3. Fields of Study
• Field Work
• Energy
• Geography
• Geology
• History
• Political Science
• Economics
• Demographics
• Institutional Research
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4. What is GIS
• Geographical (Geospatial) Information Systems
• It is a graphical data base that represents geographic
features
• Any item that has geography associated with it can be
displayed
– Zip codes
– Addresses
– Counties
– States
– Census information
– Townships
– College districts
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5. Data
• Multiple source of maps and data is available
in general at no cost
• US Census Bureau, State GIS organizations and
ESRI
• Querying of data is an important
consideration i.e. where do people live who
have a median income of $35,000 and a
associate degree
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6. Map Types
• Static Maps
– Image
– pdf
• Dynamic Maps
– Web based
– Software based
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7. Field Work
• Any location on the surface of the earth can be
geographically positioned
• GPS – Receiving device that can be loaded
directly onto a map – ArcMap or Goggle Earth
• Examples
– Water sampling of a stream
– Locating the position of a covered bridge or old mill
• Adding a photograph to the data is an important
conderation
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8. Field Work:
Position of Water Mills in the Eastern
U.S.
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10. Geography
• Any feature of
the earth can
be located
• Aerial Images of
earth surface
• Three
dimensional
images
• Land Use
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