Lab 1: GIS Background/Refresher

The goal of this lab is to become proficient in different parts of the ArcGIS software system so you can do the labs and complete a project for this class.  Some students who take this class have quite a bit of experience with ArcGIS software and others have none.  Each student will complete the following free ESRI Virtual Campus exercises. 

Instructions on how UNC students can get access to these free online exercises are at http://www.lib.unc.edu/reference/gis/virtual_campus.html. The ESRI Virtual Campus is at http://campus.esri.com. If you are new to ArcGIS the you should spend more time on Learning ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcGIS 10).  If you have some experience with ArcGIS but no experience with raster modeling in Spatial Analyst then you should spend more time on Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst. If you have experience with both vector and raster modeling in ArcGIS then complete one or more of the other exercises listed below (speak with the instructor about your plan).   

Lab Deliverable Summary: Since what each student will do in this lab will be different the goal is to show the instructor that you did the lab and understood what you were supposed to learn.  The courses can be quite time-consuming if you do every single quiz and overview.  I suggest first skimming through the entire course and then choosing those areas that you want to spend more time on.  If you want to save time then don't do the quizzes and go through the overview sections.  You can always come back to them.  The deliverable for this lab is 2-3 page typed summary of what you learned in the exercise and a portfolio of outputs (tables, maps, statistical output) from the different sections.  The portfolio should be well-organized and each output should be explained.  In addition to the 2-3 page summary you should also provide at least 6 GIS outputs but no more than 12.

UNC students have access to all of the following courses:

3D Analysis of Surfaces and Features Using ArcGIS 10
3D Visualization Techniques Using ArcGIS 10
Advanced Format Translations with ArcGIS Data Interoperability Spatial ETL Tools
Aprender ArcGIS Desktop (para ArcGIS 10)
Aprender ArcGIS Desktop (para ArcGIS 9.2)
Basics of Python (for ArcGIS 10)
Basics of Raster Data (for ArcGIS 10)
Basics of the Geodatabase Data Model
Cartographic Design Using ArcGIS 9
Creating 3D Data Using ArcGIS 10
Creating and Editing Geodatabase Features with ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcEditor and ArcInfo)
Creating and Editing Geodatabase Topology with ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcEditor and ArcInfo)
Creating and Editing Labels and Annotation
Creating and Integrating Data for Natural Resource Applications
Creating and Maintaining Metadata Using ArcGIS Desktop
Creating, Editing, and Managing Geodatabases for ArcGIS Desktop
Custom ArcGIS Data Interoperability Tools and Spatial ETL Best Practices
Customizing ArcPad
Data Transformation with ArcGIS Data Interoperability Spatial ETL Tools
Deriving Rasters for Terrain Analysis Using ArcGIS 10
Displaying Raster Data Using ArcGIS 10
Distance Analysis Using ArcGIS 10
Exploring Spatial Patterns in Your Data Using ArcGIS 10
Geocoding with ArcGIS Desktop
Geoprocessing with ArcGIS Desktop
Georeferencing Rasters in ArcGIS
Getting Started with Geodatabase Topology (for ArcGIS 10)
Getting Started with the Geodatabase (for ArcGIS 10)
Hazus-MH Flood Model Output and Applications (for ArcGIS 9.3.1/Hazus-MH MR5)
Implementing Security for ArcGIS Server 9.3 Java Solutions
Integrating User-Supplied Hazard Data into the Hazus-MH Flood Model (for ArcGIS 9.3.1/Haz...
Introduction to ArcGIS Data Interoperability Spatial ETL Tools
Introduction to Editing Parcels Using ArcGIS Desktop 10
Introduction to Surface Modeling Using ArcGIS 10
Introduction to the Hazus-MH Comprehensive Data Management System (for ArcGIS 9.3.1 and H...
Introduction to Using Hazus-MH for Earthquake Loss Estimation (for ArcGIS 9.3.1/Hazus-MH ...
Introduction to Using Hazus-MH for Hurricane Loss Estimation (for ArcGIS 9.3.1/Hazus-MH M...
Introduction to Using Hazus-MH to Assess Losses from a Riverine Flood Hazard (for ArcGIS ...
Learning ArcGIS 3D Analyst
Learning ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcGIS 10)
Learning ArcGIS Desktop (for ArcGIS 9.2-9.3)
Learning ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
Linear Referencing with ArcGIS Desktop
Managing Lidar Data in ArcGIS
Managing Lidar Data in ArcGIS 10
Managing Parcel Data Using ArcGIS Desktop 10
Mobile GIS: Getting Started with the ArcGIS API for iOS
Multiple Dataset Translations Using ArcGIS Data Interoperability
Organizing Raster Data Using ArcGIS 10
Performing Spatial Interpolation Using ArcGIS 10
Processing Raster Data Using ArcGIS 10
Python Scripting for Map Automation in ArcGIS 10
The 15-Minute Map: Creating a Basic Map in ArcMap
Understanding Geographic Data
Understanding GIS Queries
Understanding Map Projections and Coordinate Systems
Using ArcCatalog: Tips and Tricks
Using Lidar Data in ArcGIS
Using Lidar Data in ArcGIS 10
Using Raster Data for Site Selection (for ArcGIS 10)
Working with Geodatabase Domains and Subtypes (for ArcGIS 10)
Working with Geodatabase Subtypes and Domains
Working with Map Topology in ArcGIS
Working with Rasters in ArcGIS Desktop

I want each student to get as much out of this initial GIS Background/ Refresher as possible.  So if you have some special interest in other online courses that you would like to do for this first lab then propose what you'll do to me. The main goal of this stage is for you to learn as many GIS tools as possible so you can implement them in public health studies.  UNC students can also take ArcGIS short courses at UNC from the UNC library. See http://www.lib.unc.edu/reference/gis/training.html.