Geomatics, the collection, storage and analysis of geographic data, has been growing for nearly 40 years because of more sophisticated data collection and analysis by computers and satellite positioning technology, Dennis Kingston, the college’s academic chairman, said in an interview Thursday at the Middleton site of the Valley campus.

"More people can collect more data more easily. The trick is, how do you manage all this data and how do you massage it to get the most value out of it?"

Kathleen Stewart, an instructor for the new program, said Google Earth is an example of geomatics. The popular maps that can be accessed by home computers are the result of analysis of stored data from satellites.

Other examples of consumer products using the technology include Onstar in some vehicles and hand-held global positioning systems.

However, geomatics programmers will study ways to use geographic data for other applications as diverse as flood prediction, locating tidal and wind power sites, finding mineral deposits, land-use planning, studying animal habitat and identifying coastal risks for real estate...

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