Di Yang

GIST 5200 - Geographic Visualization

Course emphasis is on advanced theory and hands-on practice in learning to create and apply interactive, dynamic and multidimensional graphical representations of geographic data. The graphical representations are intended to facilitate the production and use of geographic knowledge in various application domains. Students will be introduced to Web programming to allow them to develop various kinds of online and mobile visualization tools. They will learn about and apply different approaches to evaluate the usability of the tools they create.

GIST 5220 - Spatial Modeling and Data Analysis
Using raster modeling, hybrid vector/raster approaches, and gecomputational techniques, this course will explore a variety of modeling concepts and related issues. This course will examine a variety of both practical and theoretical issues, with special emphasis on understanding spatial questions that are not readily addressed by basic GIS. We will also consider issues related to error, resolution, scale, and a variety of other factors.

GEA3600 Geography of Africa:
This course presents Geography of Africa from an environmental and economic development perspective. We start by understanding how Africa formed, its landscape, its climates and how people evolved to interact with the environment. There will be a particular focus on wild. The course also discusses dynamic issues facing contemporary African societies and the challenges that people and nations of this vast Continent are working to resolve, introducing ideas about economic development, politics and governance. Issues of health, demography, gender, and culture are also covered. Through lectures, guest speakers, readings, and interactive exercises we will study environmental and resource issues, the impact of historical events on development, education and culture, population distribution, social organization, rural and urban structures, industrialization, business and trade, and prospects for the future.

GEO2242 Extreme Weather:
This course will introduce students to the basic concepts of the science of weather and climate and current scientific developments in such areas as extreme weather prediction, global climate change, and improved forecasting of events. In addition, the course will address the impact of extreme climate and weather events on society and the environment. The goal of this course is to bring weather and climate alive for you through required readings, assignments, video presentations, satellite technologies, online class activities and computer simulations. Weekly readings will be enhanced through the use of such multimedia products and online class activities, reinforcing concepts related to extreme climate and severe weather events.

GEO2200 Physical Geography:
The course lectures and the e-version of the Lecture Supplement will assist you in successfully accomplishing each of the objectives below: 1), To understand the nature of solar energy reaching the surface of the Earth, and its temporal and global variability. 2), To understand how the interactions of oceans, continents and atmosphere transfer energy from places experiencing excess energy to those of deficit energy, and how these give rise to the typical climate of a location. 3), To understand the nature and origin of energy arriving at the surface of the Earth from within the planet, the mechanisms of this energy transfer, and their global distribution. 4), To understand the processes by which the competing forces of energy derived from the climate system and those from within the Earth interact to produce typical landscapes. 5), To indicate the ways in which all of the above impinge upon human behavior and our interaction with our environment.

Graduate Courses

Undergraduate Courses