Advancing Computational and Visualization Skills in Geosciences

地球系统科学（40）我们正在调整和实施学习活动，提高本科生的可视化，建模和计算技能，通过高级地球科学课程的介绍。我们的项目有三个组成部分：（1）在专业课程中引入GIS和图像处理分析;（2）将建模和可视化工具纳入专业的高年级课程;（3）将计算活动纳入我们的非科学专业课程。受此实施计划直接影响的课程包括自然科学（大一），地质学导论（大一），计算机应用（大二），矿物学（大三）和地貌学（大四）。在我们的本科课程中实施GIS和图像处理分析正在分阶段进行，并使用作为以前NSF课程开发补助金的一部分开发的现有材料以及新材料。课程材料可在以下网址查阅：（http：//www.geo.arizona.edu/geomorphology/geos450/geos450.html）和（http：//www.geo.arizona.edu/sage/gis/）。学生使用地理信息系统和空间分析工具来调查从场地分析研究到减灾，再到水资源管理等问题。这些材料用于我们的地质学导论，计算机应用和地貌学课程。在矿物学中，学生使用各种应用程序来研究矿物和晶体结构的特性。软件包括XTALDRAW，一个交互式程序，以几种方式绘制原子尺度的晶体图像，METRIC计算晶体化学参数，XPOWPLOT创建理论粉末衍射图案的图像。该软件和课堂活动可在http://www.geo.arizona.edu/xtal/person.html.We上获得，还使用Rivertools，XGobi，Stella II和Excel将计算机应用和地貌学课程中的问题解决和系统分析整合在一起。学生使用Rivertools和数字高程模型提取河道网络，并分析河道的高度、数量、长度、坡度和其他特征。他们还使用Xgobi和Stella来研究单个河流的特征以及悬浮和溶解负荷之间的关系。在我们的非科学专业的自然科学课程中，我们利用各种互动程序，让学生探索基本概念，可视化地质过程和评估情况。我们改编了我们的地质学入门课程的材料，使用TASA图形地形图和板块构造，地质结构，ArcView和行星地球系列软件。

Earth Systems Science (40) We are adapting and implementing learning activities that improve the visualization, modeling, and computational skills of undergraduate students in introductory through advanced level geoscience courses. Our project has three components: (1) introducing GIS and image processing analysis in courses for majors; (2) incorporating modelling and visualization tools in upper division courses for majors, and (3) implementing computational activities into our courses for non-science majors. The courses directly impacted by this implementation plan include Natural Sciences (freshman year), Introductory Geology (freshman year), Computer Applications (sophomore year), Mineralogy (junior year) and Geomorphology (senior year). Implementing GIS and image processing analysis in our undergraduate curriculum is proceeding in phases and uses existing materials developed as part of a previous NSF curriculum development grant to the PIs as well as new materials. Curriculum materials are available at (http://www.geo.arizona.edu/geomorphology/geos450/geos450.html) and (http://www.geo.arizona.edu/sage/gis/). Students use GIS and spatial analysis tools to investigate problems ranging from site analysis studies, to hazard mitigation, to managing water resources. These materials are used in our Introductory Geology, Computer Applications and Geomorphology courses. In Mineralogy, students use a variety of applications to investigate the properties of minerals and crystal structures. Software includes XTALDRAW, an interactive program that draws images of crystals at the atomic scale in several ways, METRIC to compute crystal chemical parameters, XPOWPLOT which creates images of theoretical powder diffraction patterns. The software and the classroom activities are available at http://www.geo.arizona.edu/xtal/person.html.We are also integrating problem solving and system analysis in Computer Applications and Geomorphology courses using Rivertools, XGobi, Stella II and Excel. Students use Rivertools and digital elevation models to extract a channel network and analyze the hypsometry, number, length, slope and other characteristics of the channels. They also use Xgobi and Stella to investigate characteristics of individual rivers and the relationships between suspended and dissolved loads. In our Natural Sciences courses for non-science majors, we utilize a variety of interactive programs which allow students to explore basic concepts, visualize geologic processes and evaluate situations. We have adapted materials from our Introductory Geology course that use TASA Graphics Topographic Maps and Plate Tectonics, Geostructures, ArcView and the Planet Earth series of software.