Teaching
I teach mapping and GIS classes for undergraduate and graduate students at Miami University.
I am interested in reimagining GIS education and teaching beyond traditional GIS software. Tools and technologies that will be used include R, python, and their libraries for spatial data handling, analysis, and mapping. I am seeking like-minded educators and students to develop curricula and make GIS more fun together!
GIS Certificate Courses
GEO 441 Geographic Information Systems
Semesters offered: Fall 24, Spring 25
A required course for GIS Certificate
Introduces students to the structure, concepts, capabilities, and functionality of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and geospatial science inquiry. The course focuses on the management and processing of spatial data, emphasizing data models and structures, geographic data input, data manipulation and storage, spatial analysis and modeling techniques. Students will learn to frame and solve a sequence of problems with GIS across a wide range of topics including environmental planning, biogeography, conservation biology, sustainable development, natural resource conservation, environmental justice, political geography, and urban geography and planning.
Download the latest syllabus of this course
GitHub repository for course assignment and project portfolio
GEO 242 Mapping the Changing World
Semesters offered: Fall 23, Spring 24, Fall 24
An elective course for GIS Certificate
Technology and language of maps, including aerial and satellite imagery, and impact of these technologies on society. Tools for making maps that faithfully and effectively represent geographic data.
Download the latest syllabus of this course
Other Topics
HUM 320 Humanities Lab
A 2-hour long research seminar to build a historical 3-D model for San Francisco's Embarcadero Region in late 1950s. Students will also read about the urban renewal movement of this region to produce mini-documentaries for storytelling.
Historical appraisal documents, photos, and building profiles will be used for this project. Expected products of this seminar and continued work include a 3-D model built based on historical property records and photos of façades, mini-documentaries of storytelling with the 3-D model, and an interactive mapping project built with Esri StoryMap and applications to show the historical buildings and properties in a Zillow-like website.
Funded and supported by: Miami University Humanities Center, San Francisco Public Library
Download the syllabus for this teaching lab
A Miami Plan Signature Inquiry course
Through this course, students will explore and analyze the scientific data surrounding climate change and its effects on human health, the environment, and the economy. They will also learn to synthesize and communicate this knowledge to a variety of audiences. This is a Miami University Signature Inquiry class.
Download the latest syllabus for this course
Past Teaching Experiences
SCI 250 Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering @Chapman University
Semester: Fall 2021
A Grand Challenges Initiative course
This seminar is a continuation of the Grand Challenges in Science and Engineering series. It is designed to provide a mentored experience for teams as they pursue possible solutions to their grand challenges. Faculty serving as team mentors will use evidence-based approaches to improve students’ critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.
Semester: Spring 2021
Structure, concepts, and application of geographic information systems (GIS): computer-based systems designed to process large spatial databases. Productive use of GIS in physical and social sciences, environmental management, and regional planning is investigated through applied exercises and problems. This course includes a lecture and required laboratory component held at different times.