Research Guides: Geographic Information Systems: GIS Home

What is GIS?

GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, is an automated system composed of hardware, data, software and people used to create, store, display and analyze spatial data and related attributes. A GIS integrates query and statistical analysis with map making and geographical analysis.

GIS allows users to perform complex analysis providing a powerful planning and decision making tool for a wide variety of disciplines. GIS is now being used for applications such as: cancer research, criminal justice, environmental risk analysis, health administration, marketing, public health, urban studies and planning and others.

GIS Training

As part of the State of Virginia higher education site license for ESRI, VCU students, faculty and staff have free access to GIS courses offered via ESRI Academy. VCU Technology Services administers the site license for VCU and provides helpful information about hardware and software.

Access VCU's ArcGIS Online
To create an account or to log in, click the Sign In button in the upper right and then log in by clicking the big blue box that reads "Click Here (in the blue box) to Login with your VCU eID." Your account will be created if you don't already have one. To access training materials, after logging in click on your name in the upper right corner and then select "Training."
Esri Training
Select Sign In in the upper right of the screen to select and/or access courses
LinkedIn Learning
Leading online learning company providing tutorials aimed at teaching business, software, technology and creative skills.

The L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs also offers a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems.

GIS at VCU Libraries

The Workshop (Cabell Library)
The Workshop includes a GIS and Data Visualization workstation for viewing, querying, analyzing and editing of spatial data, and to communicate information as visual objects. Software includes ArcGIS 10.3.1, Google Earth Pro, Tableau 9.3, ParaView, Microsoft SandDance, Gephi and SPSS.
Multimedia Collaboration Room (Health Sciences Library)
GIS software available: ArcView, ArcEditor, ArcInfo, ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox, ArcGlobe, ArcReader, ArcScene and ArcPlot.

Additional Campus Resources

GIS License Server
GIS data and software is now available to VCU students, faculty and staff! Learn more from VCU Technology Services.

Interactive Mapping

These resources are some examples of interactive mapping resources that allow you to easily create maps without GIS software.

SimplyAnalytics
A web-based analytics and data visualization application that makes it easy for anyone to create interactive maps, charts and reports.
Social Explorer
Easy access to current and historical census data and demographic information. Create maps and reports to illustrate, analyze, and understand demography and social change.
GeoFRED
Data-mapping tool from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis creates thematic maps of economic data.
GIS at the National Cancer Institute
A Web site supported by the NCI for use by the public, cancer researchers and the GIS Special Interest Group.
National Center for Health Statistics GIS and Public Health
Designed to provide information on GIS at NCHS and in the larger public health community.
The National Map
Collaborative effort among the USGS and other Federal, State, and local partners to improve and deliver topographic information for the Nation.
Richmond GIS
Retrieve maps on several topics, including Education & Cultural, Political and Property, and customize these maps with different layers. Location searches using the Property topic allow access to ownership, value and sale information for homes.
U.S. Census Bureau Interactive Maps
Interactive mapping tools from across the Census Bureau.

Geographic Information Systems

Librarian