STIA 4234: Intro to GIS & Spatial Data Analysis

Introduction to GIS and Spatial Data Analysis covers the fundamental concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), a growing field with applications touching on climate and environmental science, urban studies, and human interactions with the natural and built environment.

This course will introduce students to key concepts of cartography and GIS, as well as practical skills in spatial data analysis. Students will learn to use open source QGIS software to import and explore spatial datasets, display spatial trends and patterns, and carry out analyses relating multiple datasets to answer questions on spatial relationships. During this course, students will gain technical skills with QGIS software, greater confidence in navigating varied spatial analysis tools to perform valid and thoughtful spatial data analysis, and an improved ability to critically evaluate maps encountered in published media.

Topics covered in this course include: – Basic geographic and cartographic principles, as well as relevant computer science topics – The use of GIS software for displaying and analyzing data – Spatial data types, including vector and raster data, and sources for downloading common datasets – Identification of key variables whose spatial variation captures information of interest – Analysis methods, including georeferencing, spatial interpolation, and spatial statistics – Techniques for creating effective, clearly understandable maps.