Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota GIS Program

The Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Department of Resource Analysis provides a Master of Science – Geographic Information Science degree.  This degree consists of 41 semester hours.  In addition to the master’s degree they also have a Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology which can be earned separately or concurrently with the master’s degree.  These educational options are available between their two campuses; the Winona Campus and the Twin Cities Campus.

Saint Mary’s Department of Resource Analysis prides itself in allowing for “hands on learning”.  This learning style embraces the ESRI technology in their labs and instructional materials.  The class sizes are usually small and enable students to receive direct instructor support.  Beyond the classroom, Saint Mary’s helps to develop networking opportunities for career placement and advancement.

On their website, Saint Mary’s University describes their program:

The program is suited for diverse interests and provides educational options for any learner no matter their background. Student centered learning is maximized through flexibility in offering distance-learning courses as well as multiple degree concentrations in natural resource management, homeland security/emergency management, business, policy administration, criminal justice, and/or project management.

Their students and alumni have received quite a bit a recognition and praise from various sources.  These include:

• GIS Project Presentation at the International ESRI Conference
• Job Interview with the United States Postal Inspection Service
• Received Job as the Deputy GIS officer for all of Europe
• Student said that they went from no technology background to gaining effective GIS skills
• Described as putting top-quality professionals out in the GIS world!

Read more testimonials…

To see what type of graduates this program puts out, check out some of their students’ work:

Graduate Project Video Presentations
Graduate Papers Online

Some of the topics include:

• Using GIS to Examine the Head Start Service Area in Winona County, Minnesota
• The effect of Tourist Attractions on the Crime Trends in the Growing Community of Shakopee, Minnesota
• Using GIS to Create a Gray Wolf Habitat Suitability Model in the Western Upper Penninsula of Michigan and Assessment of Wolf Pack Ranges
• Improving Geocode Match Rates of Valid Addresses by Combining Multiple Reference Data Sets
• Using GIS to Locate Target Markets in the Retail Banking Sector

The Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology falls under the Continuing Education Program. There are three different certificates available:

• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Foundations
• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Advanced Engagements
• Professional Certificate in Geospatial Technology – Excellence

Each certificate requires 120 continuing education units with each continuing education unit equaling 10 hours of course time. The program is setup as an on-learning environment. The courses are described as:

The courses provided through this program are intended to ensure that geospatial and technology enthusiasts have access to, and are provided with, opportunities to remain current with technology in the field of Geographic Information Systems and related geospatial technologies.

Scholarships

Saint Mary’s University offers a variety of scholarships although none directly apply to GIS. One that caught my attention was the SGPP Faculty Staff Scholarship. The faculty and staff provide two scholarships of at least $1,700 which are available to students in any of the certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs.

Learn more about Saint Mary’s University: http://www.smumn.edu/
Learn more about the Geospatial Program: http://www.gis.smumn.edu/

Note: The information within this article has been thoroughly researched but should be verified with the college.  Publication of this article was not initiated by the college but is the sole work of GIS Pathway.

Geocoding – Guide to Address Locating in ArcMap

Geocoding is a process that enables you to match database records to a real world location based upon attribute fields such as addresses, PINs, Cities, etc.  Carrying out this process in ArcMap is very simple and can be completed in just a few steps.

Note: This example uses addresses, but other attributes can be used.

1. Compile Address Table – This can be done in excel, access, or other compatible file format .

Read more on: Excel in ArcGIS Desktop

2. Create Address Locator – The address locator will be based upon the data that needs to be located and the reference data.

• Open ArcCatalog
• Open desired folder for Locator to be saved in
• Right click in contents area
• Click New -> Address Locator…

3. Choose Locator Style – This will depend upon the source data and reference data.  These data types need to correlate.

4. Set Address Locator Options

• Name and Description
• Reference data – The data you will match to such as address points, streets, or city points.
• Match corresponding fields – This will vary by locator style.  US Streets is shown here.
• Set Matching Options – You will find which configuration works best through trial and error.
• Click Ok

Your locator has now been create and is shown in ArcCatalog via the “House” icon.

5. Add Address Table to Map – You can add Excel tables directly into ArcMap (9.2 or later) or create a .dbf table to be added in.

6. Right Click Table -> Geocode Addresses…

7. Add  Locator to Map and Select it to be Used – You will need to browse to the folder (via the “Add..” button) that contains the created locator.

8. Complete Locator/Geocoding  Options

• Select Corresponding Input Fields
• Choose Output Location
• Click Ok

Status is updated during geocoding process and results are shown on map.

10. You can Review or Rematch Any Address

• Right Click on geocoded point file in Table of Contents
• Data -> Review/Rematch ddresses…
• Follow options in Interactive Rematch Dialog