Section Two - What is GIS?

GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences stands for both Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts and Geographic Information Sciences, two distinct but intertwined terms. Falling under the broader umbrella of Geospatial Sciences, GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences encompasses other fields such as remote sensing, GPS and GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System a general term for the technology of using satellites and a signal receiver to pin- point A GIS vector data in any sort of digital science or art, is simply denoting a type of graphical representation using straight lines to construct the outlines of objects geometry type which is made up of just one vertex pl. vertices One of a set of ordered x,y coordinate pairs that defines the shape of a line or polygon feature. , marking a single XY location in any given geographic or projected coordinate system. a location anywhere on the surface of the Earth technologies, cartography, geodatabase electronic storage container specifically used to store geographic/ spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. with a top-down structure in which the items contained are related to each other and that relationship allows for the data to be quickly and efficiently queried and retrieved for use. management and design, and web map development. Understanding the meaning of GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences , as both a system and a science, is essential to your educational journey, and it'll help you explain your coursework to others too!

Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts refers to the software used to create, store, manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display data in cartographic layouts. While ESRI’s ArcGIS suite is popular in educational and government settings, it's not the only choice. But when we talk about GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences , we're discussing more than just the software itself; we're addressing the science and the technician's ability to make the software do what they want. The real essence of GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences isn't about the software but the science behind it.

Geographic Information Sciences, or GIScience, is the branch of the much larger geospatial sciences A discipline that focuses on using information technology to understand people, places, and processes of the earth. Spatial analysis of human and physically variables is fundamental to the discipline. concerned with the underlying structure of how to collect and analyze data.  Geospatial science is really any science which collects and analyzes data that has a property of where associated with it - something we call a spatial aspect Associating the idea or property of where with data to be analyzed.  .  Data happens everywhere during every second of the day.  Every place is more than a place - it has data associated with it and that data has meaning.  Think about the place you live for a moment.  What is the first thing that pops into your mind? Maybe the color of the carpet or the peeling paint on the garage door or the people who live with you or about how your cat has his own bedroom. I'm going to bet that the first thing you thought of was not the address or in what neighborhood you live.  Those things are not what make the place you live "yours", those are just the identifying factors about where the house is located.  The real essence of your spot is not where it is positioned on the street, but the non-spatial that makes it not just a house, but a home (cheesiness intended).

Geospatial science, as we said above is the umbrella term for any science which collects data for analysis utilizing a spatial aspect Associating the idea or property of where with data to be analyzed.  .  It includes cartography (the art of creating maps with data), remote sensing (the science of collecting data without coming in contact with the landscape), GPS (the science and skill of collecting data utilizing place located by satellite), web map applications (creating maps with the intention of distribution and interaction with a much wider community than a static printed out map will reach), database electronic storage container with a top-down structure in which the items contained are related to each other and that relationship allows for the data to be quickly and efficiently queried and retrieved for use. design and management (the science of organizing data for rapid retrieval), land survey (collecting very accurate data utilizing hand on equipment), photogrammetry (creating accurate maps and measurements from remotely sensed images), and the class your in right now - GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences .  In this class you will learn about how we collect and analyze data using a specific software suite, but that is just the beginning.  Almost anyone can learn to use the GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences software but only a geospatial scientist understands what is happening behind the software and can make decisions about the data in an educated manner.  You will, indeed, learn how to manipulate data in the GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences , but beyond that, you will learn how to analyze the data and really understand what is happening in the software.  Obviously, we are only going to have time to look at just a few functions of the software (as it is a huge and powerful suite), but what you learn about how the tools and data work will allow you to explore more tools and more tools and more tools ....  ArcGIS is just one of many GIS Geographic Information Systems the software used to create, store, and manage spatial data Data that deals with location, such as lists of addresses, the footprint of a building, the boundaries of cities and counties, etc. , analyze spatial problems, and display the data in cartographic layouts   Geographic Information Sciences software suites, as we saw above, but when you finish this semester, you will be able to not only use ArcGIS, but because you've taken the time to really learn GIScience, you can move into any other software suite with confidence in your knowledge and skill set.