Environmental Information Systems Minor

Steven P. Frysinger, Coordinator
Phone: (540) 568-2710
Email: frysinsp@jmu.edu
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/EnvironmentalInfoSys

The cross disciplinary minor in environmental information systems is designed for undergraduates interested in using computer and information management technology to solve environmental problems and improve environmental stewardship. Some examples of environmental information systems are database systems to track and report hazardous materials in factories, decision support systems to facilitate risk analysis and management, GIS-based natural resource inventory systems and automated business management systems to support and document environmental compliance.

The environmental information systems minor requires a minimum of 25 credit hours². Core courses are intended to ensure knowledge of the foundation disciplines. Electives should be chosen in consideration of the student’s particular interests within the general field of environmental information systems; the coordinator may approve other elective courses. Students are advised to check prerequisites of listed courses.

Required Courses

Core Courses: 16 Credit Hours

CS 149. Introduction to Programming Credits: 3.00 ¹
ISAT 340. Database Design, Implementation and Management Credits: 3.00 ¹
ISAT 320. Fundamentals of Environmental Science and Technology I Credits: 4.00 ²
ISAT 321. Fundamentals of Environmental Science and Technology II Credits: 3.00
ISAT 426. Environmental Information Systems Credits: 3.00

Elective Courses: 9 Credit Hours

CS 159. Advanced Programming Credits: 3.00 ¹
CS 374. Database Systems Credits: 3.00
GEOG 215. Introduction to Geographic Information Science and Cartography Credits: 3.00
GEOG 366. Intermediate Geographic Information Science Credits: 3.00
GEOG 385. Principles of Remote Sensing Credits: 3.00
GEOG 466. GIS and Geographic Databases Credits: 3.00
ISAT 341. Machine Learning and Data Science Credits: 3.00
ISAT 420. Environmental Analysis and Modeling Credits: 3.00
ISAT 447. Interaction Design Credits: 3.00

Total: 25 Credit Hours

Footnotes

¹ Or equivalent by permission of director.

² Students who have successfully completed ISAT 320 prior to fall 2016 will receive 3 credits for ISAT 320 ; if that is the case, the environmental information systems minor requires a minimum of 24 credit hours.

Note:

ISAT 252 or CIS 221 substitute for CS 149 ; CIS 331 substitutes for CS 159 ; CS 374 substitutes for ISAT 340 ; CIS 330 substitutes for CS 374 .