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GIS Centre How-To Videos

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The GIS Centre has created how-to videos for accessing sentinel data using ArcGIS Pro and showing realistic trees using ArcGIS Pro.

Accessing Sentinel Data Using ArcGIS Pro – Sentinel data is satellite data available through the European Space Agency. This video reviews the Sentinel satellite missions and how to bring Sentinel 2 data into ArcGIS Pro for visualization and analysis. The demo is using ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.2.

Showing Realistic Trees in ArcGIS Pro – This video walks through the process of bringing in publicly available data, preparing data for visualization, and using Rule Packages to create a Realistic 3D view of trees in ArcGIS Pro (Scene). The demo is done with ArcGIS Pro version 3.2.2 and utilizes the Spatial Analyst extension.

Check out the videos below or on our Youtube channel.

GISciences Centre’s Lunchless Learn Series: Fall 2023

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What is a Lunchless Learn? It’s a hands-on tutorial, held around lunchtime, open to all on campus – without the food!

A GIS, or Geographic Information System, is a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data relating to positions on earth’s surface. In other words, it’s an easy and fun way to look at the world differently.

This series will give you a taste of what GIS is and how it can be used. These sessions are meant to be self-contained. After the intro session, take only the topics that are important or of interest to you.

This year, the Lunchless Learns are being taught using two different software packages – ArcGIS Pro and QGIS. ArcGIS Pro is currently the leading commercial GIS Software that is available only using the Windows platform. QGIS is an open-source software that is available across many platforms (the demo is shown on a Windows platform).  The content of both sessions is the same, only the software is different.

In order to run the ArcGIS Pro sessions, you will need to use either a Dalhousie Windows machine (in the library or lab), have the software downloaded on your own machine, or run it on VLab (ArcGIS). If you are not familiar with VLab, please read about it prior to the start of the session.

To run the sessions in QGIS, you must have QGIS loaded on the machine you’ll be working on – download the QGIS software.

Please register for each session you are interested in. In advance of the session, you will receive an email containing data that you will need to use during the session.

GISciences Centre’s Lunchless Learn Series Fall 2018

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GIS lunchless learnsWhat is a “Lunchless Learn”? It’s a hands-on tutorial, held around lunchtime, open to all on campus — without the food.

A GIS, or Geographic Information System, is “a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data relating to positions on earth’s surface.” In other words, it’s a way at looking at the world differently.

This is a series to help give people a taste of what GIS is and how it can be used. To try and accommodate more people we are offering the same session at different times and locations. These sessions are meant to be self contained. After the intro session, take only the topics that are important or of interest you.

Due to the high level of interest in this series, we ask you to sign up for session(s). To sign up, contact gis@dal.ca

Intro – First Encounters of the GIS Kind
Mon., Sept. 24/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902
Fri., Sept. 28/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902                       
Tues., Oct. 2/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902

Data: so you want to make a map – where and how to find data
Mon., Oct. 1/11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902
Tues., Oct. 9/11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902

Raster: how to become a raster master
Mon., Oct. 15/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902
Tues., Oct. 16/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902

Carto: maps — the good, the bad, and the ugly
Mon., Oct. 22/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902
Tues., Oct. 30/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room G70

ArcGIS Online – GIS that’s in the cloud(s)
Mon., Oct. 29/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902
Tues., Nov. 6/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Killam Library – Room 2902 

Esri Canada App Challenge & GIS Scholarship

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esri canada1. ESRI CANADA APP CHALLENGE

The ECCE App Challenge is a coding competition that promotes innovation and creativity within Dalhousie’s GIS Centre, a member of ESRI Canada’s Centres of Excellence. Each year, teams of students at ECCE schools across Canada are tasked to create new and unique apps powered by Esri technology and open data to help address a problem related to a specific theme.

The App Challenge at Dalhousie University will take place between March 18 (noon) and March 25 (noon). Teams will be given one week to complete their apps, and to submit the source code accompanied by supporting documentation, team profiles, and a video sales pitch for their app. These will be assembled and hosted in a GitHub repository used by the ECCE to showcase the apps created by each team.

Challenge rules:

– Maximum three students per team (undergrad or graduate)
– Your app must use open data
– You app should focus on the theme of smart cities
– You may use any platform for development (e.g. Web, iOS, Android)
– Your app must include at least one Esri component (e.g., ArcGIS API for Javascript, ArcGIS SDK for iOS), although other additional technologies are encouraged
– Your team must produce a sales pitch video explaining what your app does, and why it is valuable
– Any source code that you produce for your app must be shared under the GPL 3.0 open source license
– Your team must submit a completed app to the ECCE program at the end of the week

How to register:

Get your team together and then contact either James Boxall (james.boxall@dal.ca) or Gwen MacNairn (g.macnairn@Dal.Ca) with the GIS Centre at Dalhousie University. Send the names and email addresses of your team members, and choose/submit a team name.

What can be won?

A cash prize of $1500 (yes, that’s $500/team member) will be awarded to the top ranked Dalhousie team. Dalhousie judges will forward submissions from four of the top Dalhousie teams to ESRI Canada for the national competition. Winners of the national competition will be awarded an all expenses paid trip for all team members to the Esri User Conference in San Diego, California (July 9-13, 2018).

Schedule: runs for one week, from 12 noon on Sunday, March 18 to 12 noon on Sunday, March 25, 2018.

Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/2tko5cZ

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2. ESRI CANADA GIS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

This scholarship is for a high achieving Dalhousie student who has integrated GIS technology into their studies at Dal. The scholarship package will help support a currently enrolled student to continue their studies in GIS and consider GIS as a future career option. 

Scholarship package includes:

1) A one-time payment of $500

2) A perpetual license of Esri’s ArcGIS software, for education and research use:

• ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced
• ArcGIS for Desktop Extensions, including: ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst, ArcGIS Network Analyst, and ArcGIS Publisher
• ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced
• One-year ArcGIS Online Organization Plan (includes 100 service credits and 1 named user)
• One year of complimentary maintenance (which provides software updates, technical support and unlimited access to e-learning courses through the Esri Training site)

3) A one-year Professional-level subscription to the ArcGIS Developer Program (ADP), which includes ArcGIS Enterprise for development purposes as well as CityEngine

4) Select Esri Press Publications including:

• Python Scripting for ArcGIS
• Getting to Know Web GIS, 2nd Edition
• The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3

5) Two Esri Canada instructor-led training courses

6) Registration to one of Esri Canada’s User Conferences in 2018

7) A personal and editable profile in the Esri Canada GIS Scholarship Web Portal

Application Package must include:

– A cover letter (highlighting GIS & RS activities)
– A current CV/Resume
– An academic transcript (can be unofficial)
– GIS Poster* (attach as a PDF)
– GIS Summary Report** (attach as a PDF)

Suggested guidelines for the Poster* and Report** are listed below.
Email your application package to the Dal GIS Centre: james.boxall@dal.ca
Specify subject as: GIS Scholarship
Deadline to apply: Sunday, March 25, 2018 (on or before 11:59 p.m.)

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3. 2018 INTERNATIONAL ESRI YOUNG SCHOLARS AWARD

This is a national competition which will be awarded to one Canadian student. If you follow the international guidelines, the same poster and summary report can be submitted to both the Dal GIS Centre (by March 25) and to the Esri Canada Young Scholars Award (by March 29, 2018).

Submission package must include:

– Contact information
– Institution name and program of study
– Personal statement describing your experience with GIS
– Academic transcript (can be unofficial)
– GIS Poster* (attach as a PDF)
– GIS Summary Report** (attach as a PDF)

International guidelines:

*GIS Poster

• Must use ArcGIS software
• Must be created only by the applicant
• Graphics be of sufficient quality for printing (300 dpi)
• Portrait orientation (24 inches wide by 36 inches high)
• File size should not exceed 10 MB

**GIS Summary Report (explains your project or research):

800–1,000 words maximum

• Can include maps and other illustrations

Submit via: https://scholars.esri.ca/eys-application/

Deadline to apply: Thursday, March 29, 2018 (before 5:00 p.m.)

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GISciences Centre’s Lunchless Learn Series Fall 2017

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What is a ‘Lunchless Learn’? It’s a hands-on tutorial, held around lunchtime, open to all on campus — without the food.GIS lunchless learns

A GIS, or Geographic Information System, is “a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data relating to positions on earth’s surface.” In other words, it’s an easy and fun way to look at the world differently.

This is a series to give people a taste of what GIS is and how it can be used. To accommodate more people we are offering the same session at different times and locations. These sessions are meant to be self contained. After the Intro session – take only the topics that are of interest to you.

Due to the high level of interest, we ask you to sign up for session(s). Due to construction on the Sexton Campus, all sessions will be held in Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus. To sign up, send an email to gis@dal.ca

Intro – First Encounters of the GIS Kind
Thur., Sept. 21/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 25/1–2:30 p.m.                        
Tues., Oct. 3/1–2:30 p.m.

Data: so you want to make a map – where and how to find data
Mon., Oct. 2/12:30–2:30 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 10/1–3 p.m.

Raster: how to become a raster master
Mon., Oct. 16/1–2:30 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 17/1–2:30 p.m.

Carto: maps — the good, the bad, and the ugly
Mon., Oct. 23/1–2:30 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 24/1–2:30 p.m.

ArcGIS Online – GIS that’s in the cloud(s)
Mon., Oct. 30/1–2:30 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 31/1–2:30 p.m.

Esri Canada GIS Scholarship and GIS Award

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Three award opportunities from Esri: GIS Scholarship, GIS Award, and the International Young Scholars Award. Read on to learn how to apply:

  1. ESRI CANADA GIS SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

This scholarship is for a high-achieving Dal student that is using GIS technology for research purposes. The scholarship package will help support a currently enrolled student to continue his or her studies in GIS and consider it as a post-graduation career option. 

Scholarship package includes:
1) A one-time payment of $1,000
2) A perpetual license of Esri’s ArcGIS software, for education and research use:
• ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced
• ArcGIS for Desktop Extensions, including: ArcGIS Spatial Analyst, ArcGIS 3D Analyst, ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst, ArcGIS Network Analyst, and ArcGIS Publisher
    • One-year ArcGIS Online Organization Plan (includes 100 service credits and 1 named user)
• One year of complimentary maintenance (which provides software updates, technical support and unlimited access to e-learning courses through the Esri Training site)
3) A one-year subscription to the Esri Developer Network (EDN), which includes ArcGIS for Server Enterprise for development purposes
4) Select Esri Press Publications including:
• Python Scripting for ArcGIS
    • Getting to Know Web GIS, 2nd Edition
    • The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3
5) Two Esri Canada instructor-led training courses
6) Registration for one of Esri Canada’s User Conferences in 2017
7) A personal and editable profile

Application Package must include:
 A cover letter (highlighting GIS & RS activities)
A current CV/Resume
 An academic transcript (can be unofficial)
GIS Poster* (attach as a PDF)
 GIS Summary Report** (attach as a PDF)

Email your submission package to the Dal GIS Centre: james.boxall@dal.ca
Specify subject as: GIS Scholarship
Deadline to apply: Friday, March 17, 2017 (on or before 11:59 p.m.)

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2. ESRI CANADA GIS AWARD GUIDELINES

This award is for a student learning GIS and beginning to incorporate the technology into their studies at Dal.  The award will encourage a currently enrolled student to consider incorporating GIS technology into his or her projects for their current program of courses. 

Award: Student receives cash award of $1,000

Application Package must include:
 A cover letter (highlighting GIS & RS activities)
A current CV/Resume
 An academic transcript (can be unofficial)
GIS Poster* (attach as a PDF)
 GIS Summary Report** (attach as a PDF)

Email your submission package to the Dal GIS Centre: james.boxall@dal.ca
Specify subject as: GIS Award
Deadline to apply: Friday, March 17, 2017 (on or before 11:59 p.m.)

*GIS Poster:
 Must use ArcGIS software
 Must be created only by the applicant
 Graphics be of sufficient quality for printing (300 dpi)
 Portrait orientation (24 inches wide by 36 inches high)
 File size should not exceed 10 MB

**GIS Summary Report (explains your project or research): 

800–1,000 words maximum
 Can include maps and other illustrations

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3. 2017 INTERNATIONAL ESRI YOUNG SCHOLARS AWARD 

This is a national competition which will be awarded to one Canadian student. If you follow the international guidelines, the same poster and summary report can be submitted to both the Dal GIS Centre (by Mar 17) and to the Esri Canada Young Scholars Award (by Apr 7, 2017).

Application package must include:

GIS Poster:
 Must use ArcGIS software
 Must be created only by the applicant
 Graphics be of sufficient quality for printing (300 dpi)
 Portrait orientation (24 inches wide by 36 inches high)
 File size should not exceed 10 MB

GIS Summary Report (explains your project or research):
800–1,000 words maximum
 Can include maps and other illustrations

Submit via: https://scholars.esri.ca/eys-application/
Deadline to apply: Friday, April 7, 2017 (on or before 11:59 p.m.)

GIS & Data Services Launch Newsletter: Layers

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Recently, the GIS Centre and other data services at the Dalhousie Libraries were brought together with the goal of supporting a wider variety of teaching, learning, and research activities. In conjunction with the Esri Canada Centre of Excellence (ECCE), GIS & Data Services at the Dal Libraries have launched a newsletter, Layers.

The first issue provides updates on Geospatial data, GIS at Dal, the ECCE, ArcGIS, and upcoming events. Contributors included James Boxall, Jennifer Strang, Julie Marcoux, Claudio Aporta and Gwen MacNairn. To subscribe, simply contact gis@dal.ca

Here’s the first issue: https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/handle/10222/72284

 

REVISED GISciences Centre’s Lunchless Learn Series: Fall 2016

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What is a ‘Lunchless Learn’? It’s a hands-on tutorial, held around lunchtime, open to all on campus — without the food.GIS lunchless learns

A GIS, or Geographic Information System, is “a computer system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying data relating to positions on earth’s surface.” In other words, it’s an easy and fun way to look at the world differently.

This is a series to help give people a taste of what GIS is and how it can be used. To try and accommodate more people we are offering the same session at different times and locations. These sessions are meant to be self contained. After the Intro session – take only the topics that are of interest to you.

Due to the high level of interest, we ask you to sign up for session(s). To sign up, send an email to gis@dal.ca

Intro – First Encounters of the GIS Kind
Mon., Sept. 19/1:30–3 p.m.                        Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus
Tues., Sept. 20/1–2:30 p.m.                        Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*
Thurs., Sept. 22/11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.           Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus

Sessions cancelled due to unavailability of instructor.
Data: So You Want to Make a Map – where and how to find data
Mon., Sept. 26/1–3 p.m.                             Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus
Tues., Sept. 27/1–3 p.m.                             Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*

Revised schedule:
Data: So You Want to Make a Map – where and how to find data
Mon., Oct. 3/1–3 p.m.                         Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus
Tues., Oct. 4/1–3 p.m.                         Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*

Raster: how to become a raster master
Tues., Oct. 11/1–2:30 p.m.                       Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*
Mon., Oct. 17/1:30–3 p.m.                       Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus

Carto: maps — the good, the bad, and the ugly
Tues., Oct. 18/1–2:30 p.m.                       Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*
Mon., Oct. 24/1:30–3 p.m.                       Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus

ArcGIS Online – GIS that’s in the Cloud(s)
Mon., Oct. 31/1:30–3 p.m.                      Room G70, Killam Library, Studley Campus
Tues., Nov. 1/1–2:30 p.m.                       Room C300, C Building, Sexton Campus*     

*Due to construction at the Sexton Campus, the location may have to change because of lab availability. If this is the case, the class could be at the Killam Library in room G70. If you are signed up for the session, you will receive an email notification if there is a room change, and the listings here will be updated.

Esri Canada GIS Scholarship

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Through the Esri Canada GIS Scholarships program, Esri Canada is proud to recognize students at Canadian post-secondary institutions who are involved in projects. The scholarships are provided through schools, Dalhousie being one of 50 schools across the country, that demonstrate strong, multidisciplinary GIS courses and programs. This scholarship provides recipients with great networking opportunities, funding and access to extensive GIS resources including Esri ARCGIS software, books and training to develop their GIS skills and knowledge.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015.

For more information: ESRI Scholarship

 

Dal, NSCC reach agreement with Esri Canada to promote GIS work

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Recently, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) entered into an agreement with the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) Canada Limited. This agreement, as part of Esri Canada’s new Centres of Higher Education Excellence (ECCE) program, will encourage more sharing of resources in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS helps address many business, socio-economic, and demographic challenges from a spatial context and presents solutions visually using interactive, digital mapping technology.

Esri Canada’s ECCE program involves only seven higher education institutions in Canada. The ECCE program will foster new and innovative uses of GIS in both institutions. Dalhousie and NSCC’s Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) & Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) will see several benefits from this agreement including support from Esri for GIS activities and research with in-kind support for training, software, technical support, and scholarships and awards. This program will open up opportunities with a network of post-secondary institutions across the country that educate students in GIS, strengthening existing relationships in a way that will benefit students, faculty, and researchers.

The ECCE program is the next step in Esri Canada’s support of educational institutions across the country and complements their long-term, ongoing support of NSCC-COGS and Dalhousie. The Esri agreement with NSCC and Dalhousie will encourage innovation in GIS research and excellence in teaching in the field.  It will help promote GIS education and course options for future students, pool resources to help increase the creation of custom software application development, promote the sharing of information around student availability and employment opportunities, and encourage collaboration with research funding. The agreements are in place for two-year terms.

NSCC-COGS has worked closely with Esri Canada since the company’s inception in the early 1980s. Since 2005, Dalhousie has received an annual scholarship from Esri Canada through the GIS Centre. Esri Canada creates software and tools that allow people to distribute GIS services through the web, desktop, and mobile applications.

Dr. Brent Hall, Director of Education and Research at Esri Canada, says, “We are very pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dalhousie and COGS through their GIS education and spatial data research programs. Bringing the two institutions together through the new ECCE will serve to create a hub in Atlantic Canada that will allow students, researchers, and the regional spatial information technology information industry to continue to thrive.”

“Programs like this offer a chance for greater information and idea sharing which will help to inspire more real-world solutions for our communities and additional resources for our faculty and students,” says Dennis Kingston, Academic Chair for NSCC’s COGS at its Annapolis Valley Campus.

Dalhousie’s provost and vice-president academic, Dr. Carolyn Watters says the university is very pleased to take part in the ECCE program. “The opportunities the agreement opens up will not only benefit our students and faculty but will be instrumental in connecting us more closely with a national network within the GIS sector.”

“The ECCE that includes Dalhousie and NSCC provides further incentive for the institutions to work closer together in the field of GIS,” notes Mike McAllister, computer science faculty member and Dalhousie’s chair of ECCE. “There’s much to be learned from both institutions, in terms of how each is using GIS technology. Dalhousie has elements of spatial scholarship that underlie research and education in many of its faculties, while NSCC, specifically COGS, has been providing its expertise in geospatial work to industry nationally for years. The ECCE will allow us to identify more opportunities for innovation and partnership.”

“This ECCE is a win-win-win scenario for students and faculty at Dal and NSCC and for Esri,” adds Dave MacLean, GIS faculty and chair of ECCE at NSCC-COGS. “It opens up avenues for all involved to share resources locally and work more collaboratively across the board.”