Launch your career in mapping and GIS!. Learn the concepts, tools, and techniques to make great maps that answer geographic questions.

4.9

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2,089 ratings

Don Boyes

Top Instructor

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GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis SpecializationUniversity of Toronto

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

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This Specialization is for those new to mapping and GIS, as well as anyone looking to gain a better understanding of how it all works and why. You will learn practical skills that can be applied to your own work using cutting-edge software created by Esri Inc., the world's leading GIS company and our industry partner. PLEASE NOTE: THE SOFTWARE IS NO LONGER PROVIDED WITH THIS COURSE. YOU WILL HAVE TO OBTAIN IT ON YOUR OWN.

Applied Learning Project

The courses are based on the idea that you will get the most out of the learning experience if you can tailor your work to your own interests. You will learn how to create GIS data, how to find and evaluate data found online, how to design an effective map, and how to filter data and analyze spatial relationships, and how to work with satellite imagery. In the capstone course, you will apply everything you have learned by either building a portfolio of your work through "mini projects" or planning and executing one large project. Your capstone work will then be presented in a web-based story map that you can share with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 6 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online courses

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible Schedule

Set and maintain flexible deadlines.

Beginner Level

Approximately 6 months to complete

Suggested pace of 2 hours/week

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

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How the Specialization Works

Take Courses

A Coursera Specialization is a series of courses that helps you master a skill. To begin, enroll in the Specialization directly, or review its courses and choose the one you'd like to start with. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. It’s okay to complete just one course — you can pause your learning or end your subscription at any time. Visit your learner dashboard to track your course enrollments and your progress.

Hands-on Project

Every Specialization includes a hands-on project. You'll need to successfully finish the project(s) to complete the Specialization and earn your certificate. If the Specialization includes a separate course for the hands-on project, you'll need to finish each of the other courses before you can start it.

Earn a Certificate

When you finish every course and complete the hands-on project, you'll earn a Certificate that you can share with prospective employers and your professional network.

There are 4 Courses in this Specialization

Course1

Course 1

Introduction to GIS Mapping

4.9

stars

1,940 ratings

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)

Course2

Course 2

GIS Data Acquisition and Map Design

4.9

stars

605 ratings

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.

Course3

Course 3

Spatial Analysis and Satellite Imagery in a GIS

4.9

stars

513 ratings

In this course, you will learn how to analyze map data using different data types and methods to answer geographic questions. First, you will learn how to filter a data set using different types of queries to find just the data you need to answer a particular question. Then, we will discuss simple yet powerful analysis methods that use vector data to find spatial relationships within and between data sets. In this section, you will also learn about how to use ModelBuilder, a simple but powerful tool for building analysis flowcharts that can then also be run as models. You will then learn how to find, understand, and use remotely sensed data such as satellite imagery, as a rich source of GIS data. You will then learn how to analyze raster data. Finally, you will complete your own project where you get to try out the new skills and tools you have learned about in this course.

Course4

Course 4

GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Capstone

4.9

stars

265 ratings

In this capstone course, you will apply everything you have learned by designing and then completing your own GIS project. You will plan out your project by writing a brief proposal that explains what you plan to do and why. You will then find data for a topic and location of your choice, and perform analysis and create maps that allow you to try out different tools and data sets. The results of your work will be assembled into an Esri story map, which is a web site with maps, images, text, and video. The goal is for you to have a finished product that you can share, and that demonstrates what you have learned.

Instructor

Don Boyes
Top Instructor

Professor, Teaching Stream

Geography and Planning

78,598 Learners

4 Courses

Offered by

University of Toronto

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the refund policy?
If you subscribed, you get a 7-day free trial during which you can cancel at no penalty. After that, we don’t give refunds, but you can cancel your subscription at any time. See our full refund policy.
Can I just enroll in a single course?
Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate, or you can audit it to view the course materials for free. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
Can I take the course for free?
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. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.
Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?
This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.
What GIS software do I need?
You will need ArcGIS Desktop to complete the course projects, as well as ArcGIS Online for the capstone project. Please note that software is not provided. Student licenses can be purchased here: https://www.esri.com/en-ca/store/arcgis-student-use
How long does it take to complete the Specialization?
The Specialization can be completed in 24 weeks, although students may work at their own pace and finish in more or less time.
What background knowledge is necessary?
No prior knowledge is necessary to successfully complete the Specialization.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
It is recommended that you take the courses in the order listed in the Specialization. The courses build on each other, as they each introduce practical skills that require a certain level of conceptual understanding, and you will get the most out of the courses if you do them in order.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?
No, the courses and Specialization will not count for university credit.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
You will understand the fundamental concepts of basic cartography and spatial analysis using a geographic information system (GIS), and be able to apply them using GIS software.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

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GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Specialization

Skills you will gain

About this Specialization

Applied Learning Project