Introduction to GIS Mapping

Introduction to GIS Mapping

This course is part of GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Specialization

Instructor: Don Boyes

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Assessments

6 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Specialization

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There are 6 modules in this course

Get started learning about the fascinating and useful world of geographic information systems (GIS)! In this first course of the specialization GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis, you'll learn about what a GIS is, how to get started with the software yourself, how things we find in the real world can be represented on a map, how we record locations using coordinates, and how we can make a two-dimensional map from a three-dimensional Earth. In the course project, you will create your own GIS data by tracing geographic features from a satellite image for a location and theme of your choice. This course will give you a strong foundation in mapping and GIS that will give you the understanding you need to start working with GIS, and to succeed in the other courses in this specialization.

This course is for anyone who wants to learn about mapping and GIS. You don't have to have any previous experience - just your curiosity! The course includes both practical software training and explanations of the concepts you need to know to make informed decisions as you start your journey to becoming a GIS analyst. You will need a Windows computer with ArcGIS Desktop installed. (software is not provided)

What's included

9 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 60 minutes

Introduction to the specialization3 minutesPreview module
Welcome to the course!0 minutes
Maps in your pocket5 minutes
What is a map?8 minutes
What is a GIS?8 minutes
Defining GIS7 minutes
A quick tour of the software10 minutes
Examples of geospatial data10 minutes
Procedures and people4 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

ArcGIS software is no longer provided with this course10 minutes
PDF files of all lecture slides10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 15 minutes

GIS Software needed for this course5 minutes
Week 1 Quiz10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

GIS and you20 minutes

What's included

10 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

10 videosTotal 81 minutes

Web map design and content in ArcGIS Online9 minutesPreview module
A quick tour of ArcGIS Online12 minutes
Map documents and layers10 minutes
Keeping track of files in ArcMap8 minutes
Jack Dangermond3 minutes
Map scale10 minutes
Scale on a web map10 minutes
Scale, annotation, and visibility9 minutes
Working with map scale in ArcMap4 minutes
Working with map scale in ArcGIS Online1 minute

1 readingTotal 20 minutes

Start exploring the software20 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 20 minutes

Week 2 Quiz20 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Scale and representation15 minutes

What's included

10 videos1 assignment

10 videosTotal 85 minutes

Mapping the real world12 minutesPreview module
Vector data model13 minutes
Creating vector data by digitizing in ArcMap9 minutes
Sampling frequency when digitizing3 minutes
Map scale and digitizing7 minutes
Precision, accuracy, and digitizing9 minutes
Raster data model4 minutes
Spatial resolution and data volume12 minutes
Spatial resolution of raster data in ArcMap3 minutes
Vector vs. raster data models8 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 30 minutes

Week 3 Quiz30 minutes

What's included

9 videos1 reading1 assignment

9 videosTotal 76 minutes

Longitude and latitude8 minutesPreview module
Defining the prime meridian4 minutes
Recording lat/long coordinates6 minutes
Converting DMS/DD coordinates2 minutes
The Earth as an ellipsoid12 minutes
Horizontal datum8 minutes
Geographic coordinate system7 minutes
Changing horizontal datums11 minutes
Vertical datum13 minutes

1 readingTotal 15 minutes

Exploring coordinates15 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Week 4 Quiz10 minutes

What's included

16 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt

16 videosTotal 123 minutes

Purpose of map projections7 minutesPreview module
How projections work6 minutes
Associating points from 3D to 2D7 minutes
Projection class3 minutes
Standard line and scale factor10 minutes
Projection case7 minutes
Projection aspect6 minutes
Projection central meridian6 minutes
Tissot's indicatrix10 minutes
Equidistant projection5 minutes
Great circles and rhumb lines8 minutes
Projection distance and direction5 minutes
Grid coordinate systems and UTM13 minutes
Projections and ArcGIS6 minutes
Working with map projections11 minutes
Data frames and extent rectangles in ArcMap4 minutes

1 assignmentTotal 10 minutes

Week 5 Quiz10 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Web Mercator maps and where you live15 minutes

What's included

1 peer review

Instructor

Instructor ratings

4.9 (852 ratings)

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Don Boyes

University of Toronto

4 Courses104,018 learners

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University of Toronto

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Reviewed on Jul 16, 2020

This course is basic introduction to key concepts used in GIS. I found the instructor to be great. Complex terms are explained in simple way. Overall this is a very good course for beginners.

Reviewed on May 19, 2021

The passion & enthusiasm in which you handle the sessions and the logical reasoning that you provide is outstanding. Really appreciate your efforts and looking forward to more lectures.

Reviewed on Jun 3, 2020

The content, materials, examples, and explanations of this course are awesome. Dan, you are an awesome teacher. I really enjoyed this journey and highly recommend this course.

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