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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services: Learning GIS @ Texas State

This guide gives a basic overview of Geographic Information Systems and the resources available to Texas State University library patrons.

Learning options

There are several avenues for current members of the Texas State community to learn GIS and related subjects. The sections below outline some of the options available at Texas State University campus.

1.  Workshops

  • Periodic workshops on GIS and related topics are organized by the GIS Services Unit for all members of the Texas State University. Please check the University’s Signup Reservation System for further information.

2.  One-On-One Research Consultations

  • The GIS Services Specialist is also available by appointment for consultations regarding GIS related issues.

3.  Self-Tutored Online Courses (Esri Academy; formerly called Esri E-Learning or Virtual Campus courses)

  • These are online-based courses provided by ESRI. They comprise courses ranging from basic GIS skills to advanced GIS skills.

  • To access these courses:

  1. Visit this website: Esri Training.

  2. Next, in the top right corner, click on the human icon to open the Sign in page.

  3. Click on the Your ArcGIS organization's URL button, and then type txst in the box. Afterwards, click Continue.

  4. Click on Texas State University.

  5. In the new window that opens, enter your Texas State NetID and password and click Login.

  6. Proceed to verify your account using the 2-step authentication system and you are all set.

    NB: If you are a new user, the system will automatically generate a username for your account in the form of “netid_TxSt”, e.g. abc_TxSt. Once your account is created, you may edit your profile with other details such as your last name. This account would/could serve as your Esri Global Account as long as you are attached to Texas State University as a student, faculty or staff. With it, you can access ESRI Academy courses, ArcGIS Online portals, register for  Esri User Conferences etc. However, remember to download or back up your datasets, certificates and other files you may have in the account so you can access them in the event that you leave Texas State University.
    While at TXST, remember to login to this account by first selecting Your ArcGIS organization's URL, as demonstrated above.

    For further information, contact the GIS Services at UL-RDS@txstate.edu.

4.  Learn ArcGIS / Intro to ArcGIS Pro

  • Free ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro tutorials provided by Esri.

5.  Lynda.com

  • Access several video tutorials and transcripts about ArcGIS and QGIS. All faculty, staff, and students have free, unlimited access to Lynda.com online training.

6.  QGIS Training Material

  • Free training material providing a step by step guide on QGIS.

7.  Introduction to Imagery and Remote Sensing

  • This site presents a growing body of materials to aid the development of university-level curricula on the subject of Introduction to Imagery and Remote Sensing. All resources and materials are absolutely FREE.

8.  Courses for Credit

  • The majority of GIS and related courses taught at Texas State University (both at the Undergraduate and Graduate level) are in the Geography Department and Environmental Studies. The Criminal Justice Department also offers some limited GIS-related courses.  These courses are patronized by students from various fields of study including Anthropology, Biology, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Engineering, Geography, Health Administration, Marketing, Wildlife etc. Below are some of the major courses taught at Texas State:

Undergraduate

GEO 2426 Fundamentals of GIS

GEO 3411 Maps and Map Making

GEO 3416 Principles of Remote Sensing

GEO 3426 Advanced GIS

GEO 4324 GPS and GIS

GEO 4411 Advanced Cartographic Design

GEO 4420 GeoProgramming 

GEO 4412 Digital Remote Sensing

GEO 4422 Web Mapping

GEO 4427 GIS Design and Implementation

For details about these courses, please visit the links below:

Graduate Programs

Masters:

GEO5408 Web Mapping

GEO5415 Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing

GEO 5417 Advanced Cartographic Design

GEO5418 Geographic Information Systems

GEO 5419 Geographic Information Systems II

Ph.D.:

GEO 7415 Geographic Applications of Remote Sensing

GEO 7417 Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

GEO 7316 Remote Sensing and the Environment

GEO 7318 GIS in Environmental Geography

GEO 7319 Environmental Digital Terrain Modeling

GEO 7347 Spatial Graphics and Geographic Education

GEO 7361 Advanced Geographic Information Systems

GEO 7362 Geographic Visualization

GEO 7364 Geocomputation

GEO 7366 Advanced Topics in Remote Sensing

GEO 7367 Geographic Information Science and Society

GEO 7372 Seminar in Geographic Information Science

GEO 7418 Technical Foundations and Methods in Geographic Information Science

For details about these courses, please visit the links below:

Accessing ArcGIS Software and Products

Texas State University has campus-wide access (site license) to major ESRI software and products such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online (including Story Maps, Survey 123 etc.), and ArcMap (advanced). This means that any member of the university community (Student, Faculty, and Staff) has unrestricted access to these products for academic (research/teaching) purposes only.

Please see ITAC's ArcGIS Support page for information on installing and accessing ArcGIS.

At Texas State, you have access to ArcGIS Pro from several open labs on campus. ArcGIS Online can be run on any computer that is connected to the internet.

Activating ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online:

Every member of Texas State University can access the Esri cloud-based service. If you are a new user, follow the steps outlined under option 3 of Learning options (Self-Tutored Online Courses) in the column to the right for account set up directions. If you already have an account or a returning user, you can login by following these steps:

  1. Go to arcgis.com and click on the Sign In button.
  2. Click on the 'Your ArcGIS organization's URL' button, type txst in the box and then click Continue.
  3. Click on Texas State University.
  4. In the new window, enter your Texas State NetID and password and click Login. Dependent on your status at Texas State University, you will either be required to verify your account using the 2-step authentication system not.

OR

  1. Simply go to this site: https://txst.maps.arcgis.com/home/signin.html.

  2. Click on Texas State University and log in with your Texas State account credentials.  If you have or use the 2-step authentication system, you will be required to 2-step authenticate here as well. If not, you will automatically be logged in.

ArcGIS Pro:

Follow the steps below to activate your ArcGIS Pro application after downloading and installing a copy of it on your PC.

  1. Start ArcGIS Pro.
  2. In the opened window, click on Configure your licensing options.
  3. Make sure the License Type is set to Named User License then click OK.
  4. Next, click on the 'Your ArcGIS organization's URL' button, type txst in the box and then click Continue.
  5. Click on Texas State University.
  6. In the new window, enter your Texas State NetID and password and click Login. Dependent on your status at Texas State University, you will either be required to verify your account using the 2-step authentication system not.
  7. Enjoy your ArcGIS Pro.

For further information with any of the above steps or actions, contact the GIS Services Specialist at gis_services@txstate.edu.