Courses Related to Computer Applications, GIS, and Research Methods in Public Affairs

Courses Suitable for PA Students

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official catalog

MyPack listings

Student-Recommended Courses, 2009

NCSU: 
"	EAC 785  Qualitative  Research in ADE 
"	ELP 736 Public Education Policy - I recommend highly that PhD students in our department explore 
qualitative methods for conducting dissertation research. These courses provided me with an opportunity 
to understand how qualitative research is used in other disciplines as well as with an opportunity to 
appreciate how I can use qualitative research methods within the context of my own dissertation research. 
"	ELP 795M is a good course that focuses on many of the same areas as PA 765. This was a good course 
for me because I completed PA 765 early in the program. This anchored many of the topics that Dr. Garson 
provides in PA 765.
"	NR GIS courses to PA students. They are very informative and also teaches a completely different 
set of skills to social science students.
"	PSY 710: 
o	Women, Community, and Power: Great seminar on community from a gender studies perspective 
(Taught by Mary Weir) 
o	Leadership Research
o	Qualitative Methods - Pam Martin (3 nominations)
"	PSY 720, Psych Survey (Klein) (2 nominations) An excellent class
"	PSY 752 Action Research (3 nominations) a good complement to the methods courses taught in our 
department. It adds qualitative and applied aspects to the quantitative instruction we receive in PA. 
(Taught by Denis Gray) 
"	PSY 757 Innovation and Technology is a course I would recommend. This course requires MUCH 
reading but great articles are discussed, whether one is focusing on technology/innovation or not. 
(Taught by Denis Gray) 
"	PSY 762, Quasi-Experimental Evaluation Design  This strengthened my understanding of research 
design and the various ways research can be critiqued.
"	PSY 768 Organizational Psychology with Pond (Ultimately course was not the best fit for my specialty, 
highly recommend as far as content is concerned.); PSY 768 & PSY 770 Organization Development and Change- 
good course to take for those interested in Organizational Development; Dr. Ponds is very enthusiastic 
about material and helpful in developing research ideas
"	PSY 770 - I/O Psychology w/ Dr. Mark Wilson (I think that this is the wrong number may be PSY764; 
770 is Organizational Dev & Change with Pond)
"	Organizational Psychology w/Pond (Ultimately course was not the best fit for my specialty, highly 
recommend as far as content is concerned.)
"	Psych Any of Jason Allaire's methods courses 
Psych Special Topics: :Multivariate Analysis, Regression, and Multi-level Modeling
"	ST 514 - Regression
"	PA770 Public Management  (3 nominations) Salient issue for public administration scholarship in 
general and builds well on coursework that any MPA holder would have had.) (Taught by Jim Swiss) 
"	Any courses offered in the training and development program within the School of Education.
"	NR GIS courses to PA students. They are very informative and also teaches a completely different 
set of skills to social science students.

UNC-CH: 
	HBHE 710 Community Competence, Capacity & Power: Wonderful class with an amazing instructor; 
made me think in entirely different ways about the world and 	the way we live in it.
	POLS 891 (Special Topics- Organized Interest Groups) UNC - Virginia Gray
"	PAD Dr. Vogt's Capital Budgeting class 


Note and comment on electives that you have taken in other departments that you would NOT recommend 
to other PhD students 
ELP 742, while a good course, is not as sophisticated as the research methods courses provided in PA. 
As mentioned above, if anyone wants to add another methods course, try ELP 795M
NR533- This course is completely about script writing in GIS (even though the word script is not used 
in course description.) Multiple instructors involved in teaching, and slow/no response at times.
PHI 816
ST A few years ago I took the time series class in the stats department, but found it overwhelming.

Information Systems

PA 542 (Public Information Technology, 3 credits, Dave Garson)). *May temporarily be offered as a PA 598 special topics course until the paperwork goes through. Managing public information technology, implementation success factors, needs assessment, contract management, project management, liability and risk management, strategic planning, evaluating public information technology, history and legislation, coordination and data sharing, regulation of the Internet and of the IT sector, privacy, security, and intellectual property issues, organization theory of public information technology.
PA 543 (E-Government, 3 credits, Dave Garson)). *May temporarily be offered as a PA 598 special topics course until the paperwork goes through. Utopian and dystopian visions of e-governance, e-democracy and the the digital divide, the e-government business model, e-government history and legislation, citizen access and governmental e-services, e-procurement, e-licensing, regulating and taxing e-commerce, training for e-public service, government website design and assessment.
PA 540 (Computer Applications in Public Affairs, 3 credits, Dave Garson) - This course is "bracketed" and may no longer be offered. No prerequisites. How to put your agency on the web, including coverage of telecommunications tools, graphics software, web authoring software, and the conduct of online research.
Business Management (MBA). The MBA program specializes in information technology and has a listing of several courses suitable for PA students with this interest. Click here for the business management course list. Faculty to contact in BUS area are Steve Allen (515-6941), Pam Bostrick (515-5587), Jim Powell (513-1004), and Michael Rappa.
Information Security Program. Click here to view the list of undergraduate and graduate courses on information security studies, predominantly in the Computer Science Department.
CSC 423 (Information Resources Management), Preq: CSC 314 and CSC 224
CSC 440 Database Management Systems
CSC 474 Information Systems Security
CSC 513 Electronic Commerce Technology 3(3-0-0) F and S Preq: CSC 501
CSC 540 Database Management Concepts and Systems 3(3-0-0) F Preq: CSC 316
CSC 546 (Management Decisions and Control, 3 credits, Tom Honeycutt) - CSC 423, BUS 541, PA 540, or equivalent intro to informations systems and computing (Spring)
ECI 483 An Introduction to Media and Instructional Technology
ECI 511 Computer Applications and Curriculum Integration in K-12 Instruction 3(3-0-0) F,Sum Preq: Graduate Standing
ECI 514 Multimedia Design and Applications in K-12 Instruction 3(3-0-0) F, Sum Preq: Graduate Standing
ECI 515 Internet Applications and Web Design in K-12 Settings 3(3-0-0) S, Sum Preq: ECI 511, ECI 514
ECI 516 Design and Evaluation Of Instructional Materials
ECI 517 Advanced Multimedia Design and Applications in K-12 Instruction 3(3-0-0) S in Alt Yr (odd) Preq: ECI 511, ECI 514
ECI 518 Program and Staff Development in Instructional Technology 3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs(even) Preq: ECI 511, ECI 514, ECI 515, ECI 642
ECI 519 Special Problems in Instructional Technology 1-6 F,S,Sum Preq: Six hours of ED or PSY and Consent of Instructor
ECI 711 Computer Applications and Curriculum Integration in K-12 Instruction 3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum Preq: Graduate Standing.
*ECI 714 Computer Applications In Instruction 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: Six hrs. ED or PSY or Consent of Instructor
*ECI 715 Development Of Microcomputer Software For Instruction 3(3-1-0) F Preq: Six hrs. ED or PSY or Consent of Instructor
ECI 717 Advanced Multimedia Design and Applications in K-12 Instruction 3(3-0-0) S, Alt Yr(odd) Preq: ECI 511, ECI 514
ECI 718 Program and Staff Development in Instructional Technology 3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs(even) Preq: ECI 511, ECI 514, ECI 515, ECI 642
ECI 719 Special Problems in Instructional Technology 1-6 F,S,Sum Preq: Six hours of ED or PSY and Consent of Instructor
HI 589 Automation and Public History S 3(3-0-0) Preq: HI 586 and 596. Note there are other archiving courses relevant to information systems but not specifically computer-oriented: HI 586, HI 587, HI 588.
OR 501 Introduction to Operations Research 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: MA 421 or ST 421 or ST 371 and ST 372
OR 502 Introduction to Systems Theory 3(3-0-0) F Preq: MA 341, ST 371
OR (MA) 504 Introduction to Mathematical Programming 3(3-0-0) F Preq: MA 242, MA 405
OR (IE) (MA) 505 Linear Programming 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: MA 405
PSY 757 Innovation and Technology: A Socio-Technical Perspective 3(3-0-0) F Preq: 3 hrs. grad. ST or research methods
PSY (IE) 740 Human Factors In Systems Design 3(3-0-0) F Preq: IE 452 or PSY 340 Coreq: ST 507 or 511
PSY (IE) 744 Human Information Processing 3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs.; Sum Preq: PSY 200, ST 507 and 508 or equivalent
PSY 763 Systems Theory and Applications In Human Resource Development 3(3-0-0) F Preq: PSY 750 or equivalent
PSY 802 Area Seminar In Ergonomics
ST 445 Introduction to Statistical Computing and Data Management 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 302
ST (MA) (OR) 706 Nonlinear Programming 3(3-0-0) F, S Preq: OR(IE,MA) 505 and MA 425 or equivalent
ST (BMA) (OR) 722 Decision Analytic Modeling 4(3-2-0) F, Alt Yrs Preq: MA 421 or ST 421 plus ST 511 or ST 516

Geographic Information Systems

here

Contact Person, NCSU GIS Certificate and Co-Major Programs

*PA 541(Geographic Information Systems for Public Administration, 3 credits, F, Sum; Dave Garson - an introduction to GIS; recommended prior to taking more technical GIS courses in PRT or NR. NR 532 would normally be the course following this one at present (Summer 2005), followed by NR 533. However, under an anticipated reorganization NR 531 would be the next course, followed by NR 532 (NR 533 would disappear). Spring and Summer Session II terms.
PRT 462 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: CNR 134 - This is the basic introductory course in Forestry's 3-semester sequence. It uses ArcView. It is an Internet course and may be offered in the summer also. PA 541 or PRT 462 may be used as the entry-level course for a GIS sequence. One would not take both except in unusual circumstances.
NR 531 Introduction to Geographic Information Science 3(3-0-1) F,S. Preq: Graduate standing or PBS status; proficiency with WindowsNT,98, or 2000 and in web browsing(Netscape or Explorer) to the level described in the NCSU Computing essentials+CD is required. At present (Summer 2005) NR 531 has about a two-thirds overlap with PA 541 but in the near future a reorganization is expected which differentiate NR 531 markedly, emphasizing GIS concepts and analysis. Credit will not be given for both PRT 462 and NR/PRT 531 One would normally not take this course and PA 541 either.
*NR 532 Principles of Geographic Information Science 3(3-0-0) F, S Preq: NR/PRT 531 or PA 541 or ECI 630/496E or SSC 495G This is normally the second course in the GIS sequence, covering ArcInfo, and following PA 541 or PRT 462. A reorganization is expected which will absorb NR 533, which will disappear.
*NR 533 Application Issues In Geographic Information Systems 3(3-0-0) F, S. Preq: NR/PRT 532 This is normally the third course in the GIS sequence. Under an anticipated reorganization, this course may disappear.
NR 535 Computer Cartography 2(2-0-0) F,S Sum Preq: PRT 462 or NR/PRT 531. Offered only through the Internet
FOR 353 Air Photo Interpretation and Photogrammetry 3(2-3-0) F Preq: MA 114
*FOR 510 Introduction to GPS 1(2-2-0) F,S
*FOR 554 Principles of Spatial Analysis 3(2-3-0) F
FOR 753 Environmental Remote Sensing 3(2-3-0) F, Alt. yrs. Preq: FOR 353 .
CE 538 Information Technology and Modeling 3(3-1-0) Spring. Engineering-oriented (engineering design, construction, and materials management) introduction to GIS, with a focus on spatial databases and case studies (highways, facilities layout, others). For entry, contact the instructor first: Prof. W. Radorf (515-7637, rasdorf@eos.ncsu.edu).
LAR 500 Landscape Design Studio 6(0-12-0) F,S Preq: Grad. standing (6 credits: specify the GIS section)
ST 733 Applied Spatial Statistics 3(3-1-0) S Alt Yrs. (Even). Preq: ST 512. Covers spatial autoregressive modeling, spatial sampling, and other approaches to graphical and quantitative description of spatial data. Prerequisite: ST 512. Has lab - ST 733L.

Statistics and Methodology

*(Ph.D. requirement) PA 765 (formerly 671; Quantitative Research Methods in Public Administration, 3 credits, Spring semesters, G. David Garson). This is an intermediate course in research methodology, with a focus on how publishable journal articles are written. Journal articles in public administration are examined in detail, with students expected to evaluate and critique all aspects of methodology. At the same time, the course provides a consolidation of understanding of the assumptions of basic social science research methodology from descriptive statistics through multiple regression, and corequisite introduction to multivariate analysis methods such as discriminant analysis, factor analysis, canonical correlation, and other designs. Prerequisites: ST 507or equivalent and PA 515 or equivalent. Equivalent for ST 507 may include ST 508, ST 511, or ST 514); ST 508 is more directly relevant than ST 507..
BUS 550 - Data Analysis & Forecasting Methods for Management
EAC 795 Topical Problems in Adult and Community College Education A course on "Advanced Quantitative Modeling," offered Summer I by Marvin Titus, covering multilevel modeling/hierarchical linear models.
*PSY 535 Tests and Measurements 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: Six hrs. of PSY
PSY 710 Special Topics in Psychology. A course on multilevel modeling/hierarchical linear models offered in spring terms by Shevaun Neupert.
PSY 714 Social Psychology: Small Groups Research 3(3-0-0) S Preq: PSY 511
PSY 720 Psychological Survey Operations 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 507 or equivalent
PSY 752 Action Research In Psychology 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 511 or equivalent Coreq: ST 508 or equivalent
PSY 755 Cross-Cultural Research and Development 3(3-0-0) F, S Alt yrs Preq: ST 507 or equivalent, grad. standing Coreq: ST 508 or Consent of Instructor
PSY 756 Consumer Research 3(3-0-0) S Alt yrs Preq: ST 507 or equivalent, grad. standing or PBS status Coreq: ST 508
PSY 761 Psychological Measurement 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 507 or 511 or equivalent, 12 hrs. of PSY
PSY 762 Quasi-Experimental Evaluation Design 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 507 or equivalent
*SOC 707 Quantitative Sociological Analysis 3(3-0-0) Fall Preq: ST 507 Covers multiple regression and path analysis, including regression diagnostics. SOC 707-SOC 708 are recommended for PA students in lieu of ST 507-508.
*SOC 708 Advanced Sociological Analysis 3(3-0-0) Fall Preq: SOC 711, ST 507 or ST 711 . Covers logistic regression and structural equation modeling. Prerequisites: ST 507.
SOC 711 Research Methods In Sociology I 3(3-0-0) Fall. Preq: SOC 300, ST 311 or equivalent
SOC 712 Advanced Survey Research Methods 3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs(odd) Preq: SOC 711 and SOC 707 (or consent of instructor)
SOC 715 Qualitative Sociological Methods and Analysis 3(3-0-0) F Alt Yrs(odd) Preq: Graduate Standing
ST 432 Introduction to Survey Sampling 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 302 . This course is recommended by the Statistics Department for PA students. Prerequisites: ST 507 and ST 508. Matrix algebra not required.
ST 505 Applied Nonparametric Statistics 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 372 or ST 511
*ST 507 Statistics For the Behavioral Sciences I 3(3-0-0) F,S Basic introduction to inferential statistics, distributions, hypothesis-testing. This is not considered advanced enough preparation for ST 514 or more difficult courses, but it is the usual recommended first course in ST for MPA students, but see note below on ST 511. ST 507 covers mostly normal distribution hypothesis testing, but usually there is two weeks on correlation and regression and one or two weeks on ANOVA. Most MPA students take ST 507, not ST 508. ST 507 does not count for the Ph.D. in Public Administration
*ST 508 Statistics For the Behavioral Sciences II 3(3-0-0) F,S Preq: ST 507 or Consent of Instructor . This course will give a solid background in analysis of variance and multiple regression. PA students need either this or ST 512 before taking ST 514 or more difficult courses. This is the recommended second course for PA students, after ST 507. If you have had two undergraduate statistics courses, you may consider entering ST 508 directly.
ST 511 Experimental Statistics For Biological Sciences I 3(3-0-0) F,S,Sum Preq: ST 311 or grad. standing Introductory-level treatment of variance, distributions, significance testing, ANOVA, and regression. Biology examples. ST 511 is not considered advanced enough to be good preparation for ST 514 or more difficult courses. MPA students normally take ST 507, not ST 511, but ST 511, though providing less relevant examples, is better preparation for ST 512, which teaches matrix algebra, which in turn is a prerequisite for ST 517, ST 730, ST 731, and others. Note, since ST 507 and ST 508 are not offered in summer, the summer course instructors have been instructed to offer courses in ST 511 and ST 512 that are accessible to behavioral science students. Note, ST 511, unlike ST 507, does count toward the Ph.D. in Public Administration.
ST 512 Experimental Statistics For Biological Sciences II 3(3-1-0) F,S,Sum Preq: ST 511 . Covers covariance, multiple regression, curvilinear regression, experimental design, factorial experiments, and more. Has computer lab. PA students need either this or ST 508 before taking ST 514 or more difficult courses. This course will teach you matrix algebra, which is required for ST 517, ST 730, ST 731, and others. Going from ST 507 into ST 512 is not recommended; rather take ST 511 as an alternative to ST 507 first. Note, since ST 507 and ST 508 are not offered in summer, the summer course instructors have been instructed to offer courses in ST 511 and ST 512 that are accessible to behavioral science students.
ST 514 Statistics For Management and Social Sciences II 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 507 Covers multiple regression and designed experiments, survey research, and computer analysis of data. Prerequisite: ST 507 listed in catalog, but Monahan would recommend ST 508 or ST 512. Monahan uses calculus to teach this course.
ST 552 Linear Models and Variance Components 3(2-2-0) S Preq: MA 405, ST 521 Coreq: ST 522
ST (ECG) 561 Intermediate Econometrics 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ECG 700 and ST 514
ST 708 Applied Least Squares . 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 512 Covers OLS regression and significance testing thereof, ANOVA, ANCOVA. Computer applications to experimental and survey situations. Prerequisite: ST 512 or equivalent (ST 508 okay with instructor permission). Note: requires knowledge of matrix algebra (take or audit ST 512).
ST 711 Design Of Experiments 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 512
ST 715 Theory Of Sampling Applied To Survey Design 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 422, ST 512
ST 730 Applied Time Series Analysis 3(3-0-0) F Preq: ST 512 . Covers trigonometric regression, periodogram/spectral analysis, smoothing, autoregressive moving averages, autocorrelation, linear filters, and bivariate spectral analysis. Prerequisite: ST 512 or equivalent (ST 508 okay with instructor permission). Note: requires knowledge of matrix algebra (take or audit ST 512).
ST 731 Applied Multivariate Statistical Analysis 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 512. Covers MANOVA, discriminant analysis, canonical correlation, principal components factor analysis. Includes computer applications. Prerequisite: ST 701 or equivalent (ST 508 okay with instructor permission). Note: requires knowledge of matrix algebra (take or audit ST 512).
ST 732 Applied Longitudianal Data Analysis 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 512
ST 744 Categorical and Censored Data Analysis 3(3-0-0) S Preq: ST 512 and ST 522
ST 755 Advanced Analysis Of Variance and Variance Components 3(3-0-0) S, Alt yrs Preq: ST 512, ST 552
ST SAS Short Course. The department of Statistics also offers a non-credit short course on SAS once a semester. See http://www.stat.ncsu.edu/courses/sasclass/.
ELP 742 Applied Research Methods In Education 3(1-4-0) S, F Preq: ST 507 and ELP 532 or equivalent
EAC 795C Topical Problems in Adult and Community College Education. 3(3-0-0). The special topics course was offered Summer 2005 and is planned for summer terms. Dr. Titus. Covers hierarchical linear modeling.

Other

Online PA Courses at Other Colleges -- You probably cannot arrange to get credit for these, but these online PA courses may provide valuable resource materials for the information management and other PA courses you take here.
If you know of any others that should be added to this list, or if you think listed ones should be modified in wording or dropped, please e-mail David_Garson@ncsu.edu.