ArcGIS for Environmental Analysis
This one-week intensive course will focus on core GIS skills and introduce some advanced topics, all with an emphasis on conservation GIS. This class is appropriate for new GIS users and for experienced GIS users wanting more in-depth instruction. Juniper GIS courses are based on real projects, with an emphasis on the skills needed to successfully and efficiently complete your projects.
Core GIS skills include compiling and organizing data, understanding projections, using symbology and labels to understand the data, working with table tools to maximize the database functionality of GIS, working with edit tools to create and clean the data, performing basic analysis, and creating finished maps. Students will get to practice and improve these skills while working through typical GIS projects.
Students will also be introduced to some advanced skills – working with Spatial Analyst, learning how to use raster GIS techniques for analysis, using ModelBuilder to create models and tools for analysis, and moving data to and from Google Earth.
The course will work with several analysis projects to demonstrate how these skills can be applied. These projects will use conservation and natural resource data from the US, Kenya and some local data from Mexico. Exercises will work with typical conservation scenarios, such as identifying areas for elephant habitat, displaying coral abundance levels on reefs, or finding sites for a solar greenhouse. If we have time, we will also see how to work with Google Earth and use GPS for some local data collection.
Topics will include:
- Using ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox
- Working with layers, data frames, & maps
- Understanding data types used in ArcGIS
- Projecting data between coordinate systems
- Bringing field data in from GPS
- Selecting and querying features
- Creating & using layer symbology in ArcMap
- Labeling features, working with annotation
- Creating Layer Files and Templates
- Managing & editing tables
- Editing data & managing edit sessions
Basic Geoprocessing & Analysis tools- Creating & Working with Metadata
- Creating layouts in ArcMap
- Using ModelBuilder for Analysis & creating tools.
- Working with Spatial Analyst
- Understanding Raster GIS & Raster Analysis
- Working with Excel
- Creating XY Point Locations from tables
- Georeferencing images
- Using ModelBuilder
- Working with Google Earth
See the full PDF Class Description for the Table of Contents for this course.
Software, Computer and GPS information:
We are planning on teaching this class using ArcGIS 9.3.1, even though ArcGIS 10 will be available by then. One reason is that not everyone will have upgraded by then, and we probably won't have time to rewrite and translate this course by then. While there are changes to the interface, the core functionality is the same and we will have at least one laptop with ArcGIS 10 so we can demonstrate any critical changes.
Students will need to bring a PC laptop with Window's 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7 with at least 500mb of ram (though we recommend not using Vista). Mac laptops running a Window's emulator do not always work well. We will provide evaluation copies of the software to use during, and after you have completed the course. If you do have the software already on your laptop, you are welcome to use that, even if you have ArcGIS 9.2 and not ArcGIS 9.3. For these courses, there is very little difference between the 9.2 and 9.3 versions. If you want to get the software in advance, you can request an evaluation DVD from ESRI at: http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcview/eval/evaluate.html. Since the first session will be loading software, if you already have the software loaded and working, you can spend a few more minutes relaxing.
If you have a GPS unit, please bring that and we will work with you on any data collection issues and on how to make the best use of the GPS. There will be at least one GPS unit that students can work with. If you do have a GPS that you will bring, please let the instructor know so we can be prepared.