1. What is GIS?
Introduction

2. Objectives
Developing a basic understanding of what GIS is, its operations, and its uses.
Getting familiar with GIS project management.
Learning to plan a GIS project and write a project proposal.

3. Break it down…. Short Answer: Geographic: ge·o·graph·ic adj
relating to geography in general, or to the geography of a specific region
Information: in·for·ma·tion n.
1. definite knowledge acquired or supplied about something
Systems: sys·tem n
7. an assembly of electronic components that function together as a unit

4. What is GIS? How it’s built….
Computer Hardware Platform
Computer
GIS Software
ArcGIS
Data Storage
Internet, etc.

5. What is GIS? How it’s built….
Data Input Hardware
Scanners, etc.
Information Output Hardware
Color printer
GIS Data
Variety and a plethora
People
All good, but need you!

6. GIS Software Data entry from a variety of sources
Digitizing
Scanning
Text files
Data management tools
Building data sets
Editing spatial features & attributes
Mapping

7. GIS Software Thematic mapping Data analysis Map layout Displaying
Symbolizing
Combing layers
Data analysis
Map layout
Soft and Hard copies
Titles, scale bars, north arrows, other elements

8. History of GIS 2nd century B.C. Early computers Dr. Roger Tomlinson
“Father of GIS”
Canada

9. History of GIS 1969: Laura & Jack Dangermond
Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI)

10. So, what can it do?
Land use planning, environmental management, business marketing, sociological analysis, etc.
Elk Habitat Study (p. 4)

11. Terms to know Aspatial data Spatial data Layers
Not tied permanently to
House address
Spatial data
Tied to a specific location on the Earth’s surface
Layers
Single file of related objects

12. Projects…yes, you will do one!
It’s 50% of your grade, so it’s important.
Identify additional project needs
Identify project needs
Develop suitable model
Evaluate data
Correct data
Obtain more data?
Collect required data
Perform analysis
Evaluate results
Present results

13. It’s not as difficult as it seems!
Planning a GIS Project
Decide on a topic of interest.
Formulate a specific question
Decide on an approach/model to use
Determine data (layer available?)
Write a proposal
It’s not as difficult as it seems!