Proposing New CSULB Minor and Certificate Programs

Proposing New CSULB Minor and Certificate Programs

1.  Program Type (Please specify any from the list below that apply—delete the others)

Ö  State-Support

Ö  New Program

2.  Program Identification

a.  California State University, Long Beach

b.  Minor in Geographic Information Science (GISci)

c.  Intended implementation: Fall 2013

d.  Department of Geography

e.  Dr. Paul Laris, Professor and Geography Department Chair, Dr. Hyowon Ban, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Dr. Suzanne Wechsler, Associate Professor, Department of Geography

f.  Statement from the appropriate campus administrative authority that the addition of this program supports the campus mission and will not impede the successful operation and growth of existing academic programs. (CPEC “Appropriateness to Institutional and Segmental Mission”)

Needed

g.  Any other campus approval documents that may apply (e.g. curriculum committee approvals).

Needed

3. Program Overview and Rationale

a.  Rationale, including a brief description of the program, its purpose and strengths, fit with institutional mission, and a justification for offering the program at this time. The rationale may explain the relationship among the program philosophy, design, target population, and any distinctive pedagogical methods. (CPEC “Appropriateness to Institutional and Segmental Mission”)

Geography is the study of the world, its inhabitants, the interaction between the two in time and space, and their patterns and systems. Geographic Information Science (GISci) provides a suite of technologies and techniques that are used to represent and analyze data from a geographic perspective.

The minor in GISci is designed to help students who are looking for professional careers in the rapidly expanding sectors dealing with geospatial technology and mapping sciences. The field of geographic information science (GISci), while rooted in the discipline of geography, has applications in a variety of fields including but not limited to planning, environmental science, journalism, transportation, business and public health. The GISci minor provides an academic credential for students who are pursuing a degree in another discipline that have developed basic mastery of both geographic concepts relevant to responsible use of the technology, as well as technical and applied aspects of this field.

Pedagogical methods of the GISci minor focus on guiding students to develop fundamental knowledge and techniques of GISci and apply GISci approaches to further study topics from other disciplines. The program provides students with a wide range of applications of GISci through both lecture and laboratory sessions that will utilize empirical spatial data and analysis methodologies. In addition, individual project development will offer a comprehensive view of how real-world spatial problems within various disciplines, organizations, or institutions can be dealt with using GISci approaches.

There are many employment opportunities for those who understand the geospatial technologies, and society would benefit from improved decision making by them. Students interested in this minor may come from a variety of majors and/or programs. These include (but are not limited to) programs and departments within CLA such as anthropology (archaeology), journalism, political science, women’s, gender & sexuality studies, history, the Social Science Credential Programs, Chicano and Latino Studies and our affiliate program in Environmental Science and Policy. This minor may also be accessible to students in other colleges, such as geological sciences, civil engineering, computer science, information systems, health science, physics & astronomy, management, marketing and human resources management.Students who are interested in further study may be compelled by the GISci minor to get the Certificate in Geographic Information Science which can be completed post-baccalaureate.

Often students become interested in GISci through exposure to the material in two service courses that our department has developed for students CNSM and CHHS. Geography 481 – GIS for Natural Sciences and Geography is an elective for students in Environmental Science & Policy and marine biology and Geography 471 – GIS for Health Sciences can serve as an elective for students in public health. Students who have taken one of these courses may use that course as a substitution for 280; it will not double-count as a specialization course.

This proposed minor in GISci meets the requirements of a minor as identified in the CSULB Curriculum handbook whereby a minor is “…defined as an aggregate of at least 18 units of coursework, as specified by the department or program, at least nine of which must be upper-division “ (http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/curr_handbook/section_2/2-1_glossary_terms.html, last accessed 11/8/12; http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/current/baccalaureate_information/minors.html, last accessed 11/8/12).

This minor requires only one prerequisite course – a 3-unit lower division statistics course. This can be satisfied by Geography 200, or any number of lower division courses such as Stat 108, Psy 210, Biol 260, Anth 202, HMDV 250, or Soc 250.

b.  Proposed catalog description, including program description, degree requirements, and admission requirements.

The Minor in GISci is designed to focus on developing fundamental knowledge and techniques of GISci based in the discipline of geography and applying the GISci approaches to further study research topics from other fields. More detailed information of the program is available in the department or on-line at www.csulb.edu/geography.

The Minor in GISci is available to any CSULB student, except for those who are majors in geography. A minimum of 18 units is required above a basic course in statistics, which can be satisfied by geography 200, Stat 108, Psy 210, Biol 260, Anth 202, HMDV 250, Soc 250 or other related courses per advisor consent. The Minor in GISci is composed of two core courses (6 units). These include GEOG 280 (Introduction to Geospatial Techniques, 3 units) and GEOG 380 (Map Interpretation and Analysis, 3 units).

Students must also take 12 units of 400-level GISci courses from the following list:

GEOG 471, GISci for Health (3 units)
GEOG 473, Remote Sensing (4 units)

GEOG 474, Introduction to Digital Image Processing (4 units)

GEOG 475, Geographical Applications in Remote Sensing (4 units)

GEOG 481, GISci for Natural Sciences (4 units)

GEOG 482, Map Design Presentation and GIS (4 units)

GEOG 484, Advanced Concepts in Presentation Cartography (4 units)
GEOG 485, Principles in Geographic Information Science (4 units)

GEOG 487A, Applications of GISci: Environment and Natural Resources (4 units)

GEOG 487B, Applications of GISci: Urban and Economic (4 units)

GEOG 488, Advanced Topics in GISci (4 units)

4.  Curriculum

a.  Goals for the (1) program and (2) student learning outcomes. Program goals are very broad statements about what the program is intended to achieve, including what kinds of graduates will be produced. Student learning outcomes are more specific statements that are related to the program goals but that more narrowly identify what students will know and be able to do upon successful completion of the program

Program Goals. The Minor in Geographic Information Science has four goals, each addressing practical application of GISci. Upon completion of the minor, students will be able to 1) understand the technical operation of geospatial techniques, 2) apply this suite of approaches to address spatial questions in fields including social, health, and natural sciences, and the humanities, 3) critically evaluate the use of these techniques as methods for problem solving, and 4) design and critique map products developed from the use of geospatial techniques.

Student Learning Outcomes. Upon completion of the Minor in Geographic Information Science, students will be able to demonstrate the following: 1) knowledge of the technical operation of basic geospatial techniques (e.g., Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing), 2) application of geospatial techniques to problems in the social, health, and natural sciences, and humanities, 3) evaluation of appropriate use of geospatial techniques as methods for problem solving, and 4) synthesis of spatial data in a map product as well as analysis of the map itself as a form of communication.

b.  Plans for assessing program goals and student learning outcomes. Some planners find it helpful to develop matrices in which student learning outcomes and required courses are mapped, indicating where content related to the learning outcomes is introduced, reinforced, and practiced at an advanced level in required courses. (CPEC “Maintenance and Improvement of Quality”)

Students who complete the Minor in Geographic Information Science (GISci) will be able to demonstrate all of the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO) listed in Table 1. In addition, student mastery of the composite knowledge and technical application implicit in the integration of these four SLOs will be assessed through the Research Projects that are core components of the upper division GISci courses.

Table 1. Student learning outcomes mapped to courses and assessment methods

Student Learning Outcome / Course(s) / Methods of Assessment
Knowledge of the technical operation of basic geospatial techniques / 280, 380, 473, 474, 482, 484, 485 / Quizzes, Exams
Application of geospatial techniques / 280, 471, 473, 474, 481, 482, 484, 485, 487A, 487B, 488 / Computer Laboratory Exercises
Evaluation of appropriate use of geospatial techniques / 380, 471, 473, 474, 475, 482, 484, 485,487A, 487B, 488 / Exams, Project
Synthesis and analysis of mapped data / 380, 475, 482, 484 / Exams, Computer Laboratory Exercises, Project

As part of our ongoing departmental assessment we are in the process of mapping our GIS curriculum to the criteria provided in a recently released geospatial competency model. The Department of Labor has developed specific academic competencies for GIS curriculum (see http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?geo=Y, last accessed 11/8/12). Our program assessment will address these geospatial competencies in the context of the courses we offer. Some of these competencies will be mastered by students in the coursework specific to their respective majors.

Eighteen (18) units are required for the minor. Any basic statistics course such as Geog 200, Stat 108, Psy 210, Biol 260, Anth 202, HMDV 250, or Soc 250 is a prerequisite.

c.  Table 2 provides a list of all courses for the minor, specifying catalog number, title, units of credit, and prerequisites or co-requisites (source 2011-2012 catalog online; http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/aa/catalog/2011-2012/cla/geography/geog_list_courses.html). Figure 1 provides an example of potential pathways to obtain the GISci Minor.

Table 2: Minor Courses and Associated Prerequisites

Catalog # / Title / Units / Prerequisites
280 / Introduction to Geospatial Techniques / 3 / None
380 / Map Interpretation and Analysis / 3 / None
471 / GISci for Health / 3 / GEOG 200 or SOC 250 or equivalent
473 / Remote Sensing / 4 / GEOG 200 (or equivalent) and GEOG 280 or consent of instructor
474 / Introduction to Digital Image Processing / 4 / GEOG 473 or consent of instructor
475* / Geographical Applications in Remote Sensing / 4 / GEOG 473 or consent of instructor
481 / GISci for Natural Sciences / 4 / Junior or Senior standing, GEOG 140 or BIOL 153 or GEOL 102, or consent of instructor
482 / Map Design for Presentation and GIS / 4 / GEOG 200 or equivalent and 380 or consent of instructor
484 / Advanced Concepts in Presentation Cartography / 4 / GEOG 482 or consent of instructor
485 / Principles for Geographic Information Science / 4 / GEOG 200 or equivalent; GEOG 280 or consent of instructor
487A / Applications of GISci: Environment and Natural Resources / 4 / GEOG 485 or 585 or consent of instructor
487B / Applications of GISci: Urban and Economic / 4 / GEOG 485 or 585 or consent of instructor
488 / Advanced Topics in GISci / 4 / GEOG 485 and one of the following: GEOG 487A, 487B, 482, 484; or consent of instructor

*Prerequisite changes have been submitted but are not currently reflected in the online catalog.

Figure 1: Potential pathways to the GISci Minor

d.  GEOG 280 and GEOG 380 are required courses. Three upper division elective courses can be used to satisfy requirements for the minor or certificate. For students from the College of Health and Human Services who begin with GEOG 471, the 280 prerequisite will be waived. For students from the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics who begin with GEOG 481, the 280 prerequisite will be waived.

e.  No new courses are needed to initiate the program. No new courses are needed during the first two years after implementation.

f.  No new courses are needed.

g.  Table 3. Proposed course-offering plan of required courses for the first three years of program implementation

Year / Semester / Course / Faculty
1 / Fall 2012 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban
Spring 2013 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban
2 / Fall 2013 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban
Spring 2014 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban
3 / Fall 2014 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban
Spring 2015 / 280 / Wechsler
380 / Ban

h.  Admission criteria:

Students must be enrolled at CSULB. They will meet with the Undergraduate Advisor in Geography to add the minor to their program plan.

i.  Criteria for student continuation in the program: Students are encouraged but not required to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

j.  Provision for meeting accreditation requirements, if applicable, and anticipated date of accreditation request (including the WASC Substantive Change process). – N/A

5.  Need for the Proposed Minor or Certificate Program
(CPEC “Societal Need,” “Number of Existing Programs in the Field,” and “Advancement of the Field”)

a.  List of other California State University campuses currently offering or projecting the proposed programs; list of neighboring institutions, public and private, currently offering the proposed programs.

Table 4. The GISci minors currently offered in California

University / Department or Center / Program
California State University campuses / California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo / BioResource and Agricultural Engineering (BRAE) Department / GIS Minor
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona / Center for Geographic Information Research / Multi-disciplinary GIS Minor
CSU Northridge / Department of Geography / Minor in GIS http://www.csun.edu/csbs/departments/geography/resources/undergraduate.html
Neighboring public/private institutions / University of California, Los Angeles / Department of Geography / Geospatial Information Systems & Technologies Minor

b.  Differences between the proposed program and programs listed in Section 5a above.