The date and time of GIS workshops (Click on the link to register for a workshop)

1. Introduction to GIS (February 14 and March 5): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=843

A Geographic Information System (GIS) combines software and digital geographic data to generate maps, tables and interactive analyses of spatial information.  Princeton faculty, students and staff use GIS technology to manage resources, explore spatial relationships, and visualize change. The class, intended for those with no previous GIS experience, describes the technology and includes simple exercises to introduce its capabilities.

2. How to Create and Collect geographic data (February 15 and March 8): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=1158

In this class students will learn how to collect geographic data from Google maps and Google Earth, add GPS data to GIS software, and learn how to georeference a scanned map. The exercise will also show how to extract points, lines, and areas from the georeferenced map.

3. Vector Analysis in GIS (February 22 and March 12): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=839

ArcGIS 10 has a powerful set of software tools to visually explore and analyze spatial information.  Vector GIS data includes point, line and polygon features, which can be selected by proximity or by attributes features have in common.  Intended for students who have taken the previous class or have explored GIS software casually, this class will provide hands-on examples of the most common vector analytical tasks in GIS.

4. Raster Analysis in GIS (February 23 and March 14): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=851

GIS raster datasets are geographic phenomena stored as grid cells or as images.  Each cell or pixel contains information that can be modified to generate new raster data.  ArcGIS 10 has many tools to manage and manipulate raster data information.  Intended for students who have taken the class on vector analysis or have explored GIS software in some detail, this class will give hands-on examples of various raster analysis tools.

5. Working with Data Tables and U.S. Census data in ArcGIS (February 28 and March 26): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=853

ArcGIS 10 has many different ways to access data sets, display them in a map, and analyze relationships over time and space. US Census data can be integrated with GIS boundary files to analyze the spatial relationships of poverty, ethnicity, environmental risk, and other parameters.  Hands-on examples will show how to find and download demographic data, how to combine the data with GIS files, and how to view the data in ArcMap. The class will work with historic US demographic data and explore the use of tables in ArcGIS. The session will assist any GIS user who wants to include tabular data in a spatial analysis.

6. Making Maps and Presentations using ArcMap in ArcGIS (March 1 and March 28): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=854

Maps can be extremely effective in communicating knowledge about an area.  ArcGIS ArcMap has a variety of tools and techniques to design maps.  Hands-on exercises will show how to use map-making tools within the software, and introduce common cartographic techniques.  The session will discuss how to design maps for a variety of presentation formats.

7. Using ModelBuilder and Python Scripts in ArcGIS (April 11): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=1159

GIS users often want to run a process multiple times, changing the inputs, parameters or summaries generated.  ArcGIS has many ways to help users automate processes. The exercises show users how to use graphic tools in ModelBuilder, and how to modify Python scripts to perform repetitive tasks and build simple models.

8. Global Positioning Systems and GIS (April 18): https://wass.princeton.edu/pages/viewcalendar.page.php?cal_id=1479

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers collect spatial information for use in GIS and elsewhere.  The accuracy, precision and overall capabilities of GPS receivers differ dramatically. The basic concepts of GPS will be introduced, and a variety of GPS receivers will be used to collect locations on campus.  The data collected will then be uploaded and displayed in ArcGIS, Google Earth, and other applications.

The classes will be held in the Lewis Library Electronic Classroom 225 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.