Earth Sciences
2002-2004 UPDATE
Description
Classrooms and offices are now all equipped with computers. In the future ES will need access to a computer lab (chemistry?) to introduce large lecture classes (40+ students) to GIS technology (1-2 days a semester only). A major problem currently exists in the chemistry computer lab where our GIS class is taught (computers crash during mapping exercises). We may have to drop the course if the situation is not remedied. Otherwise, the department continues to move toward a greater emphasis on field investigation/hands-on formats. That, of course, requires additional technology, e.g. palm pilots, and a reactivation and/or overhauling of existing field courses. Finally, SDSU plans to offer new field courses in the immediate future and wants Grossmont to inaugurate similar ones for seamless articulation. We’ll need the equipment to do so.
Curriculum Impact
Improved and increased computer-based technologies, equipment, and software will help to improve student comprehension and success in all ES offerings. Too, field measurement and mapping technology will upgrade our field courses and laboratory curriculum.
Approximate Number of Students Served
ES enrollment is approximately 3500 annually and should grow at the same rate as the general college.
Support Impact
An increase of technical support for Geographic Information Systems instruction is critical and presently lacking.
Year 1 (2002-2003)
Objective
There is a need to continually update department GIS software. A missing element in our current GIS curriculum is a large map printer for students’ finished projects. Additional equipment, such as palm pilots and stream current meters, will allow greater participation by Grossmont in Mission Trails Regional Park’s numerous ecology and mapping studies.
Action to Meet Objective
Purchase: (1) one large map printer, e.g. HP Design Jet ColorPro CAD printer with ZEHRaster Plus; (2) ArcView Spatial Analyst Extension Lab Pak Kit ($995), which includes licensing for 25 stations; (2) 30 Compaq iPAQ H3650 Color Pocket PCs, with ArcPad software ($1300); (3) 5 Garmin Plus III GPS units; (4) one current meter, wading rod, and digimeter for stream measurement. Only GIS technology will need attention of support personnel.
First Year Update
The large map printer and the 30 Compaq iPAQ H3650 Color Pocket PCs, with ArcPad software have not been purchased. The ArcView Spatial Analyst Extension Lab Pak Kit and 3-D Analyst Extension have been purchased and given to ICS for installation, but they have yet to be installed.
Year 2 (2003-2004)
Objective
With an indefinite delay in construction of the new Science Building, ES again asks for the installation of eight (8) computer workstations in lecture hall Room 306. This would tie the lecture and lab classes directly into the Internet as well as provide access to GIS programs. We need to continue upgrading field mapping and measurement competencies so as to match the technologies used in freshman/sophomore ES classes at SDSU (devices to measure soil and vegetation canopy temperatures, water and energy flows within plants and carbon budgets). Not only would these additional technologies facilitate articulation but could be used in Mission Trails biomes to monitor stressed plant communities and general environmental integrity. Importantly, the park studies will be a joint effort with our Biology Department and SDSU: a fine example of community service and collegial collaboration. Finally, there is an urgent need to preserve slide collections of retired faculty by scanning them into digital format. Dozens and dozens of slide boxes are stored in the ES workroom, donated by Wayne Harmon, Ray Resler, and Lee Engelhorn. The images are of every known phenomenon in our discipline, from all over the world and are priceless.
Action to Meet Objective
(1) Install 8 computer workstations along the west wall in Room 306. (2) Purchase one leaf-area meter such as Accupar ($3200), one Qualimeterics albedo meter ($2000) and one Theta Portable Soil Moisture Meter ($700). (3) Purchase one Sprint Polaroid SprintScan 4000 35mm scanner ($1600) and Adobe Shop 6.0.