This 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 visualise 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.

Designed for

This course is designed for those who are new to GIS and ArcGIS, or those who are infrequent users of ArcGIS who do not have a GIS background.

Learning outcome

- Explain what a GIS is and what it can do

- Work with and create GIS maps in ArcMap

- Access and query a GIS database

- Describe two common GIS data structures

- Explain what geographic data is, how it is made, and where to get it

- Explain what spatial analysis is and solve geographic problems using ArcGIS analysis tools

Course content

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

- Symbolising features based on their attributes

- Labelling features based on their attributes

Creating map layouts

- Understanding data view and layout view

- 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

- Symbolising rasters

- 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

Analysing spatial relationships

- Understanding overlay and buffer

- Accessing tools in ArcToolbox™

- Performing Union and Intersect

Solving problems with GIS

- Applying the geographic inquiry process

- Creating a map to show results