Resources
Instructor Information
Instructor
Jan Van Sickle
Senior Lecturer
2217 Earth & Engineering Sciences
University Park, PA 16802
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
- Phone: (303) 915 4669 (The country code for the United States is 1)
- Email: Please use the course e-mail system (see the Inbox link in Canvas)
- Availability: Students are welcome to contact me by email anytime; I usually am able to respond within 24 hours. Although e-mail correspondence is preferred, students may also contact me by telephone at the number above from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday through Friday, U.S. Eastern Time.
Welcome to GEOG 862
I am Jan Van Sickle, and I am the course lead instructor. In this course we will look at some of the upcoming advancements in GNSS. We will take some time to delve into the architecture of the current system and then study the new directions. GPS is about to become part of a larger Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and that interoperability will be discussed.
I have worked with GPS for more than twenty years. I was fortunate to work with the first commercially available GPS receiver, the Macrometer in the early 80s. I have received my PhD in GIS Engineering. I have written three texts on geospatial topics including GPS for Land Surveyors.
Note:
I will read and respond to e-mail and discussion forums at least once per day during the work week (Monday through Friday). You may see me online occasionally on the weekends, but please don't count on it!
Getting Help
Getting Help
Discussion Forums (in Canvas)
- For discussing, collaborating, and asking questions about lessons and general course issues.
- Expect your fellow students, and also the instructor, to respond is discussion forums. You may also find that teaching assistants pop in from time to time.
Conversations (in Canvas)
- First, Please make sure you use Canvas to email your instructor (go to the Inbox in Canvas).
- Check the relevant discussion forum first to see if your question might have already been asked and answered!
- Email the Instructor with questions regarding a graded assignment, course content questions, or a specific issue unique to a student's situation.
Reporting Technical Problems
If you experience technology problems in Drupal (course content), please contact your Instructor. If you are a World Campus student and experience technology problems in Canvas, please contact Penn State's IT Help Portal [1].
It is in your own best interest to be as specific as you possibly can. Vague descriptions of a problem only delay assistance; try to include information such as:
- the specific course page, quiz question, etc., you were on, what you attempted to do when that failed, and the exact language of any error message displayed on your screen;
- the date and time when your problem occurred;
- any other pertinent information (whether the problem happens consistently and always in the same way, etc.).
A member of the Help Desk will be in contact with you to offer assistance.
Note:
All official administrative communications from the Penn State World Campus are sent to students' Penn State email accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, so you don't miss any important information.
Getting Help
Getting Help
Discussion Forums (in Canvas)
- For discussing, collaborating, and asking questions about lessons and general course issues.
- Expect your fellow students, and also the instructor, to respond is discussion forums. You may also find that teaching assistants pop in from time to time.
Conversations (in Canvas)
- First, Please make sure you use Canvas to email your instructor (go to the Inbox in Canvas).
- Check the relevant discussion forum first to see if your question might have already been asked and answered!
- Email the Instructor with questions regarding a graded assignment, course content questions, or a specific issue unique to a student's situation.
Reporting Technical Problems
If you experience technology problems in Drupal (course content), please contact your Instructor. If you are a World Campus student and experience technology problems in Canvas, please contact Penn State's IT Help Portal [1].
It is in your own best interest to be as specific as you possibly can. Vague descriptions of a problem only delay assistance; try to include information such as:
- the specific course page, quiz question, etc., you were on, what you attempted to do when that failed, and the exact language of any error message displayed on your screen;
- the date and time when your problem occurred;
- any other pertinent information (whether the problem happens consistently and always in the same way, etc.).
A member of the Help Desk will be in contact with you to offer assistance.
Note:
All official administrative communications from the Penn State World Campus are sent to students' Penn State email accounts. Be sure to check your Penn State account regularly, so you don't miss any important information.