UPDATES FROM CENTERS AND MORE
CGIS Students, Faculty Create Online Maps to Track US COVID-19 Cases by County FACULTY MEMBERS AND STUDENTS in the Center for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS) worked together to create two mapping platforms to show positive COVID-19 cases in the United States. Dr. Junchuan Fan and Yao Li created the map visualizations. Hai Lan, Jeff Sauer, Zhiyue Xia, and Guimin Zhu also assisted with data collection, preprocessing and organization.
Visualization by Junchuan Fan, CGIS; data source: Johns Hopkins University
The point map (see image above)—available at go.umd.edu/cgispointmap— shows the latest number of COVID-19 cases for U.S. counties.The left side shows the total number of cases, latest time stamp update, as well as the top 10 states and counties with the most reported positive cases. “The overall goal was to create a kind of free tool to give a more intuitive picture of the disease to people who want to monitor the data—maybe federal officials deciding how to distribute resources, or a state government that wants to see what’s happening in its region,” Fan said. The choropleth map—available at go.umd.edu/choropleth—shows a timeline of positive COVID-19 cases across the United States. The user can toggle the bar across the bottom of the map to change the date and see the total number of cases on a particular day, with a visualization of the positive cases that darken in color as the numbers rise. CGIS focuses on supporting the development of next-generation geospatial information science, and pioneers innovative research capabilities using geospatial technologies.
•
BSOS Online
Online Master’s Program Designed for Public Safety Officials A NEW ONLINE master’s degree program developed jointly by BSOS and the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law will prepare public safety officials for careers in a rapidly changing landscape. The Master’s of Professional Studies in Public Safety Leadership and Administration (PLA) is set to launch in the fall. The curriculum is a response to a growing need for advanced training in leadership, policy, and law for police, public safety officials and other public servants. The program is funded by The University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State. “Law enforcement faces challenges in the twenty-first century that we couldn’t have anticipated just a few decades ago. Advances in AI technology and predictive policing, the emergence of social media and increased public scrutiny, and increased coordination between local, state, and federal agencies— these all have an impact on public safety,” said Professor Rashawn Ray of the Department of Sociology. “We designed this program alongside law enforcement professionals and criminal justice practitioners who are dealing with new phenomena and working with members of their communities every day to keep people safe.” While working toward the master’s degree, students will earn two graduate certificates— one in Criminal Justice Administration and one in Leadership in Diverse Organizations. Both the graduate certificates and the Master’s degree can be completed in 15 months. All courses are online to give students flexibility, as many who enroll are likely to be working professionals.
•
Read more at geospatial.umd.edu BSOS Online Learn more at go.umd.edu/plamaryland
26 | College of Behavioral and Social Sciences: Be the Solution