GEOG 390 / GEOG 660
Introduction
This lab will serve as an introduction to GIS using two elements of the ArcGIS™ -- ArcMap and
ArcCatalog. This lab will also offer the opportunity to get your feet wet – though we will not throw
you in the deep end – problem solving with a Geographic Information System.
The lab will have two parts. The first is setting up your computer accounts and learning the basics of
the Geography Department’s computer network. The second part involves working through the
Introduction and Chapter 1 of Mastering ArcGIS
Part 1 – The Geography Computer Network
For those of you who are not familiar with the Geography Department’s computer network, we
have prepared an abbreviated introduction to the network.
To obtain an account or activate an old account it is necessary to complete a Computer Systems
Use Policy Form which will be provided by your TA. Once you have completed this form, please
turn it in so your account can be activated. Once you have done this you can follow the instructions
to gain access to the shared drive, create a Geog390 folder to hold you lab exercises and to connect
to printers. Your TA can assist you in these matters as the configuration of computer network
changes from time to time.
You will also need to set up two class shared drives. The procedure for setting up shared drives is
found in the computer instructions or your TA can assist you. You should set up two shared drives.
• The first should be a V: drive pointing to the shared folder called
This folder will contain the information for the labs as well as the Mastering ArcGIS
tutorials.
• The second should be a W: drive pointing to the shared folded named
. This shared folder contains GIS themes for the Texas, the United
States and the world and will also be necessary for the labs.
Part 2 – Mastering ArcGIS
The second part of this lab (like several we will do this semester) is composed of reading and
working your way through the book Mastering ArcGIS. This book presents the basics of the
ArcGIS™ desktop as well as introduces basic GIS concepts in the context of learning to use this
particular GIS. While ArcGIS is probably the world’s leading GIS software, it is my intent that this
class will teaches GIS problem solving skills that you can apply to other GIS software.
For this lab, you are expected to read the introduction and Chapter 1. After reading the introduction
and the
Mastering the Concepts
portion of Chapter 1, you should complete the
Mastering the
Skills
portion of Chapter 1. This is section is a teaching tutorial and will walk you through how to
portions of ArcGIS. The accompanying computer disk has been placed on the GEOG390 shared
drive in a folder called so the exercise materials and video clips are
available to you as you work.
Docsity.com
