Louis A. Scuderi DUE 9551046 University of New Mexico FY1995 $ 40,000 Albuquerque, NM 87131 ILI - Instrumentation Project: Geosciences Title: Instrumentation for an Undergraduate Spatial Data Analysis Laboratory The Geography Department at the University of New Mexico (UNM) has a long tradition of teaching and research in the spatial sciences. Over the past decade, with the maturing of Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing, and significant advances in computer modeling, the Department, and the discipline in general, has seen a dramatic shift in teaching requirements from traditional geography courses to those which in- corporate these technological elements. Geography is currently in the process of restructuring its offerings in these areas. UNM has recognized the importance of these critical areas and has designated Geography as the primary focal point for the development and teaching of these technologies. To achieve this restructuring the department is currently in the process of upgrading and developing its existing laboratory facilities. The support requested in this proposal will form the core of teaching in the refocused Department of Geography. The equipment will be used to improve a. Geography Instruction: The SDAL would become the focal point for 14 existing or proposed courses. A conservative estimate is that over 280 students would have instruction in the SDAL annually. UNM's Minority Institution designation insures that protected groups would be served. b. Interdisciplinary Instruction: Currently GIT is also utilized in Anthropology, Biology, Geology and Planning at UNM campus. The SDAL would serve as a centralized instruction location as well as providing the resources for inte rdisciplinary teaching in the physical sciences.
