Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products.
In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during four week-long modules:
Week 1: Tour ArcToolbox and learn how to use common geospatial analysis tools built into ArcGIS
Week 2: Gain a working understanding of raster data models: symbolize, reproject, overlay, and assess rasters. Take a detour into 3D data models, and interpolation of observations into 3D surfaces and rasters
Week 3: Go in-depth on projections and coordinate systems, which are foundational to all GIS. Learn how to use environment variables to constrain your analyses and get better quality data products.
Week 4: Expand your knowledge of symbology. Learn how to visually display your data by classifying it in logical groupings and then symbolizing it on your map.
Take Geospatial and Environmental Analysis as a standalone course or as part of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization. You should have equivalent experience to completing the first and second courses in this specialization, "Fundamentals of GIS" and "GIS Data Formats, Design, and Quality", before taking this course. By completing this third class in the Specialization you will gain the skills needed to succeed in the full program.
This course is part of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization
Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
Offered By
About this Course
4.8
625 ratings
What you will learn
Create 3-dimensional surfaces
Create triangulated irregular networks (TIN) and modify rasters to 3D data
Develop and analyze data for the geospatial analysis project
Design color ramps for your data
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
13 hours to complete
Course Overview & Geospatial Analysis
In the first module of Geospatial and Environmental Analysis, we will be learning about a plethora of common tools used with vector data in ArcGIS for geospatial analysis projects. By the end of the module, you will be able to use: the clip tool, erase tool, identity tool, near tool, point distance tool, merge tool, dissolve tool, tabulate area tool, buffers, and conversion tools. In addition, you will also begin work on a geospatial analysis project that we will be using throughout this course.
17 videos (Total 105 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz
17 videos
Course Mechanics4m
Module 1 Overview1m
Clip Tool5m
Erase and Identity Tools9m
Buffers and Multiple Ring Buffer9m
Near and Generate Near Table Tools8m
Merge Tool4m
Dissolve Tool6m
Behind the Scenes: Preparing the Dissolve Tool Lecture Data4m
Tabulate Area7m
Conversion Tools7m
Making Charts and Graphs in ArcMap10m
Geospatial Analysis Assignment Intro4m
Data Acquisition for Our Project10m
Getting the Crop Data5m
Module 1 Summary1m
3 readings
Getting Started in this Course10m
Tutorial Assignment 1: Generating Streamlines from Elevation Models10m
Extra Practice: Use Geoprocessing Tools on New Data10m
1 practice exercise
Lesson 1: Geospatial Analysis14m
Week
24 hours to complete
Rasters and Surfaces
In this second module, we're going to cover raster data in depth and how to create 3-dimensional surfaces from our rasters. After completing this module you should be able to: describe different raster data formats and how they're used, use comparison and swipe tools, resample and retroject rasters, describe how fishnets and Thiessen polygons are used, create TINs, and convert your rasters to 3D data using ArcScene. In addition, you will continue your geospatial analysis project as you begin to plan your approach.
18 videos (Total 164 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
18 videos
Raster Data Formats13m
Raster Display Options10m
Comparison/Swipe Tools7m
Resampling and Cell Assignment10m
Reprojecting Rasters10m
Clipping Rasters and Extract by Mask9m
Raster Mosaics12m
Surfaces and Interpolation5m
Rasters as 3D Data6m
Thiessen Polygons and Fishnets5m
TINs4m
TINs in Action12m
Z Values and 3D Data10m
3D Scenes9m
Setting Up the Data, Part 112m
Setting Up the Data, Part 218m
Module 2 Summary2m
2 readings
Tutorial Assignment 2: Creating and Assessing DEMs from Points and Raster Data10m
Extra Practice 2: Working with New Tools10m
2 practice exercises
Lesson 3: Working with Rasters14m
Lesson 4: Surfaces and the Third Dimension12m
Week
32 hours to complete
Classifying and Viewing Data
In this third module, we're going to start off with talking all about projections. If you've taking the specialization with us, you may recall that we discussed this in the first course, but this will be an in-depth, more technical overview of projections and coordinate systems. In the second half of the module we'll learn about environment variables. By the end of this module, you will be able to describe coordinate systems, projected coordinate systems, compare the pros and cons of different projections, and define what environment variables are and what they are used for. You will also have the opportunity to actually begin to analyze your data in the course project.
13 videos (Total 107 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
13 videos
Overview of Projections and Coordinate Systems4m
Datums7m
Geographic Coordinate Systems3m
Preserving Properties of Data with Projections12m
Common Projected Coordinate Systems6m
Projections in Action10m
What are Environment Variables?8m
Output Coordinate System Environment Variable9m
Extent Environment Variable10m
Cell Size, Mask, and Snap Raster Environment Settings12m
Project Data Analysis18m
Module 3 Summary1m
1 reading
Tutorial Assignment 3: Spawning Redds and Timber Harvests - A Watershed-based Analysis10m
2 practice exercises
Lesson 6: Projections and Coordinate Systems12m
Lesson 7: Environment Variables8m
Week
43 hours to complete
Working Through a Project
In the final module of this course, we're going to devote some time to discussing symbology. We've talked about symbology use a little bit in some of the other courses of the specialization, but this module provides a much more in-depth look at symbology use in ArcGIS. After viewing the videos in this module, you'll be able to design color ramps for your data, bin or classify your data appropriately, stretch raster boundaries, and copy and reuse symbology on multiple layers. Finally, we'll wrap up the geospatial analysis project before you begin work on the final (peer-reviewed) assignment for this course.
8 videos (Total 67 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
8 videos
Color Ramps11m
Binning/Classifying Data11m
Stretching Rasters9m
Copying Symbology11m
Project Data Analysis and Wrapup18m
Module 4 Summary38s
Course Summary2m
1 reading
Extra Practice: Maplex Labeling10m
1 practice exercise
Lesson 9: Symbology8m
4.8
124 Reviews54%
started a new career after completing these courses
45%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
I enjoyed this part most of the three courses in the GIS specialization that I have earned certificates. Thanks to Dr. Nick Santos for his interactive teaching, assignments and projects.
What I liked most about the course is the gradual progression is so great! Great deal of efforts invested for making this course so awesome. I had a great time leaning.
Instructor
Nick Santos
Geospatial Applications ResearcherCenter for Watershed Sciences
About University of California, Davis
UC Davis, one of the nation’s top-ranked research universities, is a global leader in agriculture, veterinary medicine, sustainability, environmental and biological sciences, and technology. With four colleges and six professional schools, UC Davis and its students and alumni are known for their academic excellence, meaningful public service and profound international impact.
About the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization
Knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an increasingly sought after skill in industries from agriculture to public health. This Specialization, offered in partnership with ArcGIS developer Esri, will teach the skills you need to successfully use GIS software in a professional setting. You will learn how to analyze your spatial data, use cartography techniques to communicate your results in maps, and collaborate with peers in GIS and GIS-dependent fields. In the final Capstone Project, you will create a professional-quality GIS portfolio piece using a combination of data identification and collection, analytical map development, and spatial analysis techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. 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.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
What prior experience do I need to take this course?
You should have some experience in GIS before taking this course - it's not for absolute beginners. This is the third course in the Geographic Information Systems specialization, and you should have taken the first two courses in the specialization, "Fundamentals of GIS" and "GIS Data Formats, Design, and Quality", here on Coursera before enrolling in this course, or have equivalent experience. If you're not sure if you have equivalent experience, you can audit those courses for free to look through the materials and fill in any gaps. Search for them by name on the site to find them.
Since all of the courses in the specialization run monthly, you won't miss out on this course by enrolling in those courses first. This course will have a new session once you have the skills needed to take it.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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