This past week was spent working on my final project for GIS4043: Geographic Information Systems, the first college course in my journey to getting certified in Geographic Information Systems/Science at the University of West Florida. Not only that, but this was my first college course ever and the first time I've had any formal education beyond job training since 2011. What an exciting 8 weeks this has been for me!
We started by learning what GIS is and how complicated it can be to define to someone else. We jumped into ArcGIS Pro, a beautifully complex piece of GIS software, and learned the very basics of cartography, what the baseline requirements for map-making are, and the dos and don’ts. Next, we experienced collecting data using ArcGIS Field Maps and learned all about map projecting. We covered vector analysis techniques, how to add XY coordinates to data, and all about geocoding. We learned how to georeference images, taking them from a basic aerial view and turning them into spatially accurate representations, and even how to digitize buildings and roads.
This is just a brief description of all we learned over the last 8 weeks. It was an awesome experience, and I am ecstatic to continue this journey. Next stop: Computer Cartography!
For our final project, we were tasked with taking all the tools, techniques, and skills we learned and using them to create a comprehensive analysis of a proposed electric transmission line, the Bobwhite-Manatee Project.
In our analysis, we were in charge of identifying and quantifying conservation lands and wetlands within our study area as well as within the preferred transmission line corridor. We had to define and quantify homes, county parcels, and schools in proximity, and finally measure the total length of the transmission line and estimate the cost of construction.
I spent a crazy amount of time working on this project—so much that my spouse is a bit peeved at me—but it will be worth it in the end.
It was a real pleasure to experience every single bit of this course, and I'm thankful to have had the opportunity. Here's to a beautiful future in Geographic Information Science!
Check out my ArcGIS StoryMap presentation below, as well as a transcript walking you through the analytics and processes of analysis.
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