University of Toronto - GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design
- Offered byCoursera
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design at Coursera Overview
Duration | 20 hours |
Start from | Start Now |
Total fee | Free |
Mode of learning | Online |
Difficulty level | Beginner |
Official Website | Explore Free Course  |
Credential | Certificate |
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design at Coursera Highlights
- 40% got a tangible career benefit from this course.
- 50% got a pay increase or promotion.
- Earn a shareable certificate upon completion.
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design at Coursera Course details
- In this course, you will learn how to find GIS data for your own projects, and how to create a well-designed map that effectively communicates your message. The first section focuses on the basic building blocks of GIS data, so that you know what types of GIS files exist, and the implications of choosing one type over another. Next, we'll discuss metadata (which is information about a data set) so you know how to evaluate a data set before you decide to use it, as well as preparing data by merging and clipping files as needed. We'll then talk about how to take non-GIS data, such as a list of addresses, and convert it into "mappable" data using geocoding. Finally, you'll learn about how to take data that you have found and design a map using cartographic principles. In the course project, you will find your own data and create your own quantitative map.
- Note: software is not provided for this course.
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design at Coursera Curriculum
GIS File Types, Data Models, and Topology
Welcome to the course!
Introduction to topology
Topology and data formats
Shapefile: simple, with no topology
Coverage: Complex, but has topology
Comparison of shapefile, coverage, and geodatabase
Building basic topology
Georelational and object-relational vector data models
PDF files of all lecture slides
GIS Software needed for this course
Week 1 Quiz
Finding data and preparing it for your project
Evaluating data using metadata
Data dictionary
The importance of metadata
Viewing and editing metadata in ArcMap
Downloading and using GIS data
Adding x,y data from a table
Clipping a feature class
Merging feature classes
Week 2 Quiz
Geocoding addresses and postal codes
What is geocoding?
Geocoding in ArcGIS Online
Geocoding postal codes
Geocoding postal codes in ArcMap
Postal codes and census data
Canadian census units
Ecological fallacy
Geocoding street addresses
Geocoding street addresses in ArcMap
Geocoding practice
Week 3 Quiz
Map Design Principles
Developing a critical eye
The map design process
Controls on map design, part 1
Controls on map design, part 2
Controls on map design, part 3
Design principles
Visual hierarchy
Figure-ground relationship
Contrast
Legibility
Visual balance
Map elements
Creating a map layout in ArcMap
Basic map design in ArcMap
Exporting a map as an image in ArcMap
Typography
Creating and customizing labels in ArcMap
Map design practice
Week 4 Quiz
Mapping Quantitative Data
Levels of measurement and mapping
Colour models: RGB
Colour models: HSV
Colour models: CMYK
Choropleth maps
Creating choropleth maps in ArcMap
Data classification for mapping
Data classification methods for mapping
Mean vs. median
Zero values on your map
Joining tables
Working with tables in ArcMap
Field calculations in tables
Practice mapping quantitative data
Week 5 Quiz
Quantitative Map Types
Dot maps
Creating dot density maps in ArcMap
Proportional symbol maps
Graduated symbol maps
Creating proportional and graduated symbol maps in ArcMap
Contour maps
Flow maps
Multivariate maps
Continue practicing with quantitative mapping
Week 6 Quiz
Project: Getting Data and Making Your Own Map
GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design at Coursera Admission Process
Important Dates
Other courses offered by Coursera
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