This course is organized into two parts presenting the theoretical and practical foundations of geographic information systems (GIS).- Together theses courses constitute an introduction to GIS and require no prior knowledge.
- By following this introduction to GIS you will quickly acquire the basic knowledge required to create spatial databases and produce high-quality maps and cartographic representations.
- This is a practical course and is based on free, open-source software, including QGIS.
If you study or work in the fields of land management or the analysis of geographically distributed objects such as land use planning, biology, public health, ecology, or energy, then this course is for you!
In this first part of the course, we will focus on the digitization and the storage of geodata. In particular, you will learn:
- To characterize spatial objects and/or phenomena (territory modeling) with respect to their position in space (through coordinate systems, projections, and spatial relationships) and according to their intrinsic nature (object/vector mode vs. Image/raster mode);
- About the different means used to acquire spatial data; including direct measurement, georeferencing images, digitization, existing data source, etc.);
- About the different ways in which geodata can be stored - notably, files and relational databases;
- How to use data modeling tools to describe and create a spatial database;
- To query and analyze data using SQL, a common data manipulation language.
The second part of this course will focus on methods of spatial analysis and geodata representation. In this section, you will learn:
- How to describe and quantify the spatial properties of discrete variables, for example through spatial autocorrelation;
- To work with continuous variables. In particular, we will look at sampling strategies, how to construct contour lines and isovalue curves, and we will explore different interpolation methods;
- To use digital elevation models and create their derivative products (i.e. slope, orientation);
- How to evaluate the interaction between different types of geodata through overlay and interaction techniques;
- How to create effective maps based around the rules of graphic semiology;
- Finally, we will also explore other, increasingly common, forms of spatial representation such as interactive web-mapping and 3D representations.
You can find an interactive forum for course participants on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/moocsig
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Syllabus
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week 1
Digitization – Territorial Modeling: Spatial elements and the characteristics
Week 2
Digitization - Geodata Capture and Documentation
Week 3
Digitization - Automated Capture and Use of Existing Geodata
Week 4
Storage - Geodata Structure and Organization
Week 5
Storage - Data Management with SQL
Week 6
Storage - Spatial SQL and NoSQL Databases
FAQ
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Reviews
it will help me for my career development thanks coursera
this course helps me a lot in putting things I knew in the unprofessional or crude way into a more organized professional manner. if you are looking to learn the basis of GIS this is what you need
