Interdisciplinary
Connections
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln there are
currently more than two dozen faculty and professional staff, and at least three
dozen graduate students, working in various areas of GIS and remote sensing
(GIS/RS). These faculty, staff, and students are affiliated with many units
of the University including the Conservation and Survey Division/Institute of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the departments of Anthropology, Community
and Regional Planning, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering,
Geosciences, and the School of Natural Resource Sciences. In should be noted
that many faculty maintain joint or courtesy appointments in two or more departments.
In addition, UCGIS participants have many
multidisciplinary connections both within the University, and to outside organizations
and agencies.
Nebraska GIS Steering Committee
The Nebraska
Geographic Information Systems Steering Committee was established by the
Legislature in 1991 (Reissued Revised Statutes of Nebraska, 1943, §81-2601 through
§81-2605), in an effort to coordinate the implementation of GIS technology by
state and local government in Nebraska. Several UCGIS faculty and staff participant
in Steering Committee activities on a regular basis.
The role of the Steering Committee
is to see that public investment in GIS technology is achieved in a coordinated
efficient manner. The Nebraska GIS Steering Committee grew out of earlier GIS-related
coordination efforts, both by GIS users and by a subcommittee of the Nebraska
Intergovernmental Data Communications Advisory Council (NDICAC). The fifteen
member GIS Steering Committee, as defined by statutes, consists of eight representatives
of state government level agencies; two representatives of the Nebraska Association
of County Officials; one representative each from the League of Nebraska Municipalities,
the Natural Resources Districts, and from public power districts; and two at-large
representatives. Beyond the fifteen Steering Committee members defined by statute,
a number of other individuals and organizations actively participate in Steering
Committee meetings and projects. In addition to the staff support received from
participating agencies, the Steering Committee's efforts are supported by a
Coordinator, Larry K. Zink, based in the Department of Administrative Services.
UNL Strategic Plan for
Remote Sensing and GIS
In response to the growing demand
for a GIS/RS activities, UNL faculty have taken the initiative in developing
a strategic plan for remote sensing at UNL. Specifically, the plan establishes
a consortium of UNL faculty involved in GIS/RS activities. The mission of the
consortium is as follows:
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is committed to establishing an internationally
renowned Consortium for consolidating its activities in remote sensing and
geographic information systems dealing with all aspects of terrestrial and
atmospheric sensing and monitoring.
The University-wide Consortium will include faculty with expertise in remote
sensing/GIS from various departments, centers, and units.
The consortium's primary objective is to facilitate and coordinate excellence
in all three missions of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, namely, research,
education, and outreach.
Certificate
in Geographic Information Science
The GISCIENCE certificate
is a specialized graduate program designed to educate students in GIScience
and provide them with GIS experience. Specifically, the overall objective is
to establish a comprehensive foundation program that will meet the needs of
student scientists, analysts, planners, managers, and technicians. The objectives
include:
Providing formal GIScience education.
Providing students with problem-solving skills.
Providing students with hands-on software experience.
Providing students with "industry" GIS experience. The program is intended
to serve both full and part-tirne students interested in receiving a graduate
certificate. This could include students who have an undergraduate degree;
graduate students that would like a certificate in addition to receiving a
Master's degree; and professionals interested in "retooling." The program
is designed so that students can advance and graduate in two years.
Specialization in Remote
Sensing and GIS
As new applications of GIS/RS have
been developed, demands for education and research have increased commensurately.
Coursework related to GIS/RS is currently
offered by at least five UNL Departments, and approximately 300 undergraduate
and graduate students enroll in GIS/RS courses each academic year. UNL faculty
have recognized the need to strengthen interdepartmental coordination, and define
a interdisciplinary academic program in GIS/RS. In response to this need, specializations
in Remote Sensing or GIS are offered in the School of Natural Resource Sciences
and Geography.
1998 Mid-America GIS Symposium
The 1998 MidAmerica GIS Symposium was held
May 4-7, 1998 at the Cornhusker Hotel and Burnham Yates Conference Center in
Lincoln, and was attended by over 600 individuals from the region.
Nebraska
GIS/LIS Association
The Nebraska
GIS/LIS Association, Inc. is a growing nonprofit organization of Nebraska
professionals involved in GIS, remote sensing, GPS, and related technologies.
Several UNL-UCGIS participants played a key role in the establishment of the
organization. The goals of the Association are to:
Assist, educate, coordinate and guide the implementation and development of
GIS technology in the state of Nebraska.
Educate the general public about the nature of, and benefits from geospatial
information and related technologies, including but not limited to, geographic
information systems, the Internet, and global positioning technologies.
Foster a spirit of cooperation among local, state and federal agencies, and
the private sector in addressing priority databases for Nebraska.
Host regular meetings, conferences and technical workshops for the exchange
of information and to exhibit products and services.
Publish documents, produce educational materials, and promote education pertaining
to geographic information and related technologies.