WMU News

Summer program delves into one of today's hottest topics

June 4, 1998

KALAMAZOO -- A popular week-long training program delving into one of today's hottest high-technology planning tools is being repeated this summer at Western Michigan University.

The Michigan GIS Institute will take place Monday through Friday, July 27-31, and again Monday through Friday, Aug. 10-14. Both sections of the program will cover the conceptual foundation and applications of Geographic Information Systems and computer mapping.

GIS is the leading computer technology that local governments use in economic development, urban and regional planning, environmental management, land use analysis, transportation planning and other public administration activities.

Offered by WMU's Office of Professional Programs and Conferences, the comprehensive training program will combine an overview of the general principles of GIS and mapping with hands-on experience in the analytical use of spatial information using the software ArcView GIS 3.0.

The instructor will be Dr. Ilya Zaslavsky, WMU assistant professor of geography. He currently is a GIS staff scientist for the National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure in San Diego, Calif.

The institute will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday for each of the two programs. All classes will be in Rood Hall on the WMU campus. Those enrolling in the institute may earn up to three hours of undergraduate or graduate credit in geography.

Tuition is $995 per person and includes all course materials. A $50 discount per person will be given for two or more persons from the same organization; WMU students, staff and faculty; and those whose registration is received 14 days prior to the start of classes. Enrollment is limited.

For complete course and registration information, call the Office of Professional Programs and Conferences at (616) 387-4174, e-mail the office at mcfaul@wmich.edu or visit the office's Web page at <www.wmich.edu/geography/GISinstitute/>.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron; jeanne.baron@wmich.edu


Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
616 387-8400
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