An Undergraduate Engineering GIS Spatial Analysis Laboratory

该项目的目标是通过开发一个集遥感、地理信息系统(GIS)和计算机辅助设计(CAD)为一体的本科生空间分析计算机实验室，培养本科生空间分析技术。土木工程和环境工程专业的学生可以接触到大量可以在空间上参考的信息，包括交通、规划、环境和土工数据。作为本科生，他们通常在特定的学科范围内解决这些数据的问题。这个实验室的基本目标是为学生提供跨学科相互关联问题和数据的能力，并探索不同学科对彼此的影响。例如，一群学生可能会在不同的土壤条件下评估高速公路和停车设施流失对周围湿地的影响。这种类型的问题不仅强调跨学科分析，还促进了基于小组的积极学习和批判性思维。在现有课程中，通过精心设计的基于项目的实验室练习，向学生介绍基本的地理信息系统技能。一门新的空间分析课程专门教育学生跨学科的批判性思维。通过自主学习和本科生研究机会鼓励高级教学。随着桌面地理信息系统的成熟，空间分析正在成为许多工程学科的标准工具，入门级工程师需要掌握这项技术的实用知识。

The objective of this project is to educate undergraduate students in spatial analysis techniques through the development of an undergraduate spatial analysis computer laboratory that integrates remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and computer-aided design (CAD). Civil and environmental engineering students are exposed to a broad array of information that can be spatially referenced, including transportation, planning, environmental, and geotechnical data. As undergraduates, they generally address issues around these data within specific disciplines. The fundamental goal of this laboratory is to provide students with the ability to interrelate issues and data across disciplines and to explore the affects that different disciplines have on one another. For example, a group of students might evaluate the effects that run off from highways and parking facilities have on surrounding wetlands given varying soil conditions. Not only does this type of problem emphasize cross-disciplinary analyses, it also fosters group-based active learning and critical thinking. Basic GIS skills are introduced to students through carefully designed project-based laboratory exercises within existing courses. A new spatial analysis course specifically educates students in critical thinking across disciplines. Advanced instruction is encouraged through independent study and undergraduate research opportunities. With the maturing of desktop GIS, spatial analysis is becoming a standard tool for many engineering disciplines and entry-level engineers are expected to have a working knowledge of this technology.