What is GIS?

GIS Overview

UW-Milwaukee campus buildings over DEM and digital orthophoto.

There are several definitions of GIS. The United States Geological Survey's (USGS) Geographic Information Systems page defines GIS as "a computer system capable of capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information; that is, data identified according to location." This USGS web page also contains helpful information describing what GIS is and how it works, and also has examples of GIS analysis and data sources.

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Learning GIS

The web sites below contain good online GIS tutorials that teach basic GIS functionality and techniques quickly and easily. In particular, ESRI Virtual Campus is useful for ArcGIS users on campus, and there are many free courses for the UWM students, faculty and academic staff.

ESRI Training and Education
Self-paced GIS training on the web. Several free and different levels of courses are offered to the UWM students, faculty and academic staff. Please contact gisdata@uwm.edu to obtain an access code to subscribe to the courses.

ArcUser
ArcUser is both online and paper magazine which contains a variety of information on ESRI product tips, latest GIS technology, and GIS application examples. This magazine also contains GIS tutorial (workshop) pages. Visit this website to subscribe this free magazine.

Geospatial Solutions
Another good and free GIS magazine. This is an independent GIS resource magazine, not just about ESRI products. Visit this website to subscribe this free magazine.

GIS Monitor
Independent online GIS magazine. Subscribers will receive daily newsletter related to GIS industry and products.

Spatial News
Another independent online GIS magazine. Subscribers will receive daily newsletter related to GIS industry and products.

GIS Lounge
GIS Lounge is another good GIS information portal site.

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GIS Terminology

Below are useful sites containing GIS dictionaries, indexes, and lists of terms.

GIS Dictionary - ESRI
This GIS dictionary will help familiarize you with terms associated with GIS and ESRI software. Select a category of letters to find the term you want. Once on that page, select the appropriate letter or use your browser's find tool to find a word.

GIS Dictionary [AGI]
A comprehensive alphabetical listing of terms that allows you to search by term.

Remote Sensing Glossary
Glossary of terms compiled by the Columbia University Remote Sensing Image Analysis Laboratory. This site gives complete definitions of some of the most common, and some not-so-common remote sensing terms.

GIS Formats [GIS Data Depot]
Glossary of terms compiled by the Columbia University Remote Sensing Image Analysis Laboratory. This site gives complete definitions of some of the most common, and some not-so-common remote sensing terms.

Research at UWM

For More Information on Research and GIS at UWM, go to the GIS at UWM website.

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Comments or questions for the AGSL? Send them to agsl@uwm.edu or call (414) 229-6282.