The prerequisite requirement for Introduction to GIS (EMP 377), one of the courses on the list of upper division science electives for ERE majors, is expected to change soon.  GIS 377 currently has no prerequisite, but if the Department of Environmental Science and Management's proposal is approved by the university (which it is expected to be), the course will have a required prerequisite -- a 100-level Geography class -- starting Fall 2013.

What this means is that next year (AY 2012-13) will be the last year students can take Intro to GIS (EMP 377) without first taking a 3-unit prerequisite.

If students wish to take Intro to GIS without first taking the new prerequisite, they will need to enroll in it next year. The Department of Environmental Science and Management plans to offer Intro to GIS (EMP 377) both fall and spring in 2012/13.  In anticipation of extra demand, they have added extra lab sections (although these will depend on the acquisition of additional instructional capacity needed to staff those extra lab sections).