Geographic Information Systems at the University of Southern Maine

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Education

• Certificate Program
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Research

• Lab Projects
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Opportunities

• Workstudy
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Resources

• Field Equipment
• Software
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GIS Groups

• Maine GIS User Group
• Maine GeoLibrary Board
• Maine Office of GIS
• Maine State GIS Stakeholders
• USM-GIS Advisory Committee

GIS Field Resources

Data collection is an integral part of the GIS. The GIS Lab has a suite of field mapping equipment capable of collecting data at a wide range of accuracies. The equipment is available for loan within the USM Community. Our online calendar shows equipment availability.Contact the lab for specific details.

Garmin GPS units (6): The Garmin GPS units are termed recreation-grade because they can collect points with an accuracy of about 5 meters. These are used for GPS demonstrations, geocaching, and data collection where high accuracy is not required. These units are available to anyone who has attended a brief training with the GIS Lab Manager.

GPS-enabled PDAs running field GIS software (6): These are the newest addition to the Lab's resources. They are a streamlined alternative to traditional data collection. We forsee using them in the Digital Mapping Class as well as guest lectures in non-GIS courses. These units are available to anyone who has attended a brief training with the GIS Lab Manager.

Trimble GeoXTs (6): The GeoXTs are termed mapping-grade because they can collect data with an accuracy better than 1 meter with post-processing. These units are often borrowed for field projects and available to anyone who has taken a GIS Course.

SpectraPrecision Total Stations (3): These high precision instruments can accurately measure locations to within centimeters. They are heavily used by the Research Experiences for Undergraduates summer field school and the Digital Mapping Class. These units are available to anyone who has taken a GIS Course. In addition, a member of the Lab Staff will accompany the equipment into the field.

Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS (3): The RTK units are termed survey-grade because they can measure locations with an accuracy of centimeters with no postprocessing required. They too are used by the Research Experiences for Undergraduates summer field school and the Digital Mapping Class. These units are available to anyone who has taken a GIS Course . In addition, a member of the Lab Staff will accompany the equipment into the field.