Published: January 2017
Page Count: 194
ISBN (Digital): 978-1-4533-8265-3

Essentials of Geographic Information Systems

Custom Version 2.0.1
By Michael Shin, Jonathan Campbell, and Sierra Burkhart
Deanna Tomerini

Included Supplements

Manual

Slides

Tests

Key Features

Focus on the foundations and fundamentals of GIS.
Concise and direct approach.
Customizable.

Students

Online Access Price: $36.95

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Essentials of Geographic Information Systems integrates key concepts behind the technology with practical concerns and real-world applications. Recognizing that many potential geographic information system users are non-specialists or may only need a few maps, this book is designed to be accessible, pragmatic, and concise. This textbook illustrates how geographic information systems are used to ask questions, inform choices, and guide policy. From the melting of the polar ice caps to privacy issues associated with mapping, this book provides a gentle, yet substantive, introduction to the use and application of digital maps, and mapping.

1.1 Stuff Happens…

1.2 Spatial Thinking

1.3 Geographic Concepts

1.4 Geographic Information Systems for Today and Beyond

Chapter 2: Data, Information, and Where to Find Them

2.1 Data and Information

2.2 Data about Data

2.3 Finding Data

2.4 Descriptions and Summaries

2.5 Data Classification

Chapter 3: Map Anatomy

3.1 Maps and Map Types

3.2 Map Scale, Coordinate Systems, and Map Projections

3.3 Map Abstraction

Chapter 4: Cartographic Principles

4.1 Color

4.2 Symbology

4.3 Cartographic Design

Chapter 5: Geospatial Data Management

5.1 Geographic Data Acquisition

5.2 Geospatial Database Management

5.3 File Formats

5.4 Data Quality

5.5 Searches and Queries

Chapter 6: Data Models for GIS

6.1 Raster Data Models

6.2 Vector Data Models

6.3 Satellite Imagery and Aerial Photography

Chapter 7: Geospatial Analysis I: Vector Operations

7.1 Single Layer Analysis

7.2 Multiple Layer Analysis

Chapter 8: Geospatial Analysis II: Raster Data

8.1 Basic Geoprocessing with Rasters

8.2 Scale of Analysis

8.3 Surface Analysis: Spatial Interpolation

8.4 Surface Analysis: Terrain Mapping

Chapter 9: Web Mapping

9.1 Origins and Advancements

9.2 Tile Mapping and WMS

9.3 Interactive Vector Graphics

Chapter 10: GIS Project Management

10.1 Project Management Basics

10.2 GIS Project Management Tools and Techniques

Instructor’s Manual

The Instructor’s Manual guides you through the main concepts of each chapter and important elements such as learning objectives, key terms, and key takeaways. Can include answers to chapter exercises, group activity suggestions, and discussion questions.

PowerPoint Lecture Notes

A PowerPoint presentation highlighting key learning objectives and the main concepts for each chapter are available for you to use in your classroom. You can either cut and paste sections or use the presentation as a whole.

Test Bank Files for Import to Learning Management Systems

For your convenience, we've packaged our test items for easy import into Learning Management Systems like Blackboard, Brightspace/D2L, Canvas, Moodle, or Respondus.

Test Item File

Need assistance in supplementing your quizzes and tests? Our test-item files (in Word format) contain many multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions.

At FlatWorld, we take pride in providing a range of high-quality supplements alongside our titles, to help instructors teach effectively. Supplements are available for instructors who have registered their adoption with us. If you need to review or preview something specific, please contact us.

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Michael Shin

University of California - Los Angeles

Michael Shin is Professor of Geography and faculty director of the Geospatial@UCLA initiative at UCLA. He has over fifteen years of experience in developing and leading courses—both in-person and online—in geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies. Michael’s teaching materials draw from his research interests in political geography, spatial analysis, and the social impacts of geospatial technology. He has also applied his expertise in geospatial analytics to various projects with McKinsey & Company, as well as with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Michael earned his MS and Ph.D. in geography, and his BA in International Affairs, from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Jonathan Campbell

University of California - Los Angeles

Dr. Jonathan E. Campbell is a GIS analyst and biologist based in Carlsbad, CA. Formerly an adjunct professor of GIS, cartography, and physical geography courses at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Santa Monica College, Jonathan has extensive experience collecting, mapping, and analyzing geospatial data on projects throughout the United States. He has over twenty years of experience in the application of GIS and biogeographic services in conjunction with the implementation of environmental policies and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Jonathan holds a Ph.D. in geography from UCLA, an MS in plant biology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a B.S. in environmental biology from Taylor University.

Sierra Burkhart

University of California - Los Angeles

Sierra Burkhart is the academic director of UCLA Geospatial in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Sierra specializes in Web-based mapping technology, spatial analysis, and geographic data visualization methods, and she teaches related courses in GIS and cartography. Her research also includes the study and development of pedagogy and instructional design methods for online teaching of GIS courses. She is an active software developer and a member of the open source GIS community. Sierra earned her PhD and MA degrees in geography from UCLA, and she also holds a BS in geography from Arizona State University.