Library Resources
G&ES master's theses - library catalog search
Run a query of M.A. in G&ES theses currently available for review in the Library.
G&ES Student Handbooks
The Department maintains a Student Handbook specifically for G&ES students. It provides information about resources and opportunities of special interest to G&ES students in G&ES, in other departments, and in the Chicago region. There is an Undergraduate Handbook and a Graduate Handbook. Pick one up at the main office in Room BBH 346A.
G&ES Syllabus Mapping Form
Use this syllabus mapping form to better understand the syllabi for your G&ES courses.
Internship Databases
Students preparing to take on an internship may look through the Department's database of past internship reports. These include a daily log of activities, an executive summary of the experience, contact information for field supervisors and a reflective essay. Inquire with your advisor or in the Department office at ges@neiu.edu.
GIS Databases and Software
A great deal of information is available online. Here are some premier sites:
- U.S. Geological Survey.
- City of Chicago Interactive Map
- Chicago GIS Data Portal
- Data.Gov: View 195,000 searchable databases.
- Perry Castenada Library is a great source for maps.
- Inkscape (vector), GIMP and Krita (raster) are open source graphics programs; Sketchup is a 3D modeling tool.
- Quantum GIS or QGIS is an open source GIS program.
- R is a statistical package, also open source.
GIS Bootcamp
This online GIS bootcamp is an additional resources available to students studying GIS at NEIU. With these courses you will create a data workflow, analyze geographic data, create a map dashboard, and set up a GIS data repository in the cloud.
Interesting Links
G&ES students make good use of technology in classes and in the field. With so many GIS classes, Interactive Cartography and Cartography, there is always something new. Here is a sample of sites we find particularly interesting.
- A globe showing thousands of radio stations around the world. Choose any, listen in real time at radio.garden.
- Here's current wind in the United States and air pollution in real time.
- Generate isochrones (travel time contour maps) with interactive tool Valhalla.
- Mapnificent is a quick isochrone generator for selected city areas (including Chicago).
- The Department of Transportation recently published this noise map.
- The Global Conflict Tracker is the Center for Preventative Action's world map.
American Psychological Association (APA) Style
This is the required style for professional writing at the graduate level in the Department of Geography & Environmental Studies. Undergraduate students would do well to study this style as well, but it is less likely to be required in their written papers.