What are some software a geography major should be familiar with?
May 21, 2011 8:00 AM Subscribe
What are some software a geography major should be familiar with?
I am working towards a bachelors of science in geography. Before I graduate, I want to learn of some applications commonly used in the field of remote sensing, geographic information science, cartography, etc.
Arc, RSI ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, Case Executive, or IMX, to name a few.
I would ask my advisor or other experts at my university, but what does metafilter think?
Much appreciated!
I am working towards a bachelors of science in geography. Before I graduate, I want to learn of some applications commonly used in the field of remote sensing, geographic information science, cartography, etc.
Arc, RSI ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, Case Executive, or IMX, to name a few.
I would ask my advisor or other experts at my university, but what does metafilter think?
Much appreciated!
In urban planning at least, I've only used ArcGIS, and think learning that, as well as some python scripting to automate tasks, would be useful.
posted by sandmanwv at 8:20 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by sandmanwv at 8:20 AM on May 21, 2011
It could be helpful to be familiar with Microsoft Access, both because there is some cross-compatibility with ArcGIS and because it's pretty commonly used to manage large datasets in government and industry (for better or worse).
posted by hydropsyche at 8:25 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by hydropsyche at 8:25 AM on May 21, 2011
If you are really interested in producing production-quality maps, I would look into learning Adobe Illustrator. While you can get good map results with ArcGIS, AI can help put the finishing touches on a map, like with labeling or smoothing lines. That capability is not quite there in ArcGIS.
I would also recommend learning Python scripting and SQL. Both can help you do a lot of tasks in a short amount of time.
posted by topophilia at 9:25 AM on May 21, 2011
I would also recommend learning Python scripting and SQL. Both can help you do a lot of tasks in a short amount of time.
posted by topophilia at 9:25 AM on May 21, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you everyone, I truly appreciate your responses.
Do you think it would benefit to learn some computer languages? Or simply gain a computer science minor/major? I have enough AP credits to fulfill both and graduate on time.
Or if computer science doesn't work out, another computer-related discipline perhaps? What do you think?
posted by enroute888 at 11:38 AM on May 21, 2011
Do you think it would benefit to learn some computer languages? Or simply gain a computer science minor/major? I have enough AP credits to fulfill both and graduate on time.
Or if computer science doesn't work out, another computer-related discipline perhaps? What do you think?
posted by enroute888 at 11:38 AM on May 21, 2011
Based on working with the folks at census, I think basic database design and SQL.
posted by empath at 11:50 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by empath at 11:50 AM on May 21, 2011
enroute888: what kind of jobs are looking at doing? Different industries and specializations are going to use way different tools.
posted by tmcw at 11:55 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by tmcw at 11:55 AM on May 21, 2011
I was a geography major and I use ArcGIS extensively at my job, but I spend even more time with Excel, SPSS, and Stata. This is partially due to the nature of the organization I work for (we conduct a lot of surveys) but GIS is as much about manipulating data as it is about the cool maps. You should absolutely learn some computer languages and Python should be at the top of your list.
posted by theodolite at 11:55 AM on May 21, 2011
posted by theodolite at 11:55 AM on May 21, 2011
Response by poster: I'm not particularly sure about what I want to get into after graduation. I just finished all of my general education courses and I pick classes next month. Of course, I have to take prereqs, but I want to gear those towards the upper-level courses that are centered around these applications such as SQL, ArcGIS, Python, and the others mentioned above.
Actually, I didn't even know there were different industries and specializations outside remote sensing, GIS, cartography, etc. What are they?
And for what it's worth, I'm leaning towards something "federal" (whatever that means nowadays) or in the government, if possible. I have my security clearance and have held many federal internships, so all I have to do is apply my studies in an agency centered around something.
posted by enroute888 at 12:02 PM on May 21, 2011
Actually, I didn't even know there were different industries and specializations outside remote sensing, GIS, cartography, etc. What are they?
And for what it's worth, I'm leaning towards something "federal" (whatever that means nowadays) or in the government, if possible. I have my security clearance and have held many federal internships, so all I have to do is apply my studies in an agency centered around something.
posted by enroute888 at 12:02 PM on May 21, 2011
I will mention that Python is free and multi-platform. Of everything you've mentioned, this is the easiest skill to pick up at the least expense.
SQL is a little trickier, as every database vendor uses their own idiom of the language. However, once you get the idea of relational database design, it's not told hard to move from one dialect to another. The concepts are more important than the specifics of the implementation.
posted by SPrintF at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2011
SQL is a little trickier, as every database vendor uses their own idiom of the language. However, once you get the idea of relational database design, it's not told hard to move from one dialect to another. The concepts are more important than the specifics of the implementation.
posted by SPrintF at 12:37 PM on May 21, 2011
SQL and Python.
But please also take some sort of graphic design class. There are too many crappy looking maps out there.
posted by desjardins at 4:52 PM on May 21, 2011
But please also take some sort of graphic design class. There are too many crappy looking maps out there.
posted by desjardins at 4:52 PM on May 21, 2011
> Do you think it would benefit to learn some computer languages? Or simply gain a computer science minor/major?
I am in physical geography as well. When I have looked at GIS-related jobs, you really need coding skills to get to the better jobs, to be an analyst, not just an operator, so, yes, learning to program in some computer languages. Not sure which ones relate to the software for the jobs for the agencies you are interested in, though. Never to soon to look at existing job postings for this kind of info. Definitely the skills are way more important than having the major/minor. But, hey, ask a prof or three in the department, too.
posted by Listener at 8:02 PM on May 21, 2011
I am in physical geography as well. When I have looked at GIS-related jobs, you really need coding skills to get to the better jobs, to be an analyst, not just an operator, so, yes, learning to program in some computer languages. Not sure which ones relate to the software for the jobs for the agencies you are interested in, though. Never to soon to look at existing job postings for this kind of info. Definitely the skills are way more important than having the major/minor. But, hey, ask a prof or three in the department, too.
posted by Listener at 8:02 PM on May 21, 2011
Python is also good due to the existence of geodjango, a python-based web-application framework with support for geographic data types.
posted by beerbajay at 2:52 AM on May 22, 2011
posted by beerbajay at 2:52 AM on May 22, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by empath at 8:16 AM on May 21, 2011