Preface
years yet, and we anticipate keeping the seventh edition of Mastering ArcGIS in print as long as needed for those continuing to use them. Previous experience
This book assumes that the reader is comfortable using Windows"' to carry
out basic tasks such as copying files, moving directories, opening documents,
exploring folders, and editing text and word processing documents. Previous
experience with maps and map data is also helpful. No previous GIS experience
or training is necessary to use this book.
Elements of the package
This learning system includes a textbook and web site, including
Fourteen chapters on the most important capabilities of ArcGIS Comprehensive
tutorials in every chapter to learn the skills, with each step demonstrated in
a video clip A set of exercises, map documents, and data for practicing skills
independently
Reference sections on skills with video clips demonstrating each one This book assumes that the student has access to ArcGIS Desktop Basic (formerly ArcView). A few optional topics are introduced that require an ArcGIS Desktop Standard (formerly ArcEditor) license. The Spatial Analyst extension is required for Chapter I l.
Philosophy
This
text reflects the author's personal philosophies and prejudices developed from
20 years of teaching GIS at an engineering school. The main goal is not to
train geographers but to provide students in any field with GIS skills and
knowledge. It is assumed that most students using this book already have a
background of discipline-specific knowledge and skills upon which to draw and
are seeking to apply geospatial techniques within their own knowledge domains. GIS
is best learned by doing it, not by studying it. The laboratory is THE critical
component of the book, and theory is introduced sparingly and integrated with experience.
Hence, this book is heavy on experience and lighter on theory. Independent work
and projects are critical to learning GIS. This book includes a wealth of
exercises in which the student must find solutions independently without a
cookbook recipe of steps. A wise instructor will also require students to
develop an independent project.
Chapter
sequence
The
book contains an introduction and 14 chapters. Each chapter includes roughly
one week's work for a three-credit semester course. This book intentionally
contams more material than the average GIS class can cover during a single
semester; instructors may choose what to emphasize. An introductory chapter
describes GIS and gives some examples of how it is used. It also provides an
overview of GIS project management and how to develop a project. Chapters I—I I
follow a roughly project-based sequence: data compilation, data exploration and
mapping, tables and basic editing, and analysis. These chapters are the core of
an introductory GIS class and, by viii
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