GIS for Engineers ERE 551

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GIS for Engineers ERE 551

• Lindi Quackenbush

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Course Overview

• Introduction
• GIS
• Maps and map analysis
• Spatial data
• Characteristics and models
• Coordinate systems and transformations
• Data processing
• Collection and preprocessing
• Management
• Spatial analysis and manipulation
• Output
• Data issues

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Lecture Overview
Introduction to GIS

• GIS Definitions
• Understanding information
• Overview of spatial data
• GISs in problem solving

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What is GIS?
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GIS Definitions
Introduction to GIS

• A computer system capable of assembling, storing,
  manipulating and displaying geographically
  referenced information i.e. data identified
  according to their locations

Source United States Geological Survey (USGS)
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GIS Definitions
Introduction to GIS

• A computer system designed to allow users to
  collect, manage and analyze large volumes of
  spatially referenced and associated attribute
  data

Source National Center for Geographic
Information (NCGIA) Technical paper A glossary
of GIS terminology
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GIS Definitions
Introduction to GIS

• A system of computer software, hardware and data,
  and personnel to help manipulate, analyze and
  present information that is tied to a spatial
  location

Source http//www.gis.com (ESRI)
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GIS Definitions
Introduction to GIS

• A versatile computer tool, assisting in
  conservation planning and decision making for a
  community, region or watershed

Source National Conservation Training Center
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Geographic Information Systems (GISs)
Introduction to GIS

• GIS
• Considerations in a GIS
• Note

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GISs cont.
Introduction to GIS

• Major software components

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GIS - Information
Introduction to GIS

• What is information?
• Why do we need information?
• Types and sources of information
• Spatial vs. non-spatial information
• Collecting information

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Information
Introduction to GIS

• What is it? Why do we need it?

Data Information Knowledge Understanding
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Characteristics of Good Information
Introduction to GIS

• Relevant
• Accurate and reliable
• Understandable and transferable
• Expensive to collect
• Provides power or advantage
• Others?

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Categorizing Information
Introduction to GIS

• Type of information
• Information source
• Data properties

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Types of Environmental Information
Introduction to GIS

• Ecosphere

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Types of Environmental Information cont.
Introduction to GIS

• Sociosphere

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Sources of Information
Introduction to GIS

• Primary acquisition
• Secondary acquisition

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Data Properties Geographic Nature
Introduction to GIS

• Spatial information
• Non-spatial information

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Geographic Nature cont.
Introduction to GIS

• Characteristics of spatial information
• Issue
• Spatial data has two components

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GIS Data
Introduction to GIS
Census Tracts Roads Bus Routes Shopping
Centers Industrial Sites
From The Geographer's Craft, Department of
Geography, University of Colorado at Boulder
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GIS Applications
Introduction to GIS

• The application of GIS is limited only by the
  imagination of those who use it Jack
  Dangermond, President ESRI
• Potential application areas

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GISs and Problem-Solving
Introduction to GIS

• Stages in problem-solving
• Where does GIS fit in?

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Readings
Introduction to GIS

• Chapter One Section 1.1 1.4
• Chapter Two Section 2.2, 2.3
• Chapter Three Section 3.1 3.3