The KeyBank Professional Development Center at UW Tacoma will offer a series of workshops in geographic information systems beginning Feb.12. The three-month program is designed for those seeking knowledge and skills in GIS, a computer-based mapping tool.

GIS software takes information from a database about geographic features such as streets, buildings, water features or terrain and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see such geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location and its relationship to the environment around it. Public and private enterprises use GIS for explaining events, predicting outcomes and planning strategies.

The Professional Development Center’s continuing-education GIS program offers a foundation in concepts required for spatial modeling with a variety of digital data and is recommended for anyone involved in urban and regional planning, environmental research, resource management, crime analysis, marketing, real estate, medical research and various branches of government.

“Introduction to ArcGIS 1” is the first class. The workshop will be held in the GIS computer classroom from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 12 on the UWT campus, at South 19th Street and Pacific Avenue. Students will use computers to explore fundamental concepts of GIS software applications. The workshop series continues through May; visit the Professional Development Center Web site at http://www.tacoma.washington.edu/pdc for a full schedule.

The cost for the entire program is $1,295, plus the cost of textbooks and a one-time $10 registration fee for new students. To register or request a course schedule, contact the Professional Development Center at (253)
692-4618.

The KeyBank Professional Development Center offers a wide range of continuing-education courses, seminars and workshops for public- and
private-sector professionals and groups. The Center is made possible at UWT by a generous gift from KeyBank and the Dimmer Family Foundation.