GEOG 60 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Professor: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue
Department of Global Studies and Geography
Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549 USA
Jean-paul.Rodrigue@hofstra.edu
Phone: (516) 463-5765. Fax: (516) 463-6519.

Outline

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used to encode, store, analyze, and report spatial data. They link different information technologies such as mapping and database management systems. They also provide a repository for spatial data, which can be constructed, maintained, edited and analyzed. The ability to use spatial information facilitates management and decisions in a wide array of fields and GIS are increasingly being used for practical purposes. They include marketing, resource management, facility location, environmental impact assessment, urban planning, transportation, and tracking crime data, just to name a few.

This multimedia course introduces GIS foundations, concepts, and application techniques. Specific objectives include:

• Providing basic GIS concepts.
• Acquiring basic GIS application skills.
• Understanding the fundamentals of GIS tasks such as digitizing, thematic mapping, database management and spatial analysis.
• Familiarization with the ArcMap GIS software.

Laboratories

• Introduction to ArcMap (v10)
• GIS Project Creation and Management (ArcMap 10)
• Symbolization (ArcMap 10)
• Map Projections (ArcMap 10)
• Basic Geocoding (ArcMap 10)
• Construction of a Spatial Information Database (ArcMap 10)
• Spatial Information Database Organization (ArcMap 9)
• Attribute and Spatial Query (ArcMap 9)
• Multicriteria Analysis (ArcMap 9)

PowerPoint Slides

Note: These slides have not been recently updated since the course is now laboratory-oriented, meaning that the students learn basic GIS concepts and skills by undertaking task-based laboratories.

• Topic 1 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Topic 2 - Spatial Representation
• Topic 3 - Geographical Data Structures
• Topic 4 - Geographical Data Analysis
• Topic 5 - Spatial Queries and Measurement
• Topic 6 - Cartographic Output

Dr. Rodrigue's research interests mainly cover the fields of economic and transport geography as they relate to freight distribution. Area interests involve East and Southeast Asia (particularly China) and North America, notably concerning transportation, distribution and trade issues. Specific topics cover transport systems and logistics, global supply chains and production networks, gateways and transport corridors, urban regions, economic integration, international trade and regional development. Current projects involve:

• The Governance of Intermodal Transportation Assets
• The Transport Geography of Logistics
• Gateways, Corridors and Inland Freight Distribution
• Globalization and Transport Terminals