ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS

2008 Schedule

Sep 9-10

Oct 14-15

Nov 11-12

Dec 2-3

2009 Schedule

Jan 6-7	Feb 3-4	Mar 3-4	Apr 7-8
May 5-6	Jun 2-3	Jul 7-8	Aug 11-12
Sep 8-9	Oct 13-14	Nov 10-11	Dec 1-2

Purpose of the Course

This two-day course provides the foundation for understanding what GIS is, what it can do, and how others are using it. You learn the basic functions of a GIS, why a GIS database is powerful, and what coordinate systems and map projections are and why they are important. In course exercises, you work with ArcMap to visualize geographic data, create maps, query a GIS database, perform spatial analysis using common analysis tools, and solve geographic problems using a systematic approach. This course teaches the skills and knowledge needed to take other ArcGIS Desktop courses.

This course is for those with no prior GIS education or workplace experience with GIS.

You will learn fundamental GIS concepts and basic ArcGIS skills, which makes this course a good choice if you would like to take more advanced ArcGIS Desktop courses or would simply like to understand more about how GIS fits into your organization.

Topics Covered

The big picture of GIS

Basic functions of a GIS; Real-world applications

Exploring GIS maps

Defining features, layers, and data frames; Exploring map scale; Understanding the relationship between features and attributes

Exploring a GIS database

Exploring attribute tables; Identifying features; Symbolizing features based on their attributes; Labeling features based on their attributes

Creating map layouts

Understanding data view and layout view; Using the Layout toolbar; Using map templates; Modifying map elements; Printing maps

Understanding location

Defining coordinate systems and map projections; Reading and finding location coordinates on a map; Measuring area and distance on a map

Understanding raster and vector data

Representing geography; Storing real-world locations; Symbolizing rasters; Using raster and vector data together; Understanding geodatabases

Acquiring geographic data

Data formats; Methods of creating geographic data; Using ArcCatalog to explore geographic data; Using metadata

Querying data

Understanding and performing attribute queries; Understanding and performing spatial queries

Analyzing spatial relationships

Understanding overlay; Understanding buffer; Accessing tools in ArcToolbox; Performing Union and Intersect; Buffering features

Solving problems with GIS

Applying the geographic inquiry process; Using GIS tools to solve a geographic problem; Creating a map to show results

Last modified 8/11/08