The Quantitative Analysis Center has added several new courses for the fall and spring semesters: one on data science, and four courses on GIS (Geographical Information Systems – above image).
These courses are:
QAC 211, Fall 2013: Digging the Digital Era: A Data Science Primer – A course in which students use R to access, organize, and analyze data through small projects to illustrate the application of techniques, and will also complete a semester-long project accessing and using data from Twitter to answer a research question. (Tuesday and Thursday, 1:10 – 2:30)
E&ES 322 and 324, Fall 2013: Introduction to GIS and GIS Service Learning Laboratory – A class and lab that must be taken in conjunction with one another. Students will use GIS (geographical information systems, tools that organize, analyze, and display spatial data). GIS is used in the class with a focus on how it can be used practically. In the lab component, students work together using GIS to answer local questions about environmental problems. No prior GIS experience is necessary. (Wednesday and Friday, 2:40 – 4:00, and Thursday, 1:10 – 4:00)
Spring courses past the jump:
QAC 239, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014: Proseminar: GIS in Research – Offered in the fall and spring, this course is geared toward students with existing experience with GIS who are working on a project (either a senior thesis or a faculty member’s project, generally) that necessitates the use of the program. Essentially, it’s a tutorial aimed at teaching GIS users more advanced techniques that they can apply to their own research. It can also be taken for credit each semester. Permission of instructor (POI) will be granted during the drop/add period. Shoot an email to kdiver[at]wesleyan[dot]edu with (1) a brief outline of your project idea, (2) current GIS skills, (3) major and class year, (4) day/time availability. (Time and location both TBA)
QAC 231, Spring 2014: Introduction to (Geo)Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization – A class that uses hands-on projects and lectures to train students in a number of different GIS programs. It’s aimed at students with no GIS experience (Time and location TBA)
If you’re interested in the first course, email Manolis Kaparakis (mkaparakis[at]wesleyan[dot]edu) and Arielle Selya (aselya[at]wesleyan[dot]edu). If you’re interested in any of the GIS courses, email Kim Diver (kdiver[at]wesleyan[dot]edu).