Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/gis-1
If you’ve ever been curious about how maps are made, how spatial data is analyzed, or how geographic information systems (GIS) work, then Coursera’s “Geographical Information Systems – Part 1” is the perfect starting point. This course, designed for absolute beginners, offers a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and practical foundations of GIS, requiring no prior knowledge.
What sets this course apart is its hands-on approach. You’ll be working with free, open-source software like QGIS, a powerful tool used by professionals worldwide. This practical focus ensures that you’ll quickly gain the essential skills needed to create your own spatial databases and produce high-quality maps and cartographic representations.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured to guide you through the core concepts of GIS. It begins with “Digitization – Territorial Modeling: Spatial elements and the characteristics,” where you’ll learn about selecting relevant spatial phenomena based on scale and theme, and how geographic positioning and data types (raster or vector) influence territorial models.
Next, the course delves into “Digitization – Geodata Capture and Documentation.” Here, you’ll explore various data acquisition techniques, from direct measurements to georeferencing digital images. A crucial aspect covered is metadata, which is vital for data sustainability. The inclusion of case studies, such as participatory GIS in Senegal and Seychelles, brings real-world applications to life.
The “Digitization – Automated Capture and Use of Existing Geodata” module builds upon previous concepts, introducing automatic vectorization and highlighting important existing geodata sources. A case study on a biodiversity project in Senegal and Mauritania provides further practical context before you test your understanding with the first quiz.
The second module, “Storage – Geodata Structure and Organization,” dives into the fundamentals of geodata storage, common data formats, relational databases, and data modeling. You’ll even learn to create databases within QGIS, reinforced by a case study on GIS in transport and urban planning in Senegal.
“Storage – Data Management with SQL” introduces you to the power of SQL for querying, aggregating, and manipulating data within relational databases. Finally, “Storage – Spatial SQL and NoSQL Databases” takes this further by focusing on spatial queries and providing a glimpse into the emerging field of NoSQL databases, concluding with a case study on bushfire management in sub-Saharan Africa and a final quiz.
Overall, “Geographical Information Systems – Part 1” is an exceptionally well-designed course that demystifies GIS. Its blend of theory, practical application with open-source tools, and engaging case studies makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enter the field of geospatial analysis. Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/gis-1