Behind every television news map, restaurant locator, city planner, vacation planner, real estate finder, hurricane tracking chart and National Geographic chart is a geographic information system (GIS). Maps and geographic information are used every day in all disciplines - especially Houston’s petroleum drilling industry.

Recently, Peter Price and Tom Hobbs, geology faculty at North Harris College, presented a paper, "The Well Location Project at the Hockley Salt Dome" to the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) International Conference for GIS Education in San Diego. The paper described projects that North Harris College students will complete as course work. These projects will define well-site locations using GIS technology and produce important maps for the petroleum industry, the Texas State Railroad Commission and landowners.

"By using GIS technology, we will eliminate significant errors which exist in the historical database. Students will be able to plot well locations within one meter, where old data sets show discrepancies with nearly 1000 meters," says Price.

NHC’s geology program has also received a second $1000 grant from Geospatial Information Technologies Association (GITA). "We are very excited to have this continued support for our programs, especially from the professional societies who will sponsor our graduates looking for new careers," says Hobbs.

Ashok Wadwani of Applied Field Data Systems presented Tom Hobbs, professor and coordinator of NHC’s geology program with the $1000 check. Wadwani, an officer in GITA, also offered extended support in initiating the proposed Hockley Project.

The grant will be used to purchase new hand held global positioning system (GPS) receivers and equipment to be used in field exercises during the Cartography and GIS classes being offered this fall. The funds allow continued expansion of the program - developing real life GIS exercises for our students.

To meet a growing demand for professional training in geographic information systems, North Harris College is offering GEOL 1442 - Cartography and GIS, a 16-week, 4 credit hour course. GEOL 1442 will introduce geographic information systems and global positioning systems with lectures, project presentations, and hands-on computer experience with ArcView, one of the leading GIS applications. The class will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 9 p.m. beginning Aug. 27. The course can be taken for college credit or through NHC’s continuing education concurrent enrollment.

GIS is one of the fastest growing areas of information technology (IT). In addition to databases and spreadsheets, GIS and desktop mapping are becoming routine tools of business, government, education, and individuals.

Registration for fall is in progress. For more information about the geographic information systems course, call Professor Hobbs, at (281) 618-5796, or e-mail to [email protected]

North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one mile south of FM 1960, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281-618-5400 or send e-mail to: [email protected]

North Harris Montgomery Community College District, the fifth largest community college in Texas, comprises North Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College, five satellite centers and The University Center. Cy-Fair College, the district’s fifth comprehensive college, will open in 2003.