GIS Quick Start II PDF Print E-mail
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Dates: March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 8
Time: Thursday evening 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Mission Campus (BLDG-B), Fourth Floor - Room 475
(1125 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA)
Course #: TM107 Enroll Now
Cost: Early Reg. $180 | $210
(Early registration fee is available up to one week before the start of class)
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Prerequisite: GIS Quick Start or equivalent required
 
 
 
Overview
Geographic Information Systems, GIS, is a rapidly-evolving technology involving the study of spatial location and relationships. Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) suite of GIS software, especially ArcGIS 9.3.1, has become the industry standard and is used by most government agencies and private firms engaged in geospatial analysis.
 
This workshop is designed for those students interested in gaining intermediate to advanced-level skills in the use of ArcGIS 9.3.1.  The format will be a combination of lecture and hands-on exercises, during which students will explore GIS concepts and applications.  The primary objective of the workshop is for students to acquire a set of skills sought by today's employers.  In so doing, students will use real-world vector and raster geospatial data from a variety of sources, including the City and County of San Francisco. 
 
The five week workshop will focus on the following:

 

 • Geocoding addresses using ArcGIS Address Locators and a web-based geocoding application
 • Georeferencing non-spatial raster imagery to spatially-accurate vector base maps
 • Geoprocessing using tools like, Buffer, Clip and Union; visualizing workflows using ModelBuilder
 • Animating geospatial data
 • Exploring Network Analyst, an extension of ArcGIS used for analyzing transportation networks
 • Application of GIS skills to collaboratively address an urban planning issue

 

Since GIS is a "use it or lose it" skill, a short portion of the first class will serve as a "GIS Refresher" to ensure that the basics of ArcGIS 9.3.1 are understood before moving to higher-level skills. 

 
Workshop Includes
  • Hands on lab time and opportunities to work one-on-one with the instructor
  • Access to the CCSF lab during the semester
  • Certificate of Completion
 
 

 

Prerequisites

(1) This workshop is intended for those who already possess an understanding of ArcGIS basics: viewing data in ArcCatalog, creating and editing data in ArcMap, spatial queries and symbology, basic geoprocessing, using Census data and the fundamentals of effective map design.  
 
(2) Besides a familiarity with ArcGIS, students need to possess an intermediate-level knowledge of the Windows XP operating system and Excel.  This includes creating new files and folders, creating and managing new worksheets in Excel, familiarity with a wide range of file types (e.g. TXT, CSV, XLS, SHP, DBF) and transferring data between computers using a flash drive, or a web-based file transfer service (e.g. www.YousendIt.com) or a CD/DVD.
 
(3) Additional skills expected: storing, copying and management of multiple data types; managing multiple windows and applications; and the discipline to save work frequently.
 
(4) A strong motivation to learn, explore and have fun with computer applications is essential.  This workshop will require a significant amount of independent work and relies heavily on student initiative.
 
(5) An openness to working with other students in the class as a shared learning experience in order to complete assignments, build contacts in the professional GIS world and to support relatively new GIS learners.

 

 
Organization
The structure of each class will generally consist of a short lecture followed by 2 - 2.5 hours of hands-on lab time.  The instructor will open up as much class time as feasible in order to work individually with students and support their learning goals.  Homework assignments and readings may be distributed in order to reinforce GIS concepts and techniques.


Text/Materials
No textbook is required for this workshop.  However, it is strongly recommended that students purchase Getting to Know ArcGIS 9, Second Edition, by Robert Burke.  It is available from many online and in-store retailers including Amazon, Borders and Stacey’s.  The book should be used as a self-study resource for reviewing fundamental ArcGIS concepts and tools.  The goal here is to arrive in this workshop with a firm grasp of the prerequisite topics listed above, and this textbook provides an excellent foundation (and is used in the introductory Quick Start workshop which precedes this workshop).  We will not use this textbook in class.
 
Getting to Know ArcGIS 9, Second Edition Updated for 9.3
By Robert Burke
Link to Amazon, Borders

 

Make sure your copy of the book comes with an evaluation CD for ArcGIS (Note: be wary when ordering from online retailers as evaluation CD's may be faulty or not included).  The CD will be valid for 180 days once activated.

 
 
Recommended Hardware and Software
The classroom computers are available for students to complete lab assignments and homework during open classroom hours.  If a personal computer is used to complete work started in class, a USB flash drive and/or a rewriteable CD/DVD is strongly recommended for saving files and transferring them to the personal computer.  GIS data files can be large, so media with at least 2 GB of capacity are recommended.  Some web-based services such as YouSendIt.com and TransferBigFiles.com provide free transfer of single files up to a certain size, usually 1 GB.  Multiple data files can be consolidated into a single ZIP file prior to transfer.  Notification of successful transfers arrive via email.

To take full advantage of the workshop resources, each student should have access to a computer with an Internet connection and have access to the following software:  Microsoft Internet Explorer (or Firefox), Adobe Acrobat Reader (available free at www.adobe.com), Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Powerpoint. 
 
 
 
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