Many geographic, social, and natural systems involve dynamic processes or movement of individuals in space and time. Examples include animal migration, human mobility, disease diffusion, and natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. Movement is key to understanding these dynamic processes. This course reviews computational methods for analysis, modeling and simulation of movement in ecological and human systems. Students gain an understanding of spatiotemporal processes and patterns, and develop computational skills to process trajectory data, analyze movement patterns, and apply movement models. Through a final capstone project, students study a spatiotemporal problem in depth and write a research paper.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeGraduate students only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeProf. Dodge is so sweet! Labs are a big part of this class but that's where you're actually learning how to use GIS software so I think it makes total sense. Really really recommend Prof. Dodge!
The labs, which make up most of your grade, are tedious and time-consuming. The instructions are unclear and you are expected to understand ArcGIS information without prior knowledge. Lecture attendance is also required, yet section attendance is optional even though the section assists with labs and ArcGIS material.
GEOG176C was overhauled the quarter that she taught it and was Python intensive despite working in ArcGIS Pro for the duration of the series. Really ruined the quality what the courses were building up to, and did not live up to what many people consider the main class in the GIS series.
This was probably the most tedious class I have ever taken at UCSB. Super easy to get a good grade but there is a graded activity pretty much every class and the whole thing is somehow super boring and easy yet confusing at the same time. She usually makes no sense and is super nice but I lowkey hated my life every class.
Very understanding professor and provides great lecture material. Dodge creates a fun and interactive learning environment. Would love to take another class taught by her.
Lab covered ArcGIS Pro, with a final group project at the end. Two easy midterms that followed the lectures. Textbook not necessary. I've read her reviews from other schools and I would disagree. She's very smart and knows what she is doing. Somayeh is super caring of her students and really goes out of her way to give good feedback.