Using GIS Technology to Enhance Student Learning and Research Adam Lambert, Michael Zavada, and Patr

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Using GIS Technology to Enhance Student Learning
and ResearchAdam Lambert, Michael Zavada, and
Patrick EwanchukDepartment of Biology,
Providence College

• GIS is used extensively in the biological
  sciences and in many other disciplines including
• Economics/business
• Planning
• Emergency preparation and response
• Archeology/History
• Political Science
• Demography
• Geography

GIS technology will give students at PC cutting
edge experience that will better prepare them
for graduate school and make them more
competitive in the job market. GIS technology
will enhance faculty research and make them more
competitive in grant opportunities.
We are currently in the process of training
biology faculty and incorporating this
instructional technology into the biology
curriculum. To further facilitate our progress,
acquisition of the hardware component of the GIS
infrastructure is still needed.

• GIS data is free and publicly available over the
  internet form all 50 States. Rhode Islands
  Geographic Information is available at
  http//www.edc.uri.edu/rigis-spf/rigis.html

GIS data and mapping software used to identify
native and non-native, invasive plants on Block
Island.
GIS data and mapping software used to plan RIPTA
bus routes using US census data (2000).
GIS data and mapping software used for spatial
data analysis and biological research.