Purpose

The purpose of the joint South Dakota State University (SDSU)/United States Geological Survey Earth Resources Observation and Science (USGS/EROS) Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence is to establish a joint program that will enable SDSU faculty and students, along with EROS scientists, to carry out collaborative research, seek professional development, and implement educational programs in the applications of geographic information science. By serving South Dakota, national and international communities through this research, we expect SDSU to be recognized as a global center of expertise in geographic information science studies.

Background

The study of the land surface and its modification over time is a major component of global change research. Land cover change impacts climate, biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem function, and the state of human welfare. To study large area land cover dynamics, satellite-based earth observations are required. The Geographic Information Science Center of Excellence (GIScCE) is a new collaboration between SDSU and the USGS/EROS with a focus on the science of earth observation and monitoring. EROS is the world's largest repository of remotely sensed data sets and a renowned center of applied earth science studies. The GIScCE is a research partnership between SDSU faculty and EROS scientists which employs the capabilities of geographic information science (GISc), namely remote sensing, geographic information systems, digital mapping, and geostatistics, to document and understand the changing earth. To achieve this, an interdisciplinary center of study is required, one which utilizes engineering principles to efficiently and accurately process earth observation data, geographic principles to create meaningful thematic depictions of land cover and land use change, and applications which focus on the resultant effects of change on the geosphere, biosphere and hydrosphere. Through the combined resources of many disciplines, the GIScCE seeks to investigate important questions regarding the dynamic earth system. Initial goals of the center include: establishing a solid foundation of teamed Senior Scientists who will compete for research funding, recruit and train additional staff, and expand the center's activities; strengthening educational programs at SDSU by creating opportunities for students to engage in GISc-related research topics while participating in the new Geospatial Science and Engineering PhD program; and expanding training and consulting services to local, national and international clients.

Student Involvement

Students will play an integral role in the research performed by the center. Undergraduates can earn graduation recognition as Center Scholars by completing a combination of courses, programs, and professional experiences. Center Scholars must have completed all Regental and University core classes with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 in major and GISc coursework at time of graduation. Undergraduates must also have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 for all coursework at time of graduation. Graduate students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 for GISc and all other coursework at the time of graduation. All Center Scholars will participate in a center internship, which will include the development of a scholarly study. Results from this study must then be presented to an appropriate professional meeting or accepted by a peer-reviewed science journal. A final student portfolio will be assembled and submitted for approval to the GIScCE portfolio review committee. Graduates of the program will be qualified to work as GISc professional scientists in government, education, business and industry throughout the state, nation and world.

ABOUT BROOKINGS

The home of SDSU, Brookings is a friendly community which features an indoor ice arena, swimming pools, tennis courts, golf courses and 14 city parks. McCrory Gardens, comprised of approximately 20 acres of formal botanical gardens and 45 acres of arboretum, are open year round at no charge. The public library addition now ranks it as South Dakota's 2nd largest public library. The hospital and clinic continue to remodel, renovate and re-equip to remain state-of-the-art. This year, more than 100,000 people came to Pioneer Park in Brookings for the Summer Arts Festival, the biggest fair of its kind in the region.

A first-class school system also draws many people to Brookings. Brookings has three elementary schools, a brand-new middle school, and a high school that graduates nationally competitive students, the majority of whom go on to higher education.

ABOUT SDSU

Total current enrollment at SDSU, South Dakota's largest university, is nearly 11,000 students which includes 1,400 graduate students.

There are more than 190 clubs representing a wide range of interest. These range from a student-run newspaper to performing arts groups to theatre. Different academic, honorary, religious, and social organizations are also heavily represented. The University Program Council sponsors major campus events such as concerts, art exhibits, films, lectures, weekend trips and other excursions during the year. Athletics are also of major interest to many SDSU students. The Jackrabbits compete in Division I athletics. In addition to inter-collegiate men's and women's sports, there are 40 intramural and club sports for organized competition.