• Introduction.
• Definition and basic concepts.
• Uses of Geographic Information Systems.
• Geographic information: vector data models, raster data models and other data models (CAD, TIN, etc.). Main features of each data module, advantages and disadvantages.
• Introduction to ArcGIS Desktop: ArcMap, ArCatalog, ArcToolbox, ArcScene and ArcGlobe.
• Arcmap interface, extensions and tools.

Verification of the correct functioning of the software and assessment.

• Information layers: how to add layers, features and attribute tables.
• Data tools: search and queries.
• Selection tools: selection per feature, selection by spatial location and information capture.
• Layer symbology: basic symbology, by category, by quantity and through graphics.
• Other display options: labelling and transparencies.

• Introduction to Coordinate systems and projections.
• Defining Coordinate Systems.
• Coordinate system transformation. Reprojection of ED50 or ETRS89 geographic databases.
• Image, layer and CAD files georeferencing.

• Creation and editing of spatial data
  – Creating spatial data: Editing tools bar. Digitization techniques
  – Creating layers from CAD files
  – Modifying existing layers
  – Creating layers from coordinates and GPS data
• Creation and editing of data in attribute tables
  – Structure of an Attribute Table
  – Types of data included in an Attribute Table
  – Modify information from an Attribute table
  – Calculate geometric information (surface, perimeter, length, etc.)
  – Creation of statistics from an Attribute table
  – Export tables to Excel and other formats. Reports and graphs creation

• Designing databases.
• Joining and relating databases.
• Spatial joins. Obtain statistics from database information and spatial position of elements in a layer.
• Geodatabase: Advantages. Properties.
• Loading data to the geodatabase. Subtypes and domains.

Guided exercise 1 (GIS database): Creation of digital cartography from field data.

• Extract (Clip, Split), overlay (intersect, union) and proximity (buffer analysis, Thiessen polygons) toolsets.
• Obtaining field grids.
• Multi-criteria analysis. Obtaining optimum areas according to several criteria.

Guided exercise 2 (data analysis): Creation of grid fields and combining them with field data applied to geology.

• File conversion tools. File format conversion from vector to raster, and viceversa, ASCII or html files, and exporting files to KML (Google Earth) as well as CAD.
• Create Digital Elevation Models from vector data, ASCII files and TIN files.
• Extracting information from raster files by query, mask, entity and / or joining raster files.
• Contour lines, slope calculation, hillshade maps, orientations and visibility studies.

Guided exercise 3 (digital terrain model): Generating DTMs from vector and field data. Modifying DTMs.

Guided exercise 4 (landscape): Creating a visibility study through viewsheds from high precision digital terrain models, defining specific views and project elements.

• Data interpolation. Different interpolation methodologies (IDW, kriging, natural neighbour).

Guided exercise 5 (Geochemical Maps): Generating geochemical maps depending on the spatial variability of chemical elements or compounds to detect anomalies (geological exploration), contaminated soils perimeter, etc.

• Use in hydrology: obtaining a drainage system, flow direction, outlets, and identifying drainage basins.

Guided exercise 6 (Hidrology): Obtain the drainage network, the main flow direction, accumulation areas and hydrographic basins, sub basins and micro basins.

• Reclassifying raster files. Euclidean distances, building Boolean layers, adding values to intervals or categories, and data conversion.
• Map algebra (raster calculator), math calculations between raster layers and field statistics.

Guided exercise 7 (slope stability):  Risk analysis for landslides according to several variables like slope, type of soil, presence of vegetation, etc.

• Volume calculation.
• Raster multi criteria analysis. Basic concepts and weightings. Weighted overlay. Non-compensatory analysis.

Guided exercise 8 (selection of alternatives): Multicriteria analysis to position a mine exploitation.

• Converting vector files from 2D to 3D.
• Vector and raster layers display in 3D.
• Generation of 3D figures in ArcGIS.

• Downloading digital maps (IGN) and using WMS cartographic servers.
• Regional, European and international Spanish spatial data infrastructure (IDEE).
• Arcgis Online Services.

• Sheet configuration.
• Inserting basic elements (north, scale bar, numeric scale, map legend, etc.)
• Adding UTM coordinates grid, composition with several “Data frames”, images, excel tables, etc.
• Save maps as templates. Create a document based on the template.
• Printing options.

Guided exercise 9 (map composition): Create quality mapping focusing on environmental studies according to the INSPIRE directive.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are becoming an indispensable tool in a wide range of business sectors, including engineering, environment, geography, mining, and geomarketing.

Among GIS products, ArcGIS is one of the most widely used, stable, and versatile, consisting of a set of integrated applications with solid documentation covering a wide range of functionalities. It is also supported by a large community.

ArcGIS provides contextual tools for data visualization, mapping, and spatial analysis, as well as complex capabilities for exploring, gaining, and enquiring knowledge to make the best decisions. It can also be handled via a user interface as well as the command line, if specific programming languages such as Python are used.

No, the course starts from the very beginning.

Due to changes in the ESRI licensing policy, the 60-day trial version of ArcGIS – ArcMap is no longer available. With the new ArcGIS for Personal Use option, you can gain access to the full capabilities of the ArcGIS platform. Check the next LINK.