Spatial data provides an extra layer of information that provides an opportunity to gain powerful insights from our data. Analysis of spatial data also poses unique challenges and pitfalls. In this course, students will learn a range of techniques for analyzing data with spatial information, from both a theoretical standpoint as well as implementation of methods in R. Topics covered in the course include descriptive and inferential concepts in that students are likely to encounter in their research including (but not limited to) spatial autocorrelation, clustering, interpolation, and geographically weighted regression.
- Teacher: Forrest Bowlick
- Teacher: James Tsalah
Provides graduate students with a broad sampling of new and cutting-edge research related to environmental conservation to help foster critical thinking and provide a more expansive view of natural resources research. Seminars will be given by departmental faculty and faculty from other departments, both on campus and from other institutions. The seminars will be designed for both students who plan a research career and those who plan a more applied path. For the former, lecturers will include topics important for funding projects and publishing findings and for the latter, topics related to interpreting and applying results.
- Teacher: Malcolm Itter
This course introduces concepts related to the management of urbanized landscapes, focusing on what comprises the urban forest, its function as a natural system and the value of urban forests as an environmental and social catalyst. Examination of what makes up the urban forest, how these components function and the importance of sustainable urban natural landscapes will be undertaken. This seminar course will focus on developing a comprehensive understanding of the natural, social, economic and political aspects of protecting, enhancing and maintaining urban forests in populated communities.
- Teacher: David Bloniarz
- Teacher: Brian Kane
This course offers an opportunity to visit local and regional sustainability initiatives. This includes public services, non-governmental organizations, and family businesses spanning multiple dimensions of sustainability. Each field trip has been chosen with the objective of cultivating a deeper understanding of one component of a larger system. Students should have graduate level standing and be enrolled in the MS Sustainability Science program to enroll in this course. This class is entirely field based.
- Teacher: Britt Crow-Miller