Teaching

Why does western Washington receive so much more rain than eastern Washington? Why is the Sahara a desert while the Congo has tropical rainforests? Why are there so many mountains on the western side of the Americas? We will uncover the answers to such questions in this course by examining the geographic characteristics of natural processes that interact to produce the Earth’s varying physical environments. Physical geography is the science that studies the processes, forms, and spatial components of natural systems operating in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. Relationships and explanations will be emphasized throughout this course, not merely descriptions. This course will provide a survey of physical geography topics, rather than an in-depth look at a specific subfield.

4 credits, with lab.

This course provides an introduction to the field of Geographic Information Science (GIS) and ArcGIS software. It includes a combination of theoretical and practical elements, providing both a conceptual understanding of and hands-on experience with the analysis and visualization of geospatial data.

This class serves as a stand-alone introduction to GIS and ArcGIS and also provides the foundation for the ongoing WWU ENVS-321/420/421 course series and the GIS Minor and Certificate.

4 credits, with lab.

Climatology is the study of the spatial and temporal patterns of climate across the globe. In this class, we will begin by exploring the processes that control the spatial patterns of temperature and precipitation. We will then synthesize what we have learned so far in an overview of the climate of specific regions. We will conclude the course by delving into the history of long-term climatic changes and explore forecasts for future climate change.

4 credits.

The human population has grown rapidly and we are changing many features of the world at a rate unprecedented in recent geological history. In this course we examine climate change and climate forcing, and other aspects of planetary change related to human resource use. We explore geological history to understand change in the planet’s long-term context. We will also explore some hopeful elements, with student investigation of mitigation and strategies for effective communication. This is a cross-listed class offered as both ESCI 392 and ENVS 392.

4 credits.

This intermediate GIS course will provide students with an in-depth examination of spatial data management, spatial data analysis techniques, automation of geoprocessing tasks, and effective visual communication. You are all entering this class with a solid foundation in GIS concepts and familiarity with ArcGIS software equivalent to one quarter of introductory GIS (ENVS 320/517) and one quarter of cartographic communication (ENVS 418/518). In this class we will go beyond the basics and dive into the details of sophisticated geospatial data management and analysis.

Throughout this class, we will think about fundamental GIScience concepts. We will use and learn ArcGIS Pro as our software, but our focus will be on transferrable knowledge and skills that you could use with any GIS software. My goal is that you will be able to look at a given spatial research question and understand: 

• How to choose an appropriate data source, data model, and data format.
• How to efficiently manage multiple datasets at once.
• How to pre-process spatial data to prepare them for specific analysis goals
• How to choose, run, and interpret analysis tools that are appropriate for the available data and the research question.
• How to automate and document your analysis for efficiency and replication.
• How to visualize and effectively communicate your results using maps, graphs, and text.
• How to find more joy and less frustration throughout your GIS work!

5 credits, with lab.

This advanced GIS course will provide students with an in-depth examination of spatial data creation and management, spatial analysis, and application of GIS techniques to answer research questions. We will work extensively in small student teams to practice GIS project management and collaboration skills.

We will start the quarter with three primary modules focused on raster algebra and advanced automation, image analysis for remotely sensed data, and digitizing historical documents and imagery. We will learn to employ advanced settings for geodatabases to help us manage data and to use advanced model builder functions to assist with analyzing multiple variables consistently and efficiently. We will spend the last few weeks of the quarter working on original research projects.

Throughout this class, we will continue to think about the fundamental GIScience concepts introduced in ENVS 420/520. My goal is that you will be able to look at a given spatial research question and understand: how to choose an appropriate data source, data model, and data format. How to efficiently create and manage multiple datasets at once. How to choose, run, and interpret analysis tools that are appropriate for the available data and the research question. How to automate and document your analysis for efficiency and replication. How to visualize and effectively communicate your results.

5 credits, with lab.

Biogeography is the study of the spatial patterns of biological diversity both in the present and in the past. Biogeographers synthesize information from a broad range of fields, including ecology, evolution, paleontology, and climatology. This course will provide the ecological and historical foundations for understanding how and why the distribution and abundance of species vary over space and time.

4 credits.

This graduate-level professional development course will focus on the theory and practice of communicating research plans and results in written documents and public presentations.

1 credit.