Survey of Computerized Land Information Systems (Landscape Architecture, Civil and Environmental 
Engineering, and IES 655, 3 credits). An introductory course that covers the use and application of 
computerized land information systems. It combines an overview of the general principles associated 
with the implementation of land information systems, and practical experience in the analytical use of 
land information. Lectures and readings cover a range of types of LIS, and present alternative 
technologies that provide the basic tools for analysis. Case studies are drawn from published reports and 
demonstration of ongoing research at the UW-Madison. A focus is maintained on developing an 
awareness of the technical, institutional, political, and economic issues involved in the implementation 
of multipurpose land information systems. Hands-on laboratory exercises principally utilizing 
pcARC/INFO are an integral part of the course. 
Applications of GTS in Natural Resources (IES 400 and Soil Science 375, 3 credits). The prerequisite 
for this course is one of the above two courses. The course consists of three main components. The 
first is a review of GIS concepts, including data sources and automation, geoprocessing and database 
management systems. The second component covers case studies in GIS and natural resource 
applications. The third part of the course covers GIS implementation considerations, including project 
planning, needs assessment, RFPs, data base management, and cost benefit analysis. 
Analytical Cartography/Geotiraphic Information Systems (Geography 376,4 credits). This is an advanced 
course in cartography and GIS focusing on analytical methods and implementation strategies. The 
course is intended to provide the student with a firm theoretical/conceptual basis of spatial analysis with 
practical experience through a sampling of analytical methods. The thcoretical/conceptual basis is 
examined through lectures on spaces, distances, dimensions, and transformations. Specific work involves 
description, reduction, and comparison of point, line, area, and volumetric spatial entities using all four 
levels of statistical scaling: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. The concentration is on methods of 
analysis with laboratory exercises used to implement specific techniques with simple datasets. In some 
cases the analysis proceeds with existing software while in other cases the student is required to develop 
original computer programs. 
Methods in Land Information Systems (Landscape Architecture 755, 3 credits). The subject matter of 
this course varies from semester to semester. Most recently, this project-oriented course focused on 
applications of Census TIGER files for legislative redistricting, using ARC/INFO on UNIX workstations. 
The class project involved developing, testing, and demonstrating user interfaces for support of legislative 
redistricting in Wisconsin, including interactive use, hard copy and report generation, by programming 
in the Arc Macro Language (AML). The prerequisite is a basic course in GIS, a working knowledge 
of ARC/INFO, and a working knowledge of a computer operating system (UNIX, VMS, or DOS). 
GIS RESEARCH 
Land and geographic information studies are well represented in the research spectrum at the UW- 
Madison. These studies are interdisciplinary and require coordinated activities from diverse 
organizational units on campus. 
A sampling of recent UW-Madison research initiatives emphasizing GIS includes: 
accuracy assessment of digital cadastral maps 
adaptation of GIS for transportation 
automated image analysis (remote sensing, GIS, and expert systems) 
automated land cover mapping in a GIS context 
census reapportionment 
climatology of terrestrial seasonal water cycle 
conservation of natural resources through the sharing of Information layers 
county-wide GPS survey for land information systems 
development of a statewide GIS 
evaluating the impact of LIS/G1S on land conservation planning 
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