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Course Descriptions

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Summer Quarter

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Fundamentals

Schedule: June 13-Sept. 23, 2008; 4 credits; $865, plus $17 technology fee.
Instructor: Tom Carlson.

This course introduces the concepts and skills essential to using a GIS for spatial analysis and problem solving. Covers the use, design, and construction of maps. Components of a GIS, spatial and tabular data, raster and vector data, types of spatial analysis, and database management within a GIS framework are also discussed. Students gain experience in planning, implementation and management of GIS projects using desktop GIS technology, metadata documentation, and management case studies to demonstrate the breadth of GIS applications. A series of course projects introduces an array of data sources - including HAZUS, for flood, earthquake and hurricane modeling -- and information tools associated with emergency management, hazards and homeland security. Projects give students the opportunity to apply capabilities and skills to a variety of GIS tasks related to emergency management. Offered every summer, winter and spring.

Autumn Quarter

Introduction to Comprehensive Emergency Management

Schedule: Sept. 24-Dec. 5, 2008; 3 credits; $1,455, plus $13 technology fee.
Instructor: Bob Freitag.

This course establishes the principles and practices of comprehensive risk reduction. Specifically, this course will develop your awareness and understanding of the concepts of risks and hazards, and will build skills in the use of emergency management tools, techniques, and resources. You will apply risk and risk-reduction measures to manipulate vulnerable elements and organizational capabilities. You will also gain insight into intergovernmental programs and relationships, and the broader social context involved in planning for and managing emergency situations. At the end of the course, you will use a "tabletop" exercise as a tool to practice applying concepts and principles to a target neighborhood. Offered every fall.

Winter Quarter

Physical Critical Infrastructures (elective)

Schedule: Jan. 5-March 16, 2009; 3 credits; $1,455, plus $13 technology fee.
Instructor: Ed McCormack.

This course examines best practices to reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure systems due to accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Vulnerability analysis is introduced through a Model-Based Vulnerability Analysis (MBVA) approach recently developed for application to critical infrastructure protection.

Emergency Systems, Public Health and Disease Control (elective)

Schedule: Jan. 15-March 16, 2009; 3 credits; $1,455, plus $13 technology fee.
Instructor: John Kobayashi.

This course describes how the private and public health-care systems of the United States intersect in dealing with critical situations. Students learn about the distinct cultures of private health-care, public-health and emergency service providers, their existing communication channels, and coordination activities in times of emergencies.

Spring Quarter

Strategic Planning Practicum 1

Schedule: Mar. 30-June 12, 2009; 3 credits; $1,455, plus $13 technology fee.
Instructor: David Robison.

This course uses case-based and problem-based approaches to teach the techniques of planning, decision-making, and analysis common to critical infrastructures. Student learning takes place in applying the knowledge and skills learned in the lesson commentaries of the course and the readings of these cases. The course is focused on developing basic skills related to infrastructure protection planning. Managing risk is at the core of protecting infrastructure systems, and it involves several tasks, in addition to risk assessment.

Critical infrastructures are vast systems and inventorying and prioritizing elements of such systems are important initial steps in protection. The course will focus on several major methods for selecting, prioritizing and evaluating projects, including, cost-benefit analysis, impact analysis, and multi-criteria evaluation. Other decision skills studied in the course are contingency planning and scenario development, as well as application of these methods and tools to real-world cases. The course follows a practical, problem-based instructional approach to teach the techniques of planning, decision-making, and analysis common to critical infrastructures.