CONTENTS

Introduction: (Week 1) Students will be introduced to the general framework of the course and to the technology in the Technology Laboratory in the Natural Science Building (Room 150). We will learn about the laboratory environment and the protocols needed to use the facilities.

Databases and Spatial Analysis: (Weeks 2-5). Students will be exposed to biological and environmental databases and the technology to manage and select information from databases. We will learn how to link biological and environmental data to maps in a variety of ways. We will learn the principles and practice of use of Geographic Information Systems and their application to environmental systems. We will learn how to create maps that make up a time series to show change over time. We will learn the difference between raster (grid) and vector (polygon) mapping systems. We will examine spatial patterns in human populations, agricultural production patterns, weather variables and insect populations at different spatial scales.

Visualization Technologies: (weeks 6-10). Students will be exposed to a variety of digital visualization technologies to enhance their artistic talents and to enable the development of unique and high quality visualizations of biological and environmental systems. We will learn techniques to make animations of maps and other objects. We will use visualization tools to manipulate and enhance images and import them into presentations and web pages. We will learn to develop high quality web sites on biological and environmental topics.

Student Projects: (weeks 11-14). Each student will be assigned topic. The work on this topic will include application of database, mapping and visualization technologies learned during the first part to the course. Each student will develop a web site and a PowerPoint presentation. The web site will be developed to illustrate a biological or environmental phenomenon at multiple scales. Each Web site will use a set of standard protocols develop by the instructors.

Project and Web Presentations: (week 15). A PowerPoint presentation will be made near the end of the term by each student and will provide a detailed description of the project. The presentation will constitute the final exam.

It is our goal to foster the application of systems thinking in every day activities. In particular we expect to see systems thinking applied in the design of the final presentation. We will provide students with selected readings that will assist us in accomplishing this goal.