Henrique Momm

henrique.momm@mtsu.edu

Warner Cribb

Geosciences

Master Classroom

KOM308

N/A

N/A

This request is to replace the computing infrastructure of the TAF-FUNDED master instructional classroom in KOM308. These computers are required for undergraduate and graduate (MSPS) education in the Department of Geosciences. Current courses using this infrastructure include PGEO: 4380, 4490, 4510, 4530/5530, 4560/5560, 4570/5570, 6050, and 6040 (130 students, 4,420 SCH). All of these courses use this infrastructure to consolidate theoretical concepts and to develop vital practical skills using specialized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) software packages. In addition to Geosciences majors, these courses attract and serve students from a wide range of departments such as Biology, Anthropology, History, Aerospace, and many others. Departments other than Geosciences also schedule classes in KOM308. The current computers are almost six years old and were scheduled for replacement in 2013-2014 (currently, the University is working on 2010-2011). In addition, the GIS/RS software packages and datasets require large computational resources, which the current system lacks. These computers were recently upgraded from XP to Windows 7, which alone consumes 80% of the computers resources. Work orders are frequently placed to address routine hardware failures. Academic performance has been affected during laboratory examinations. Lack of the requested infrastructure will significantly impact the Department of Geosciences ability to attract and retain undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the quality of our GIS and RS programs.