & Techniques in Geographic
Information Systems (GIS)
Introduces the concepts and applications of Suitability
Analysis and Location Analysis. Explore different ArcGIS and
ArcView extensions, including Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst,
Network Analyst, and Image Analyst. Also introduces
CommunityViz software and its suitability for planners.
Explores advanced techniques commonly used in GIS, such as
digitizing, geocoding, image processing, and projection
changing. Students use local and regional data sets and
real-world problems and projects. Instruction focuses on
practical applications in a studio format.
Computer and Information Science
0527 Data Warehousing, Filtering And Mining
The course is devoted to information system environments
enabling efficient indexing and advanced analyses of current
and historical data for strategic use in decision making.
Data management will be discussed in the content of data
warehouses/data marts; Internet databases; Geographic
Information Systems, mobile databases, temporal and sequence
databases. Constructs aimed at an efficient online analytic
processing (OLAP) and these developed for nontrivial
exploratory analysis of current and historical data at such
data sources will be discussed in details. The theory will
be complemented by hands-on applied studies on problems in
financial engineering, e-commerce, geo-sciences,
bioinformatics and elsewhere.
0601 Computer Graphics And Image Processing
An analysis of the techniques used in computer manipulation
of two and three-dimensional images. Topics covered included
hardware and software for displaying images, two and
three-dimensional transformations, the hidden line problem,
picture processing, and two-dimensional filtering.
0616 Principles Of Data Management
This course covers fundamental and advanced topics in
Database Management Systems: Database System Architecture:
ANSI/SPARC Architecture; data abstraction; external,
conceptual, and internal schemata; data independence; data
definition and data manipulation languages. Data models:
Entity-relationship and relational data models; data
structures, integrity constraints, and operations for each
data model; relational query languages: SQL, algebra,
calculus. Theory of database design: Functional
dependencies; normal forms; dependency preservation;
information loss. Query Optimization: Equivalence of
expressions, algebraic manipulation; optimization of
selections and joins. Storage Strategies: Indices, B-trees,
hashing. Transaction Processing: Recovery and concurrency
control. Object-oriented and object-relational data model.
Parallel and Distributed Databases. Multimedia databases and
queries by content. Data mining, data warehousing; Mobile
databases; Web databases.
0664 Knowledge Discovery And Data Mining
Basic concepts and techniques for the automated extraction
of interesting patterns in large databases. Topics covered
include: association-rule mining, sequence mining, web and
text mining, data warehousing, information filtering,
classification and clustering analysis, Bayesian and neural
networks, classification and regression trees, hypotheses
evaluation, feature extraction, dimensionality reduction,
singular value decomposition, data compression and
reconstruction, visualization of large data sets, fractals
in databases, and indexing methods that support efficient
data mining and queries by content. Special emphasis is
given in multimedia, business, scientific, and medical
databases.
0665 Advanced Topics In Data Base Systems
Survey of recent developments in database systems with an
emphasis on object-oriented databases (OODB's). Prototype
and operational object oriented database systems will be
analyzed. Applications of OODB's to computer aided software
engineering (CASE) environments, integrated application
development environments, and geographical information
systems.
Criminal Justice
0632 Geographic Perspectives on Crime
Spatial distribution of crime and criminals is examined in
relation to the geographic processes which influence that
distribution. Processes include regional cultural
transition, economic deprivation, housing segregation and
spatial decision-making. Comparative examination of U.S.
metropolitan areas, although the emphasis is on
Philadelphia.
Electrical and Computer
Engineering
0740 Digital Image processing
Two dimensional digital filters, image edge detection and
segmentation, feature extraction, deblurring, wavelet
application.
Engineering
0780 CAD/CAM
Development and application of computers in today's
manufacturing environment. This is an introductory CAD/CAM
course teaching basic concepts applied to today's modern
technologies. Various topics include: geometric modeling/
tolerancing, process engineering, computer graphics, PLC's,
data communication and LAN's, NC and CNC, robotics, group
technology, CIM, and concurrent engineering. Students will
become familiar with these topics and use modern equipment
and software to develop their own projects.
Geography and Urban Studies
0461 Cartographic Production
Advanced approaches to design and production of thematic
maps.
0462 Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
Introduction to the basic elements of GIS maps as models;
raster and vector data structures; relational databases;
spatial data acquisition and creation; spatial query and
display; thematic mapping; simple overlays and map algebra.
0465 Geographic Data Systems
Aspects of storage, retrieval, and display of information
within geographic data systems. Emphasis will be placed on
computer cartography. A basic familiarity with programming
is helpful.
0466 Cartographic Design
Practical work with photographic and related processes to
produce a map printed in color.
0467/0468 Mapping Practicum I & II
Students are assigned cartographic projects and encouraged
to plan, design, and execute them for faculty and those from
outside firms and planning agencies.
Management Information Systems
0520 Database Analysis and Design
Understand the use, management, and design of the core
technology applied in almost every information system - the
Database Management System. Specific topics include data
modeling, database design, structured query language, stored
procedures, transactions, and administration. Advanced
topics will include web-based database access,
implementation, and use.
0562 Database Management Systems and Data Modeling
This course integrates material from the previous courses in
the MBA/MS program and is only available to MBA/MS students.
Database Management Systems are the engines that drive
transaction processing and support key organizational
activities such as data warehousing and mining. This course
provides students with hands on experience with a modern web
based database management tool. Students will learn data
modeling, database design, structured query language, and
data administration.
Mechanical Engineering
0790 Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
Selected advanced topics in fluid mechanics, heat transfer,
thermodynamics, materials, solid mechanics, dynamics and
CAD/CAM.
Tourism and Hospitality
Management
0560 Advanced Data Analysis for Tourism and Hospitality
Research
This is the capstone course in the Data Analysis and
Management track. It is application-oriented. Students will
apply tools such as exploratory data analysis, multivariate
techniques, time series forecasting, management information
systems, geographic information systems, etc. to aid
decision making in tourism and hospitality. The course has
two main goals: development of skill in the use of advanced
data analysis techniques and the development of expertise in
the interpretation and communication of their results.
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