A geographic information system (GIS) combines software and digital geographic data to generate maps, tables, and interactive analyses of spatial information. Princeton uses GIS to manage resources, study spatial relationships, and visualize change. The training session is for those with no previous GIS experience. Students will work with ArcGIS Pro, GIS software manufactured by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri), ArcGIS Online, software as an on-line service from ESRI, and QGIS, a free open-source GIS application, to learn GIS concepts and explore geospatial data.

Attendance at a one-day training session is a prerequisite for SPI 593n, GIS for Public Policy. Other SPI students may take the one-day training if they wish, or may register for other short GIS training sessions available through the Library.