1

Practical Vector GIS

Some theory behind GISAnd

How to use ESRI’s GeoSpatial Technology

2

Two flavors of GISs• Vector GIS

– Objects represented by:

• points• lines• polygons• large database

each object

• Raster GIS– AREA represented

by:• Grid cells• one value per cell• Large number

thematic layers

Forest road

Cropland stream

Looks like a map

Looks like a dog’s breakfast

3

The Course, briefly• Shared Resource – grad and undergrad• Slightly different requirements for each• Required Text, so to speak, is the ESRI on-

line course “learning ArcGIS desktop 9.2”• “Required” Text is David Theobald’s GIS

Concepts and ArcGIS methods• All this stuff is in the course syllabus

Demo

4

So what do we study?• Working with maps• Mod 1: Getting Started with ArcGIS

Desktop• Mod 2:Creating Map Symbology• Mod 8:Designing Maps with ArcGIS• Whoa! That was a big jump

5

So what do we study?• Mod 3: Referencing Data to Real

Locations (Theory and practice)• Mod 4: Organizing Geographic Data• Mod 5: Creating and Editing Data• Mod 6: Getting Started with GIS

Analysis• Mod 7: Working with

Geoprocessing and Modeling Tools

6

Then…• We do parts of the ESRI raster

course “Learning Spatial Analyst”• 557 folks do a final project – and

present it to the rest of the class.

*See Syllabus!

7

So How does it work?• Each week…

– you do assigned modules and turn in grade(s) earned via email

– Then you do a Class exercise that uses the techniques from the Modules but without any hand holding.

– And there are weekly quizzes

8

Course Attributes

• It is computer intensive and thus can be very frustrating!

It is fast pased and there is a lot to learn

9

• Just learn to walk

away from a problem, talk it over with someone else in the class or me or the TA and let your subconscious work it out!

10

What happens this week?• NO LABS THIS WEEK!• To day we find out who is in the

course• You start work on module 1 in

“Learning ArcGIS Desktop”• Did you all get the course email

with the ESRI passwords???

WHAT ARE LABS• Basically they are help sessions• Attendance is not required• Tues in 314 Baker• Friday in 416 Bray

11

Who are we• Lee Herrington, Professor

emeritus, Resources Information Management 309 Bray, 470-6674

• Alexis Ellis, TA, 402• Jim Halligan, Instructional Support

Specialist. 416 Bray (usually)• OFFICE HOURS TBA

12

What Do you need?1 Ability to access your @syr.edu

email.2 1 gig or more flash drive3 Text at Orange Bookstore

13

Its.syr.edu/netid

14

Requirements• We have not yet really planned on

just how the course will be taught• However, the basic requirement

are:– Modules– “class” exercises– Quizzes AND your– Notebook…

15

The Notebook• In the past students kept a notebook

of what worked and what didn’t• This year there is a required text in

which you will keep detailed notes• And in which there will be reading

assignments (and quiz questions)• The text will be turned in twice

during the semester – and graded16