Geographic Information System
A Geographic Information System (GIS) uses digital hardware and software to collect, manage, analyze, and display information about specific locations. GIS is a way for us to understand our world in a visual geospatial format. It can be used to analyze social data such as crime patterns and population demographics. GIS can be helpful in analyzing physical features such as watershed and soil characteristics for biological studies, agricultural interests, and environmental issues. It can also be used for city and regional planning and for emergency response development.

GIS-History - A GIS timeline developed by the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis.

Computers & Equipment Location Software and Applications Access
GIS workstation computer/44 inch large format color scanner (Scanner – 48 bit color, 16 bit grayscale – 600-dpi adjustable to1200/9600) Geology Library ESRI ArcGIS 10 (full suite – including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene), Esri Map Data, Google Earth Pro, Google Earth Sketch-up, Adobe Design CS5 (full suite – including Photoshop, and Illustrator,) Microsoft Office (full suite including Word, Access and Excel), Internet access Available when the Geology Library is open. http://libraries.unl.edu/hours#geology Students working on GIS projects have priority.
GIS workstation computer Geology Library Alcove ESRI ArcGIS 10 (full suite – including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene,) Esri Map Data, Adobe Design CS5 (full suite – including Photoshop, and Illustrator), Microsoft Office (full suite including Word, Access and Excel,) Internet access, MapSource (U.S. topos for GPS units) Available when the Geology Library is open. http://libraries.unl.edu/hours#geology Students working on GIS projects have priority.
GPS unit Geology Library Garmin 60Csx Available for checkout to UNL students with current ID
GIS workstation computer Geology Library Alcove ESRI ArcGIS 10 (full suite – including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcGlobe, and ArcScene), Esri Map Data, Adobe Design CS5 (full suite – including Photoshop, and Illustrator), Microsoft Office (full suite including Word, Access and Excel), Internet access Available when the Geology Library is open. http://libraries.unl.edu/hours#geology Students working on GIS projects have priority.

GIS Tutorial Workbook

Available at Geology Library circulation desk.

Version 9.3+, 10 – includes 6 month license of ArcGIS software (P.C.'s only – No Macs – needs .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, and Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 8)

Free to UNL Students with current ID (Limited number).

Recommended Software

Tutorials

Virtual Campus Training: Free Courses:
Virtual Campus Training: Fee-Based Courses:

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students, faculty and staff are eligible to take selected ESRI Virtual Campus fee-based courses for free.

To register, go to the ESRI Course Catalog and select the courses you are interested in. (Virtual campus courses are designated by a "w".)

Recommended for beginning users:

Once you have selected the course you are interested in, email Alain Boucher at license@unl.edu and list the title of the course you want to enroll in. You will receive a course access code in your email. Follow instructions under #3 from the How to register page.