GIS Fundamentals

The GIS World

History of GIS

Getting Started To GIS

An introduction to the course, its goals, and the exciting world of Geographic Information Systems.

Learn to see the world through a geographic lens and understand the importance of location with these interactive reading cards.

Discover the five key components of a GIS: Hardware, Software, Data, People, and Methods.

Watch this practice video to see GIS concepts in action. Follow along with real-world examples and practical demonstrations.

Review key terms about real-world GIS applications, from urban planning and disaster response to marketing and conservation.

Get hands-on with a live map. Learn to create fundamental GIS features: points, lines, and polygons by drawing them on a clear, educational map.

Test your grasp of the fundamental concepts and components of GIS.

Podcast Overview

Podcast: Wrap up unit one

Unit2 Overview

A deep dive into points, lines, and polygons, and how they represent discrete features in the world.

Explore how non-spatial data is stored in attribute tables and linked to vector features.

Learn how to connect external data (like spreadsheets) to your map features using common attributes.

Explore the link between map features and their data by querying different facilities in a Chicago neighborhood to find specific information.

Enhance your skills with this practice video on working with vector data models and attribute tables.

Learn how continuous phenomena like elevation and temperature are represented using a grid of cells.

Understand how each cell in a raster grid stores a value and what those values can represent.

See the raster data model in action. The online lab explores the Living Atlas, while the Pro path guides you through using raster data and imagery.

Review key terms to compare how real-world features are modeled using both vector and raster data.

Check your understanding of the differences, strengths, and weaknesses of vector and raster data.

Podcast : wrap up Unit two

Unit 03 Overview

Learn about Geoids, Ellipsoids, and Datums, the foundational models for defining location on Earth.

Understand latitude and longitude and how this angular system pinpoints any location on the globe.

Dive into why we need map projections and the unavoidable distortions they create (shape, area, distance, direction).

Discover how we "unroll" the 3D Earth onto a 2D flat map using common projections like UTM and State Plane.

Review key terms to understand how different projections drastically change the appearance of continents.

Put your skills to the test in this gamified mission. Use your mapping tools to solve the mystery by finding locations, tracing routes, and securing areas.

Reinforce your understanding of coordinate systems and map projections with this hands-on practice video.

Test your knowledge on the difference between GCS and PCS and the role of projections.

Podcast: Wrap up unit three

Unit 04 Overview

An overview of the primary and secondary sources of spatial data, including satellites, aerial photography, and GPS.

Crucial best practices for organizing your files, folders, and projects to prevent data loss.

Learn why understanding a dataset's quality, accuracy, and history through its metadata is critically important.

Understand the process of creating new vector data by tracing features from a base map or image.

Enhance your data collection skills with this hands-on practice video on heads-up digitizing techniques.

A guide to finding free, authoritative GIS data from government and scientific sources.

Georeference in GIS is the process of assigning real-world geographic coordinates to spatial data (such as an image or map) so it aligns correctly with the Earth’s coordinate system and can be analyzed with other geographic data.

Digitizing - ArcGIS Pro

Assess your knowledge of data sources and creation methods.

Unit05 Overview

Learn how to select features based on their attribute data using structured queries (SQL).

Buffer analysis in GIS is a method that creates a zone at a specified distance around a geographic feature (point, line or polygon) to identify all locations within that proximity

Learn how to select features based on their spatial relationship to other features (e.g., intersect, contain, are within a distance of).

Understand the concept of using tools to manipulate datasets, focusing on core vector analysis tools like Buffer and Clip.

Review the definitions of core geoprocessing tools like Buffer, Clip, Intersect, and Dissolve.

Use geoprocessing tools to solve a real-world spatial problem by predicting deforestation in the Amazon.

Geoprocessing is the set of tools used in GIS to analyze, transform, and manage spatial data to produce new meaningful geographic results.

Test your understanding of basic query and geoprocessing techniques.

Unit06 Overview

Discover the core principles of map design, including visual hierarchy, balance, and clarity.

Learn how to symbolize data effectively using colors, shapes, and sizes, and how to classify numerical data using methods like Natural Breaks and Equal Interval.

An introduction to using color theory and tools like ColorBrewer to create maps that are both beautiful and accessible.

تعلم كيف تحول الخيارات الكارتوجرافية البيانات الخام إلى قصة بصرية قوية. ستقوم بتحويل خريطة للزلازل الحديثة من مجرد نقاط بسيطة إلى خريطة موضوعية ثاقبة تكشف عن أنماط قوتها.

Learn about the mandatory elements every map needs: a title, legend, scale bar, north arrow, and data source credits.

Understand the power of maps to persuade and the ethical responsibilities of the map-maker.

Assemble a final map. The online lab covers the basics of ArcGIS Online, while the Pro lab focuses on creating a presentation-quality print layout.

Layout and map elements are the organized components—such as the map frame, title, legend, scale, and north arrow—that create a clear and readable map presentation.

Check your knowledge of map design principles and elements.

Instructions and guidelines for your final field project.

Submit your final project report and map URL for review.