G&ES FACILITIES

G&ES Computer Laboratory 

The Department of Geography & Environmental Studies has maintained a computer laboratory for research and instruction in GIS and computer cartography since 1991. Approximately 10 networked computers and a complement of peripheral equipment, including digitizing boards and large format plotters are available for student use. Considerable use is made of the Internet.

A second computer laboratory was furnished in 2001, with four stations ready for advanced use such as theses, various GIS projects, and collaboration. It houses the department's s server, which is used for projects requiring interactive access to databases.

Classes which use the laboratory extensively often are taught in a"Smart Classroom," which has 20 networked workstations. The instructor may project images from on line in almost any classroom on campus. Students are able to learn and practice new software in the classroom and complete assignments in the G&ES laboratory, and often from remote stations.

Internet Access

All students at Northeastern Illinois University are assigned an Internet account free of charge with which they have on-line access from campus or remotely, are offered free and generous e-mail services, and access to a campus-wide discussion board, with special conferences for individual departments or interest groups. Web hosting is provided free of charge. Student laboratories across campus are open for student use. Many classrooms are internet-ready, and "smart classrooms" across campus are outfitted with networked computers for student use as well.

Field Equipment

In addition to the technical equipment, students may also use the field equipment for sampling and mapping.  The department has  a Global Positioning System (GPS), several transits, a stream table, and equipment for coring trees and sampling soils.  It has specialized equipment for prairie burns and natural area management. Students also may learn to use current meters for velocity of flow and a variety of  portable atmospheric monitering equipment.  Other tools are available, as needed, from other departments on campus.

Labs and Classrooms

Labs and classrooms used in G&ES classes have the standard features, in additon to equipment and maps and large tables for group work and large-image anaysis.