Maps and Geospatial Information Center

Spring 2024 Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Workshops

The classes will be held in the Lewis Science Library E-classroom 225 from 1:30 to 3:00 PM EDT and EST.

 

Introduction to QGIS, February 5: 

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/introqgis2

A Geographic Information System (GIS) combines software and digital geographic data to generate maps, tables and interactive analyses of spatial information.  QGIS is an open-source GIS desktop software package. It runs on Linux/Unix, MacOS and Windows operating systems and is available at no cost. Intended for anyone new to GIS technology, session attendees use QGIS on Windows computers in the classroom.  We will load geospatial data, add on-line map services, extract selected data, and make simple maps. The training may also be valuable to anyone using R, ArcGIS Pro or other desktop GIS software.

Introduction to ArcGIS Pro, February 6

 https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/introarcgispro2

Princeton faculty, students and staff use GIS technology to manage resources, explore spatial relationships, and visualize change. The session, intended for those with no previous GIS experience, describes GIS technology and includes simple exercises to introduce its capabilities.  We will use ArcGIS Pro installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.  The training may also be valuable to anyone using R, QGIS or other desktop GIS software.

How to Create and Collect Geographic Data using QGIS, February 8

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/createcollectqgis2

In this class attendees will learn how to collect geographic data from Google Maps, how to add GPS data to GIS software, and how to georeference a scanned map.  Students will use Google Maps and QGIS installed on classroom computers. 

Select and Analyze Geographic Features and Data with QGIS, February 12

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/selectanalyzeqgis

QGIS has an excellent interface for exploring and analyzing spatial information. Point, line and area features (vector data) are both geographic objects on a map and records in a table. Such features can be selected by location or by the values stored in each feature’s record. These simple capabilities allow the GIS user to conduct complex analyses.  We will use data for central New Jersey to calculate the area of land use types near streams, the extent of paved surfaces and other measures.  Attendees will use QGIS on classroom Windows computers.

How to Create and Collect Geographic Data using ArcGIS Pro, February 13:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/createcollectPro

In this class students will learn how to collect geographic data from Google Maps, how to add GPS data to GIS software, and how to georeference a scanned map. The exercise will also show how to extract points, lines and areas from the georeferenced map. Students will use Google Maps and ArcGIS Pro installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.

Select and Analyze Geographic Features and Data with ArcGIS Pro, February 15

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/selectanalyzePro

ArcGIS Pro has a powerful set of software tools to visually explore and analyze spatial information. Point, line and area features (vector data) are both geographic objects on a map and records in a table. Features can be selected by location or by the values stored in each feature’s record. These simple capabilities can support complex analyses.  We will use data for central New Jersey to calculate the area of land use types near streams, the extent of paved surfaces and other measures. Attendees will use ArcGIS Pro installed on classroom Windows computers.

Finding the Best Location using QGIS, February 19

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/bestlocationsqgis

GIS software allows the user to treat the Earth’s surface as a continuous array of numbers.  Images and raster datasets can be used to rank suitable locations, estimate change and display phenomena such as elevation, precipitation or temperature. The session uses percent impervious surface, distance from streams, and slope to assign each parameter a scale from 1 to 9, and weight the relative suitability of different areas.  This ‘weighted overlay’ method is useful in a variety of contexts.  The QGIS Python console and editor will be used to help build a Python script to process data.  Attendees will use QGIS installed on classroom computers.

Finding the Best Location using ArcGIS Pro, February 20

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/bestlocationPro

GIS software allows the user to treat the Earth’s surface as a continuous array of numbers.  Images and raster datasets can be used to rank suitable locations, estimate change and display phenomena such as elevation, precipitation or temperature. The session uses percent impervious surface, distance from streams, and slope to assign each parameter a scale from 1 to 9, and weight the relative suitability of different areas.  ArcGIS Pro’s built-in Jupyter notebook will be used to process the data for analysis.  This ‘weighted overlay’ method is useful in a variety of contexts. Students will use ArcGIS Pro installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.

Using Tables and Maps together in QGIS, February 22:   

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/tablesqgis

US Census data can be integrated with GIS boundary files to analyze the spatial relationships of poverty, ethnicity, environmental risk, and other parameters. We will find and download demographic data, combine the data with GIS files, and view the data in QGIS. The QGIS Python console and editor will be used to build a Python script to process data.  The session will help any GIS user to include tabular data in spatial analyses.  Attendees will use QGIS on the classroom Windows computers. 

Using Tables and Maps together in ArcGIS Pro, February 26:

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/tablesPro

ArcGIS Pro has many different ways to access data sets, display them in a map, and analyze relationships over time and space. US Census data can be integrated with GIS boundary files to analyze the spatial relationships of poverty, ethnicity, environmental risk, and other parameters. We will find and download demographic data, combine the data with GIS files, and view the data in Pro. ArcGIS Pro has various ways to run these steps:  we will introduce Jupyter notebooks, GUI interfaces and nested commands.  The session will help any GIS user to include tabular data in spatial analyses. Attendees will use ArcGIS Pro installed on classroom Windows computers.

Making Maps and Presentations using QGIS, February 27

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/mapsqgis

Maps can be extremely effective in communicating knowledge about an area. QGIS has many tools and techniques to design maps. Hands-on exercises will show how to use map-making tools within the software, and introduce common cartographic techniques. The session will discuss how to design maps for a variety of presentation formats.  Attendees will use QGIS on classroom Windows computers. 

Making Maps and Presentations using ArcGIS Pro, February 29:   

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/mapsPro

Maps can be extremely effective in communicating knowledge about an area. ArcGIS Pro has a variety of tools and techniques to design maps. Hands-on exercises will show how to use map-making tools within the software, and introduce common cartographic techniques. The session will discuss how to design maps for a variety of presentation formats. Attendees will use ArcGIS Pro installed on classroom Windows computers.

Essential QGIS Tools for Research, March 4:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/researchtoolsqgis

In this class students will learn how to use GIS tools to calculate distances between two features, road and river lengths within administrative units, the percentage of shared boundaries between two areas, extract information on polygon neighbors between two areas, and will explore many other analysis tools.  Attendees will use QGIS on classroom Windows computers. 

Essential ArcGIS Pro Tools for Research, March 5:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/researchtoolsPro

In this class students will learn how to use GIS tools to calculate distances between two features, road and river lengths within administrative units, the percentage of shared boundaries between two areas, extract information on polygon neighbors between two areas, and will explore many other analysis tools. Attendees will use ArcGIS Pro installed on classroom Windows computers.

Using Tools to Create Models in QGIS, March 7:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/createmodelsqgis

GIS users often want to run a process multiple times, changing the inputs, parameters or summaries generated. QGIS has many ways to help users automate processes. In the exercises, users will use graphic tools in the Processing window, run models iteratively, and extract commands for use in Python scripts.  Attendees will use QGIS on classroom Windows computers.  

Using ModelBuilder in ArcGIS Pro, March 18:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/modelbuilderPro

GIS users often want to run a process multiple times, changing the inputs, parameters or summaries generated. ArcGIS Pro has many ways to help users automate processes. In the exercises, users will use graphic tools in ModelBuilder, run models iteratively, and extract arcpy commands for use in Python scripts. Students will use ArcGIS Pro installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.

How QGIS and R work together, March 19:  

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/Randqgis

QGIS can link to different software packages to run that package’s algorithms within QGIS.  This workshop teaches how to link R statistical software to QGIS and run R scripts within QGIS itself.  R plots can be viewed within QGIS, data can be transferred into other formats for processing in R, and results from R scripts can be returned to QGIS to be explored as GIS data. Students will use QGIS and R installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.  R and QGIS also integrate well on Mac and Linux operating systems.

Using R with ArcGIS Pro, March 21:

https://libcal.princeton.edu/calendar/events/RandPro

Esri has developed the R-ArcGIS Bridge to support data transfer and analysis between ArcGIS Pro and R.  Based on a Rice University workshop, this session uses ArcGIS Pro and R-Studio to analyze gun-related arrests in Philadelphia in 2021.  Users will learn how to connect R to ArcGIS Pro, and how to install the arcgisbinding package.  Data in ArcGIS Pro will be ported into R-Studio, where a statistical analysis will be performed.  The results will be ported back into ArcGIS Pro for further analysis.  Students will use ArcGIS Pro, R-Studio and R installed on the classroom’s Windows computers.