GIS for Disaster Management – GEOG 642
CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course is the application of GIS and remote sensing in mapping the extent and severity of natural hazards, and for assessing vulnerability to natural hazards for effective disaster management. This includes the mapping and assessment of zones vulnerable to flooding, fires, wind, volcanic, earthquake, or other naturally occurring disasters.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
Disasters are something that affect every person at some point throughout their life. It is critical for both GIS professionals and non-GIS professionals to understand the importance of mapping spatial components related to disasters that affect every-day life. This course will describe the processes of planning, responding to and mitigating the impacts of natural disasters.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions (8)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. The student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 200 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 150 words.
Lab Assignments (8)
The student will conduct a series of exercises using the ArcGIS Pro/ArcGIS Online software. Each exercise will involve producing maps/data, and answering a series of questions. The labs will also incorporate concepts and key information from the text readings. The labs include:
- Lab: Mapping Volcano Shelters Assignment
- Lab: Basic Thematic Map-Making with GIS Software Assignment
- Lab: Joining Tables Assignment
- Lab: Rain and Flood Simulation Assignment
- Lab: Hot Spot Analysis and Visualization of Conflict Events Assignment
- Lab: Heat Map and Kernel Density Assignment
- Lab: Sustainable Debris Removal with Networking Analysis Assignment
- Lab: Creating a Displacement Natural Disaster Resilience Index Assignment
Quizzes (8)
Each quiz will cover the Learn materials for the Modules: Weeks in which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book and open-notes, contain 10 multiple choice questions, and have a 20 minute time limit.
