GPS/GIS Field Techniques

GPS/GIS Field Techniques (GEOG 587) requires a one-week field excursion to the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center located 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles on Catalina Island.

The USC Wrigley Marine Science Center maintains a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility available for use by faculty and students of USC, researchers from other universities, conference organizers and a wide range of educational groups. The facilities include:

  • A location on a small cove at the "quiet end" of Catalina Island and in close proximity to a marine reserve and deep ocean waters;
  • A full-service waterfront to support marine-based research and education;
  • Eight laboratories; and
  • Conference facilities with meal service and a range of housing options.

These facilities afford GIST students an unrivaled opportunity to work intensively with faculty and fellow students in designing and conducting their own geospatial data collection projects. The week starts with professional training in the use of GPS mapping tools and concludes with presentations by students on the quality of the data that was acquired and how this knowledge might be applied to other geospatial applications.