GIS MAP-MAKING CLASS IS OFFERED.Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - When fire burned through the area two years ago, firefighters battled flames after reading digital maps of the area made with technology known as geographic information systems geographic information system (GIS) Computerized system that relates and displays data collected from a geographic entity in the form of a map. The ability of GIS to overlay existing data with new information and display it in colour on a computer screen is used primarily to . These maps offered firefighters layers of information, from typography typography (tīpŏg`rəfē), the art of printing from movable type. The term typographer is today virtually synonymous with a master printer skilled in the techniques of type and paper stock selection, ornamentation, and composition. to the types of trees in the ground to how many homes were fanned out across the land. Now a class teaching this map-making process that analyzes and organizes geographic information is available at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. , starting with the spring semester se·mes·ter n. One of two divisions of 15 to 18 weeks each of an academic year. [German, from Latin (cursus) s Feb. 6. Community college officials hope the four-credit class piques students' interests and want to offer a certificate program with the up-and-coming subject. Whether it's war, tsunami or Hurricane Katrina  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. , geography is coming to the masses as people become more aware of the global issues surrounding them, said Jeff Hemphill, a University of California, Santa Barbara HistoryThe predecessor to UCSB, Santa Barbara State College, focused on teacher training, industrial arts, home economics, and foreign languages. Intense lobbying by an interest group in the City of Santa Barbara led by Thomas Storke and Pearl Chase persuaded the State , geography instructor who will teach the College of the Canyons class. ``Our sense of place is changing virtually by our knowledge of our place in the world,'' he said. ``There are all kinds of global issues that are making people aware. Underneath all that is GIS.'' Those in health, government and law enforcement fields have been using these maps for years, but now the technology has become more mainstream as search engines offer maps linking people with everyday things, such as how to find the cheapest gas in the area and satellite images of their neighborhoods. Even some car manufacturers and cellular phone companies use the technology to visually track users if they need help on roads. ``For any question you have, you can get different types of digital data and combine it to make a map. From that map you can see the big picture,'' said Mary DeLaTorre, College of the Canyons' acting geography department chairwoman. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems is part lecture and part lab. Students will have exercises introducing them to the software. They'll also learn how to gather information to make maps and work on special projects. Sue Doyle,(661) 257-5254 sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com |
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