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Learn to use ArcGIS v9.x effectively, understand geographic theory, map composition, and symbolization. Dive into GIS basics and software functionalities for sophisticated map creation and spatial analysis.
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FOR 357/557 The Course
What is this course about? The basic objective is to teach you how to use ArcGIS v9.x without making a fool of yourself This is not as simple as it sounds!
Simple? • Software has ~1,500 commands, buttons, tools, etc. • And you MUST understand some geographic theory • Projections, datums, etc. • Map Composition and symbolization • Analysis tools
What is GIS, ArcGIS? • GIS: a database system that knows where to put stuff in space • That is pretty simple • It’s really more complex than that but it will do for now
ArcGIS • A state of the art set of software • ArcCatalog – data management • ArcGIS – the working application • Load data • Organize it • Analyze it • Create a map layout
BUT • It is NOT the only GIS • There are many more • But it’s like Word – if you know Word it is pretty easy to figure out WordPerfect • In NY it is the system you are most likely to run into.
The Class • The course is computer intensive! • Figure on 3-6 hrs per week • Computers crash and students (and professionals) screw up • Sometimes due to booby traps The result of this is Frustration!
Expect it! • Don’t sit there and keep doing the same thing over and over • Or going nuts trying other things • JUST WALK AWAY • And let your subconscious work on it
Forwarned is Forarmed!!!
Class • Class meets here (140 Baker)Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30 • A Lab in 314 Baker immediately follows the Tuesday class • A second lab is Friday 1:50-4:50 in 309 Baker
Class • The labs are essentially times when you know you can reach me or Mr. Acee, your TA. • You are NOT required to attend any lab and are free to attend either or both of them.
How the Class works • There is 1 exam – on Oct 9th • There are many quizzes and the focus of them is on terminology and where tool are located in the ArcGIS interface • In other words – how you do things • There are weekly assignments …
Assignments • Each week the following assignments are usually made • A module of or partial module in the ESRI on-line course Learning ArcGIS desktop 9.2 • A no-hands-held assignment by me that reinforces what you learned in the ESRI module(s)
Assignments • Each module has an “exam” • Your grade on each exam will be emailed to mod557@rousmail.esf.edu on the due date • The exercise by me (Class Exercise) is turned in on its due date and follows a specific format. Due dates are specified on the Schedule • You have roughly one week to complete these assignments
Texts • The main text is ESRI’s on-line course “Learning ArcGIS desktop 9.2” • It is free and instructions on how to create your ESRI campus password and the course password have been e-mailed TO YOUR ESF ASSIGNED E-MAIL ADDRESS • Get established in the virtual campus ASAP!
College assigned e-mail • It is very important that you use the e-mail address assigned by the registrar • It is the ONLY one I will use • It is very easy to forward mail from the SU account to the account you usually use – DO IT! • More later…
Doing the on-line course • Method 1 • You can do it by having two windows open on the computer • You then flip back & forth (and lose your place) • Method 2 • Copy and paste lessons/exercises into Word • Print it – now you have a book • You put that next to the computer and check off what you do (and don’t lose your place)
Course Web Resources • The schedule is the key to what is going on. • PowerPoints, exercises, etc. can all be downloaded – we hand out very little paper! (quizzes). • Notes – sources of information • Help at @Help557@rousmail.esf.edu
The Schedule • The course schedule is kept up to date on the web • You can expect changes in the schedule as we work through it so don’t bother to print it! • Where is it? • ? • http://www.esf.edu/FOR/HERRINGTON/557/shd55706.htm
Where are the rules? • On the course Syllabus http://www.esf.edu/for/herrington/557/details557.htm • Course descriptions • Grading rules • Rules about handing stuff in • Etc. READ IT! Note: The only paper handed out in this class is a) Quizzes and b) Grade reports. Everything else is on the web!
Forwarding e-mail • If you don’t want to use your @syr.edu e-mail assigned to you by the College THEN REDIRECT (FORWARD) MAIL to it to the account you usually use • Go to: • http://its.syr.edu/kt/ktdoc.cfm?docId=918
Easy It's easy! So just do it!
Questions about Course Operation