Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Falguni Mukherjee is professor of environmental and geosciences and associate dean for graduate student success in the Graduate and Professional School at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Mukherjee’s research centers on the interaction between science, society, and technology. She particularly focuses on the process of technology use for urban governance in a non-western context and the focal point of her research is urban local bodies in South Asia. She also utilizes remote sensing technology to understand earth-environment interactions in her research.

• AcknowledgmentsChapter 1: What is GIS?Learning ObjectivesWhy GIS?What is GIS?Components of a GISLocation InformationA GIS Integrates InformationProcesses Performed by a GISHistory of GISQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesBibliographyChapter 2: Projections and Coordinate SystemsLearning ObjectivesLocation InformationCartography and MapsShape of the EarthMap ProjectionsCoordinate SystemsUniversal Transverse Mercator Coordinate SystemThe Military Grid Coordinate SystemUnited States National GridState Plane Coordinate SystemOther SystemsQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 3: GIS Spatial Data ModelsLearning ObjectivesRepresenting Real World FeaturesVector Data ModelVector Data Model StructuresRaster Data ModelComparing the Two Spatial Data ModelsFile FormatsQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 4: Attribute DataLearning ObjectivesRepresenting Aspatial Data and InformationDatabase Management SystemRDBMS and GISTypes of DataFunctions in an Attribute TableQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 5: Geospatial DataLearning ObjectivesGeospatial DataFinding Geospatial DataField Methods and Geospatial Data CreationGlobal Positioning System (GPS)Remote Sensing Data CollectionGeocodingQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 6: GIS and CartographyLearning ObjectivesWhy Cartography?Cartographic Elements of a MapGIS MapsQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 7: GIS SoftwaresLearning ObjectivesGIS SoftwaresArcGISQGISGRASS GISgvSIG DesktopSoftware SelectionQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 8: GIS and SocietyLearning ObjectivesGIS and Society – Why?GIS and Organization – Principles of GIS Project ManagementGIS and SocietyQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesChapter 9: GIS – Possibilities and the FutureLearning ObjectivesThe World of GISWhat Can You Do with a GIS Degree?What Lies Ahead?Questions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferences Chapter 10: Geospatial Data AnalysisLearning ObjectivesGeospatial Analysis – What and Why?Retrieving DataSpatial Analysis Using Vector DataSpatial Analysis Using Raster DataQuestions and ActivitiesKey TermsReferencesAbout the AuthorSeries PageGlossary

In my work as a geographer, educator, and GIS professional supporting many campuses, worldwide, I have used and taught with many GIS textbooks over the years and am always looking for something new and innovative. I found Dr Falguni Mukherjee’s new Introduction to Geographic Information Systems book to be refreshing and approachable, and I trust it will be very useful for many instructors and students. I especially found Dr Mukherjee’s questions and activities at the end of each chapter to be thought-provoking and a welcome addition over other books; and the book’s extensive reference lists illustrate Dr Mukherjee’s dedication and research in the subject. The book covers the theory and application of GIS with just the right tone—understandable, yet rigorous, and I recommend it for those teaching and studying GIS and GIScience.