This three-day elective examines how GIS has a long and respectable history with
regards to applications in the natural resources arena. This course provides an overview of how GIS has been and can
be applied to Environmental and Natural Resource issues. Environmental modeling of atmosphere, biosphere and the earth
processes are discussed and students are exposed to a variety of examples. Sources of terrain, natural resources and
environmental data are reviewed and case studies of specific applications are provided. This course includes a
significant hands-on component. Prerequisites are GIS 0110 and GIS 0300.
This course is also available on a contract basis and can be tailored to suit your organization's needs. Please contact us to discuss your onsite opportunity.
Courses are offered in a three-day seminar format. Classes can be taken individually
to strengthen your working knowledge or as part of the certificate program to enhance your career development.
Certificate and non-certificate students are awarded 1 CEU (Continuing Education Unit) per ten hours of successful
classroom participation. It is possible to complete the certificate in 4 to 36 months. Tailored seminars taught on your
premises can be arranged through the Program Manager.
Dr. Erwin Villiger is the president and CEO of Global View Inc., a GIS and remote sensing consulting firm. He spent 10 years with the Central Intelligence Agency as an imagery analyst and remote sensing scientist before leaving to pursue a PhD in environmental science at George Mason University. While studying at George Mason, he ran the GIS and remote sensing computer labs for the Department of Geography and Earth System Science. He has a BA and MS in geography, with specialties in remote sensing and geographic information systems. Dr. Villiger has taught geography and GIS courses for Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University, has developed a number of GIS education programs for professionals, and is the director of a master's program in GIS with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is an ESRI authorized instructor for ArcGIS and manages desktop software training for the Professional Certificate Program in Geographic Information Systems at George Mason. He teaches a number of certificate courses including: Introduction to ArcGIS, Components of GIS, Raster Analysis & 3D Modeling, and Environmental Applications of GIS.
