Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Geographic information systems (GIS) is a rapidly advancing field that has become thoroughly integrated into our society and inseparable from our daily lives. Today, GIS is used by professionals in many different disciplines and fields, such as public health, disaster management, law enforcement, environmental management, resource allocation, forestry, geology, and more. In this full-color textbook, author Falguni Mukherjee equips students with GIS and spatial thinking skills applicable to this wide range of disciplines and fields, preparing them for success in countless professions.

This comprehensive, grounded introduction to the basics of geographic information systems and science is written in a clear and accessible style, making the complex and sophisticated field of GIS and spatial thinking comprehensible for beginners. Up-to-date with current GIS trends and incorporating exercises using a number of GIS software, Mukherjee covers a wide array of topics including the history of GIS, geospatial data models and analysis, projections and coordinate systems, database management systems, cartography, ethics in GIS, GIS project management principles, GIS and society, and digital transformation.

Features of this exciting, brand-new text include:

• Chapter opening learning objectives to guide students’ course goals
• Helpful study aids such as key terms--bolded in the text and compiled both at the end of each chapter and in a comprehensive glossary
• End-of-chapter questions and activities utilizing GIS software to promote active learning and build useful skills
• A stunning full-color art program, with detailed maps, figures, tables, and photos, to engage students as visual learners

Falguni Mukherjee is professor of environmental and geosciences and associate dean for graduate student success in the Graduate and Professional School at Sam Houston State University. Dr. Mukherjee’s research centers on the interaction between science, society, and technology. She particularly focuses on the process of technology use for urban governance in a non-western context and the focal point of her research is urban local bodies in South Asia. She also utilizes remote sensing technology to understand earth-environment interactions in her research.