About the GRC

The Geographic Resources Center (GRC) in the University of Missouri Department of Geography is a multidisciplinary applied research and teaching facility for geographic and remote sensing data analysis. It also serves as a resource center for information concerning applications of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and cartography. GIS technology provides an efficient means for automating entry, manipulating and analyzing geographic data. The process of linking spatial data to descriptive attribute data is used extensively by planners, resource managers, biologists and a host of professionals to assist in decision making.


Mission

The mission of the GRC is to:
  • Conduct interdisciplinary applied research in GIS and remote sensing in support of University faculty and extension personnel.
  • Provide expertise and support to the state during the development, implementation, and use of GIS, digital data bases and data base management systems.
  • Educate the people of the state through courses, workshops and extension activities to realize the potential and utility of this GIS-related technology.
  • Provide instruction and training in GIS strategies for graduate and advanced undergraduate students at MU.
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    Experience

    Since its establishment in 1980, the GRC has matured to a multidimensional research facility. The Center's staff has worked on more than 400 projects with public and private sector clients including MU academic units, University Extension, state agencies, federal agencies, local government, and private organizations and companies.

    GRC projects cover a broad range of activities relating to the collection, storage and analysis of geographic data. The multidisciplinary staff has had wide experience on projects in areas such as wildlife biology, forest resource inventory, agronomy, land-use planning, water quality, global vegetation monitoring, land-cover mapping, surface modeling, socio-economic analysis, census information and landscape analysis. These activities have helped develop GRC staff expertise in photo interpretation, digital image analysis, GIS analysis, data base construction, spatial analysis and scholarly research, writing and evaluation.

    The GRC will assist the client in identifying the most proficient methods to implement these technologies. A plan can be developed that identifies data needs, processing steps, analytical procedures, and final output development and cost. The plan will be tailored to the client's needs and will consider both the data needs and the cost of those needs. The GRC also is prepared to assist in data base creation, which includes the conversion of mapped data and attributes to a digital format for computer compatibility. Clients working with the GIS capabilities actively participate in the project design and data base development. Analytical procedures are designed to satisfy immediate needs while considering future expansion.

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    Facilities
    The GRC is housed within the University of Missouri's Department of Geography. Software used in digital image processing is ENVI from ITT Visual Information Solutions. The ArcGIS version 9.2 software from Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) suite comprises the backbone of the GIS analysis capabilities within the GRC.

    The GRC acts as Technical Support and ESRI Technical Support liaison for the UM-Columbia campus for the whole array of ESRI products. Support includes installation, software and hardware troubleshooting and acting as contact point for ESRI's Technical Support Staff. The software is available to UM campuses through a site license agreement with ESRI.

    The GRC has upgraded its computing facilities from its hardware base developed in the mid-1980s. The GRC has a distributed processing environment consisting of Microsft Windows PC workstations linked via ethernet. A total of 4 Terabytes of hard drive space is accessible for the various projects done in the GRC. Network communications between the workstations and various database servers and storage arrays within the Center using TCPIP makes file transfer between platforms possible.

    Output devices include a HP DesignJet 1055CM color inkjet plotter as well as a 600 DPI HP laser printer.

    A small Production Cartography Lab also resides within the GRC. This lab uses PC workstations, scanners, color ink-jet printers, and laser output devices to produce publication quality graphics. The lab is currently using the Adobe CS3 software suite to produce the various qualities of illustrations and graphics requested by the user.

    The GRC also has access to the 30-seat Spatial Analysis and Modeling (SPAM) teaching laboratory used in the instruction of GIS, Remote Sensing and Cartography as well as for training and workshops on these subjects through the Geospatial Training Center. The machines in this lab are Dell PCs running the Windows XP operating system. They are 2.8 GHz processors with 2GB RAM, 120 GB of hard drive and 19 inch flat panel displays. The lab has a Lexmark 1200 DPI laser printer and a Tektronix Phaser 740 1200 DPI color laser printer. The lab is also equipped with a ceiling mounted projector for computer presentations. Each machine is connected via ethernet to the University backbone for Internet connectivity

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    For further assistance or additional information about the 
    Geographic Resources Center, write or call:

    Mr. Timothy L. Haithcoat
    Program Director
    Sr. Research Specialist
    Geographic Resources Center
    Room 104 Stewart Hall
    Columbia, MO 65211
    (573) 882-1404
    haithcoatt@missouri.edu


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