GEOG 262 - Mapping Climate Change and its Impacts

Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)

Mapping and spatial modelling are increasingly important tools for visualizing and understanding geographic variations in climate change and its impacts. In this intensive course, we collaboratively explore some of the data and approaches involved in spatial analysis of climate change and impacts. Issues of concern might include topics such as crop growth, biodiversity, or environmental health. Because this is an exploratory course, students are expected to help lead the inquiry as we investigate applications of data and models. We focus first on the nature and use of spatial climate data; we then explore applications using GIS-based models of change implemented, for example, in ArcGIS Modelbuilder or Maxent. We use these approaches, together with relevant literature, to quantify impacts for a particular subject and region of concern.

Because student leadership is expected, students should plan to dedicate at least five additional hours to independent and/or small group work outside of scheduled meetings. Mary Cunningham.

Prerequisite(s): GIS or Cartography or permission of the instructor.

Two 75-minute periods and one 2-hour lab.

Course Format: INT