McCardell Bicentennial Hall, opened for the 1999-2000 academic year, provides cutting-edge scientific and technological resources. The Geography Department manages four laboratories that support digital cartography, geographic information systems, and remote sensing. These labs provide for student use 34 graphics workstations running under Windows XP, a variety of coordinate digitizers, small and large format scanners, and high resolution color printers. Data collection in the field is supported by high accuracy GPS receivers, digital video and still image cameras equipped with georeferencing capabilities, and access to a local base station. The labs provide access to major GIS and graphics software including ArcInfo, Idrisi, MapInfo, ERDAS, ER Mapper, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, CorelDRAW and Photo-Paint, as well as numerous other packages.
The Geographic Information Systems Library
15 Windows XP workstationsDigitizing tabletsDemonstration workstation with digital projector
The Cartography Lab
6 Windows XP workstations Large format digitizersLarge and small format scannersVarious high resolution color printers and plotters
The GIS Sandbox
A cooperative effort between the Center for Educational Technology and the Department of Geography5 Windows XP workstationsReading and work space
Geography Room 319
Newly refurbished in 2006, Room 319 provides a space with 8 Windows XP workstations intended for use by geography students in the 200 level elective courses as well as students in GEOG0100: Place and Society and Cartography. They are up to date with the latest graphics software and GIS programs.
Many classes make use of the lab facilities, but the Department of Geography offers specific courses in Cartography (GEOG0310) and Geographic Information Systems (GEOG0320) and an advanced seminar (GEOG0420). In addition to regular classes, many students receive internships and pursue projects for outside agencies and organizations. Many students have been employed during the summer months to work on projects ranging from land-use planning to facilities management to environmental inventories.