This course is entirely web-based. You will need:

• To be a student enrolled at Texas A&M University and registered for this course.
• Windows Operating System with:
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • Minimum 2.2 Ghz Processor
  • Minimum 6 GB Storage
  • DVD-Rom Drive Player
• A reliable high-bandwidth Web connection (LAN, cable modem or DSL)
• A reliable E-mail address that supports attachments
• The following software:
  • Microsoft Word and Excel.
    • Microsoft Office Professional (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, & Access) is available for $10 through Software Evaluation and Licensing Library (SELL)
      (http://software.tamu.edu)
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://www.adobe.com)
• ArcGIS software is not compatible with Mac (and there is no mac-compatible version of this software). If you have a Mac computer, consult with the school’s Help Desk (http://hdc.tamu.edu/) for options to install Windows on your Mac.
• You have the option of accessing the necessary data sets through the Department of Ecosystem Science & Management server using the Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • If you’re living off-campus and using an Internet service provider besides Texas A&M, or if you plan to take advantage of Texas A&M’s wireless access on campus, make sure you set up Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPN is useful for off-campus users who need the same level of access to campus resources as if they were directly connected to the campus network. The result is added convenience for remote users and increased security for Texas A&M resources.To use VPN to connect to the Texas A&M network, you can download VPN software, which we provide at no charge. Once installed on your computer, you need to configure it with your NetID and password. You can get the VPN software, find instructions for installing and configuring it, as well as get more information online from the CIS VPN Web site.

Course Website and eCampus

Materials for this course including datasets can be accessed from this website. The Schedule & Assignments page will guide you through the topic and assignments for each week. The eCampus portion of this course will be used to complete weekly assessments and midterm exam, submit assignments, conduct class discussions, and to check grades. Students are encouraged to post general questions pertaining to the class with the goal of gaining a more complete and mutual understanding of the materials.

Optimizing your browser for eCampus:

IMPORTANT! Refer to the Check Browser Support link on eCampus for more information on this subject. Follow the recommendations found there before attempting to use the eCampus features.

Communicating with the Instructor and Other Students

Class communications will be conducted through Blackboard Vista at ecampus.tamu.edu. Students must have an active TAMU E-mail account. Go to http://gateway.tamu.edu to activate your account if you have not already done so. For assistance with eCampus, see the Student Help page or contact the Help Desk at (979) 845-8300 or via e-mail at helpdesk@tamu.edu.

To access the eCampus portion of the course:

Go to http://ecampus.tamu.edu.
Click “Log In”
Use the User NetID and Password that you created in your Neo e-mail account to access the class.
Once you are in eCampus, Select “14 FALL ESSM 651/RENR 405: Geographic Info Systems” to enter the course.

EZ Proxy Information

From on campus, patrons have access to the full range of electronic resources offered by the Texas A&M Libraries.  From off campus, the vast majority of the Libraries’ electronic holdings are available to currently enrolled students and currently paid/sponsored faculty and staff of Texas A&M University and its affiliated agencies (for example TAES, TEEX, TTI, etc.). Access from off campus requires the use of EZProxy.  This system is accessed automatically by clicking on the link for any e-resource from the Libraries’ web site.  You will be prompted for your NetID username and password.

For more information, please refer to the TAMU Libraries Off-Campus Access Information and E-Resource Troubleshooting Guide