Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sig-1
Are you fascinated by maps, spatial data, and how we can use technology to understand our world better? If so, Coursera’s ‘Systèmes d’Information Géographique – Partie 1’ (Geographic Information Systems – Part 1) is the perfect course for you. This comprehensive, two-part course offers a solid foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of GIS, and ‘Partie 1’ is an excellent starting point, even if you have no prior computer science knowledge.
The course is designed to be highly accessible, requiring no prerequisites. It quickly guides you through the essential concepts needed to create your own spatial databases and craft professional-looking geographic maps. The real strength of this course lies in its practical, hands-on approach, utilizing free and open-source software. This means you can follow along and build your skills without any additional software costs.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, beginning with the fundamental principles of digitizing and modeling the territory. You’ll learn how to represent spatial objects and phenomena, understand different scales, and characterize these elements through coordinate systems, projections, and spatial relationships. The course also delves into the distinction between vector and raster data models.
Subsequent weeks focus on the crucial aspects of acquiring and documenting geospatial data. You’ll explore various techniques from direct measurement to semi-automated vectorization and georeferencing images. The importance of metadata for data longevity is highlighted, with engaging case studies, including participatory GIS in Senegal and Seychelles, offering real-world context.
The course progresses to cover the automation of data entry and the utilization of existing datasets, including an inventory of significant data sources. A case study on a biodiversity project in Senegal-Mauritania reinforces these concepts, culminating in your first knowledge check.
The latter half of ‘Partie 1’ shifts to data storage. You’ll learn about the fundamental aspects of storing geospatial data, different file formats, and the principles of relational databases and data modeling. The practical application of creating databases within QGIS is a key takeaway, supported by a case study on GIS in transport planning and urban development in Senegal.
Finally, the course dives into data management using SQL, covering conditional queries, aggregation, and data manipulation. The introduction to spatial SQL for handling geometric and topological relationships in geospatial data is particularly valuable. The course concludes with a glimpse into NoSQL databases and a case study on bushfire management in sub-Saharan Africa, rounding off your foundational GIS knowledge.
‘Systèmes d’Information Géographique – Partie 1’ is an exceptionally well-structured and practical introduction to GIS. It empowers learners with the skills to manage and visualize spatial data effectively, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enter the field or enhance their understanding of geospatial technologies. Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sig-1