How can I learn GIS on my own?
How do I make maps?
What do I need to do to be able to teach an introductory GIS class?
Can I take a graduate GIS minor?
What GIS and related courses can I take?

How can I learn GIS on my own?

We have designed a series of self-directed lab exercises that you can complete at your own pace. Just copy the exercise you want to work onto a computer with the necessary software. ArcMap, Idrisi and Geomedia are available in Blegen 440 and 455. ArcMap and Idrisi are available in the graduate student lab in Blegen 410. Ensure that you copy the files to a folder for have both read and right privileges (e.g., the "Workspace" directory in the Blegen 440 and 455 labs).

Self-directed exercises:

• Exercise A: Introductory ArcMap (Requires ArcMap)
• Exercise B: Introductory Idrisi (Requires Idrisi)
• Exercise C: Introductory Geomedia (Requires Geomedia)
• Exercise D: Data Import (Requires ArcMap, Exercise A is a prerequisite)
• Exercise E: Thematic Mapping (Requires ArcMap, Exercise A is a prerequisite)

How do I make maps?

So, you want to make a maps for your dissertation or article. What to do? You have several options:

• To really know what you are doing, take GEOG 5561: Principles of GIS
• If you want to take a shorter class, consider GIS 5573: Desktop Mapping
• For a really short cut, do the self-directed exercises A and E above
• The MPC has two-day short courses in using GIS and census data
• The annual MN GIS/LIS conference has many half-day and one-day short courses
• Drop by the John R. Borchert Map Library, the staff there may be able to help you with specific issues

What do I need to do to be able to teach an introductory GIS class?

We are increasingly getting questions about what constitutes the minimum set of courses and/or experience that a UMN PhD grad needs to teach an "intro GIS course." This is a hard question in that what constitutes an intro GIS course is pretty fuzzy. They tend to range from a two credit course where the instructor runs through a standard text such as "Using ArcView" with canned exercises to a four credit course along the lines of our Principles of GIS course that has a fair amount of depth and custom designed labs that run from basics to analysis. This leaves aside administrative issues such as maintaining site licenses and labs (often expected of GIS faculty in smaller departments) or expectations of teaching in other GIS areas such as remote sensing, cartography, or modeling.

So, we cannot easily establish a minimum set of courses that guarantees that one can 'teach GIS', but we can offer suggested paths to a GIS Minor. A minor (9 credits) with one additional GIS course (12 credits in total) would likely give you the bare minimum to teach an occasional introductory GIS class but it would not be easy. You would have to spend a good deal of time getting up to speed. Long-term success would require continued engagement with the field and further GIS-related research and training.

Can I take a graduate GIS minor?

You sure can! Speak to the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the MGIS program for suggestions on the GIS minor. Students majoring in any field can do a minor in GIS that is developed in consultation with a faculty adviser and the MGIS DGS. The minor requires at least 9 credits (3 courses). Common routes to the minor are considered below under "What GIS and related courses can I take?".

Which GIS and related courses can I take?

The choice of courses to take depends on what you want out of them. UMN has a large number of GIS courses at the graduate level. In addition to UMN course guides, two good sources of information one these courses are the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and the MGIS program websites.