The University of Toledo

SISS Course Descriptions

Core Courses

SISS 7010:  SPATIAL STATISTICS      
[3 hours]  The course deals with statistical theory and applied statistical techniques for spatial data analysis. Topics include descriptive statistics, statistical modeling and hypothesis testing for spatial dependence and spatial heterogeneity.

SISS 7020:  GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SCIENCE IN SISS  
[3 hours]  The course emphasizes the fundamental elements of cartography, geodesy, statistics, mathematics and geo-computational methods that form the foundation for the development of GIS and spatial analysis tools.

SISS 8010:  FOUNDATIONS OF SPATIALLY INTEGRATED SOCIAL SCIENCE (SISS)
[4 hours] This course will examine the historical development of the social sciences, their philosophical and methodological approaches to research, and the emergence of the spatial perspective in social science research.

SISS 8020:  SISS THEORY
[3 hours]  Advanced study of SISS requiring preparedness in theoretical and methodological aspects of spatial analysis in social sciences focusing on the spatial organization of society and spatial human and social dynamics.

SISS 8030:  ADVANCED SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS                
[3 hours]  Examination of spatial processes: spatial autoregressive models, gaussian Markov random field models, auto-logistic models, spatial discrete choice models. The topics include spatial panel data models, their applications and estimation methods.

SISS 8040:  RESEARCH DESIGN                                                           
[2 hours]  Introduces students to research and research technicalities, including what is research, how to write research papers and research proposals, and how to design and manage a research project.

Advanced Seminar Courses

SISS 7030:  GEO-COMPUTATION                                                
[3 hours] Computational foundations of spatial analysis. Elements of computational geometry, finite mathematics, surface modeling and computation of continuous phenomena.  Specialized numerical analysis of spatial data within a GIS environment. 

SISS 8150:   ADVANCED QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS IN SISS      
[3 hours] Advanced qualitative analysis techniques and applications to a broad range of spatially oriented social science problems. 

SISS 8160:   POLICY EVALUATION AND SISS                                       
[3 hours] Examination of the role of space, place and location in the analysis of public policy, with particular emphasis on spatial approaches to needs analysis and policy and program evaluation. 

SISS 8170:   SPACE AND SOCIETY:  CRITICAL THEORY IN SISS  
[3 hours] Critical examination of both the role of spatial inquiry and its limitations to the understanding of society and space. 

SISS 8180:  DISCRETE CHOICE SPATIAL PROCESS MODELING    
[3 hours]  The study of the human factor in spatial processes with the aim to advance understanding of spatial aspects of social dynamics by modeling discrete choice spatial processes.

SISS 8190:   ADVANCED MODELING METHODS AND TECHNIQUES IN SISS  
[3 hours] Advanced spatial modeling techniques for social scientists including a detailed examination of the role of systems theory and operations research in SISS. 

SISS 8200:   SPATIAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE ENVIRONMENT  
[3 hours] Examination of the relationship between SISS approaches and human interaction with the natural environment. 

SISS 8210:  SPATIAL TRANSPORT MODELING AND PLANNING          
[3 hours]  A specialized course dealing with the modeling and simulation of transportation systems and planning for future transportation facilities.

SISS 8920:  DIRECTED READINGS IN SISS    
[3 hours] Independent study of research literature in Spatially Integrated Social Science and related fields. 

SISS 8940:  SEMINAR IN SPECIAL TOPICS     
[3 hours] Discussion of the major advances in Spatially Integrated Social Science as presented in the primary research in a selected topic or set of topics.

SISS 8960:  DOCTORAL DISSERTATION  
[3 hours] Graduate research towards the completion of a doctoral degree in SISS.