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Wellesley College Research Guides

Maps, GIS, & Geospatial Data

Software Use & Access

ArcGIS (PC) and QGIS (Mac & PC) are installed in the following public computer labs:

  • Modulars 212 - QGIS
  • Modulars 304 Knapp Makerspace - ArcGIS Pro
  • Science Center Data Lounge - ArcMap
You can access ArcGIS Online by emailing Tracy (tt103@wellesley.edu) for an account.

 

You can sign into ArcGIS Online ArcGIS Online then launch the app of your choice under more apps: AGOL more apps

We have an Esri Education Institution License that covers college-related academic purposes like teaching and research (restrictive if administrative), and installation on personal devices, as long as you use it for learning purposes. This means:

  • Core software (desktop and online) can be used for coursework, research, and select administrative purposes. You can refer to this rubric for determining permitted uses under our license
  • No commercial/for-profit activities
  • Can't be used outside of the US without Esri's express written consent
Please contact LTSsoftware@wellesley.edu for clarifying questions.

 

As a Wellesley alum, you retain access to your email in perpetuity, which enables you to continue access to ArcGIS Online. You can consider signing up for an ArcGIS for Personal Use subscription for $100/year to use ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS Online for personal, not-for-profit uses.

If you're a graduating student, you should consider the following options:

  1. Transfer collaborative content to a current user – if you own the content that was created as part of a collaboration (e.g. group project, faculty research), please organize items that need to be transferred in folders, and contact Tracy (tt103@wellesley.edu) with the folder name and whom to transfer to

     

    Create folder for AGOL content transfer
  2. Transfer to your ArcGIS for Personal Use subscription – once you have your personal account, you can migrate the content using ArcGIS Online Assistant. For items that can’t be transferred with AGOL Assistant (such as StoryMaps) or if you need help, please contact Tracy (tt103@wellesley.edu)
  3. Transfer to another ArcGIS Online organization – if your future employer or institution has an ArcGIS Online account and allows your content to be transferred there, you can migrate the content using ArcGIS Online Assistant. For items that can’t be transferred with AGOL Assistant (such as StoryMaps) or if you need help, please contact Tracy (tt103@wellesley.edu)
  4. Delete – you can delete any content that you no longer need, and others are not dependent on (e.g. a web map that’s part of a StoryMap or web app)

 

 

  ArcMap ArcPro ArcGIS Online
Description ArcMap is a desktop GIS program for cartography, geoprocessing/spatial analysis, and data management. ArcPro is the latest desktop GIS program that has enhanced 3D and graphic capabilities, more interactive geoprocessing, and integration with ArcGIS Online. ArcGIS Online is a collaborative web GIS where you can use, create, and share maps, 3D scenes, web applications, and data layers.
Platform Desktop Desktop Web
Interface Toolbar Ribbon Toolbar
Integration with AGOL Limited - can access via add data from ArcGIS Online Complete n/a
Companion Applications ArcCatalog, ArcScene, ArcGlobe All integrated Commonly used: StoryMaps, data collection apps such as Field Maps and Survey123
Layout Single Multiple Single
Analysis Capabilities   Similar to ArcMap with naming/workflow changes. Notable difference from ArcMap: don't need to start/end editing session, can change database schema without using ArcCatalog Limited
Analysis Capacity No limit No limit Consumes credits by capability (except for: create viewshed, create watersheds, trace downstream). There are finite credits allotted and each analysis/hosting consumes credits proportional to the magnitude of the datasets
3D 3D Analyst extension 3D Scene 3D web scene
User Account None License tied to user; account generated by request License tied to user; account generated by request
User Privileges Unrestricted Unrestricted Default is Publisher - can create maps, perform analysis, add items, share content, create groups, and publish features/map tiles as hosted web layers
Map File Map documents (.mxd) Projects (.aprx) - which can include multiple maps Cloud hosted web maps
Data Sharing Local Local and cloud-hosted (edit feature services on-the-fly) Cloud hosted - can set access to individual, Wellesley, or the public

Nobody Puts Spatial Data in a Corner

 

 

Your data is not preserved on local desktops on public lab computers, so you should save your work accordingly. Your ArcGIS Online content is guaranteed to be saved while you’re at Wellesley, but not indefinitely after you graduate or otherwise leave (reference What happens to my ArcGIS access and content after I graduate or otherwise leave Wellesley?)

The challenges in searching for spatial data are similar to finding data generally - mainly, the personalized nature of data needs in terms of topic, temporal/geographic coverage, scale, and other attributes. To get started, you can:

I Believe I Can Learn GIS

There are currently no GIS-specific courses offered at Wellesley, but there are a plethora of course that incorporates spatial thinking in the curriculum.

You can cross-register within Babson, Brandeis, MIT, or Olin. Here are some spring 2023 courses for example:

 

You have the option of using ArcGIS (which is a proprietary software, popular industry standard; runs on a PC) or QGIS (free, open-source; can do both PC/Mac) - I use both, and is partial to free and open-source alternatives, so I would encourage learning QGIS. If you understand the rationale behind why you're doing an operation, then the exact tool in the various platforms are translatable.