A Geographic Information System Laboratory is established to improve the quality of undergraduate instruction in the Natural Resources Management and Earth Sciences Programs. The laboratory includes three workstations, ancillary hardware and GIS software in two formats (vector-based and raster-based in common use. Junior and senior level students are applying GIS to problems in the fields of natural resources management, geology, geography and planning. GIS is used to obtain and manipulate special information, and the interpretation and synthesis of this information. GIS allows students to address research problems that normally require inordinate amounts of time and effort to answer using traditional techniques of special analysis such as manual overlays. The use of GIS technology is becoming increasingly common in the fields affected by this award. This new laboratory enhances the problem solving, research, and professional capabilities of graduates from the respective programs. The award will be matched by an equal sum from the grantee.
