About this course: In this course, the second in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization, you will go in-depth with common data types (such as raster and vector data), structures, quality and storage during four week-long modules: Week 1: Learn about data models and formats, including a full understanding of vector data and raster concepts. You will also learn about the implications of a data’s scale and how to load layers from web services. Week 2: Create a vector data model by using vector attribute tables, writing query strings, defining queries, and adding and calculating fields. You'll also learn how to create new data through the process of digitizing and you'll use the built-in Editor tools in ArcGIS. Week 3: Learn about common data storage mechanisms within GIS, including geodatabases and shapefiles. Learn how to choose between them for your projects and how to optimize them for speed and size. You'll also work with rasters for the first time, using digital elevation models and creating slope and distance analysis products. Week 4: Explore datasets and assess them for quality and uncertainty. You will also learn how to bring your maps and data to the Internet and create web maps quickly with ArcGIS Online. Take GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality as a standalone course or as part of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization. You should have equivalent experience to completing the first course in this specialization, Fundamentals of GIS, before taking this course. By completing the second class in the Specialization you will gain the skills needed to succeed in the full program.
Created by: University of California, Davis
Taught by: Nick Santos, Geospatial Applications Researcher
Center for Watershed Sciences
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 5 in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization |
| Level | Intermediate |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| Hardware Req | Windows computer capable of running ArcGIS 10.3 or above - license provided in previous course |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Course Overview & Data Models and Formats
This first module covers major concepts in vector and raster data models, scale, designing data tables, using vector attribute tables, and separating and joining data in order to use it more effectively in a relational database.
14 videos, 4 readings
- Video: Course Overview
- Video: Module 1 Overview
- Reading: Getting Started in this Course
- Video: Vector Data Concepts
- Video: Vector Data in Action
- Video: Raster Data Concepts
- Video: Rasters in Action
- Video: Scale and Implications
- Video: Managing Data in the Catalog Window
- Video: Data Design: Attribute Types
- Video: Using Vector Attribute Tables
- Video: Data Design: Joins and Relates
- Video: Data Design: Separating Data, Part 1
- Video: Data Design: Separating Data, Part 2
- Video: Module 1 Summary
- Reading: Getting a license
- Reading: Tutorial Assignment 1: Data Structures and Personal Geodatabases
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion - Tutorial 1: Data Structures and Geodatabases
- Reading: Extra Practice for Lessons 1 and 2
Graded: Lesson 1 Quiz: Rasters and Vectors
Graded: Lesson 2 Quiz: Data Design
WEEK 2
Creating and Working with Vector Data
This module is all about working with vector data. We'll review geoprocessing and introduce the intersect tool. This module also covers writing query strings to subset data, adding and calculating fields, configuring selections, editing and creating feature classes, and everything you need to know about digitizing data.
14 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Module 2 Overview
- Video: Working with Geoprocessing Tools
- Video: Intersect Tool
- Video: Writing Query Strings
- Video: Writing Query Strings: Boolean Operators
- Video: Adding and Calculating Fields
- Video: Interactive Selection
- Video: Using and Configuring Selections in ArcGIS
- Video: Editing Existing Data
- Video: Data Design: Creating New Feature Classes
- Video: Basic Digitizing
- Video: Workflow: Preparing Data
- Video: Workflow: Making Point Data from Coordinates
- Video: Module 2 Summary
- Reading: Tutorial Assignment 2: Editing Data
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion - Tutorial 2: Editing Data
- Reading: Extra Practice for Lessons 3 and 4
Graded: Lesson 3 Quiz: Processing and Geoprocessing
Graded: Lesson 4 Quiz: Creating and Editing Data
WEEK 3
Storage Formats and Working with Rasters
This module covers choosing data storage formats for particular purposes as well as tools for working with rasters. In the first lesson, we'll discuss geodatabase design and go over considerations for file geodatabases, personal geodatabases, shapefiles, and SQLite databases. The second lesson covers creating and working with raster data. We'll talk about spatial analysis, georeferencing rasters, raster calculator, and using zonal statistics.
13 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Module 3 Overview
- Video: Geodatabase Features and Design
- Video: File Geodatabases
- Video: Personal Geodatabases
- Video: Shapefiles
- Video: Workflow: Percent Overlap
- Video: Supplemental: Intro to SQLite Databases
- Video: Overview of Spatial Analyst
- Video: Georeferencing Rasters
- Video: Raster Calculator
- Video: Workflow: Zonal Statistics as Table
- Video: Workflow: Managing Data with Zonal Statistics and Join Field
- Video: Module 3 Summary
- Reading: Tutorial Assignment 3: A Suitability Analysis: Spatial Analyst, Raster Data, and DEMs
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion - Tutorial 3: Spatial Analyst, Raster Data, and DEMs
- Reading: Extra Practice for Lessons 5 and 6
Graded: Lesson 5 Quiz: Data Storage
Graded: Lesson 6 Quiz: Creating Raster Data
WEEK 4
Data Quality and Creating Web Maps
The first half of this module goes over uncertainty and data quality, including a lecture on topology, which affects data relationships in your vector feature classes. In Lesson 8, guest lecturer Megan Nguyen will talk all about using ArcGIS Online, including sharing our maps with our colleagues.
10 videos, 2 readings
- Video: Module 4 Overview
- Video: Assessing Data Quality and Uncertainty
- Video: Data Quality, Part 2: Measurement and Representation
- Video: Topology
- Video: Loading Layers in ArcGIS Online
- Video: Applying Symbology in ArcGIS Online
- Video: Map Annotations and Scaling in ArcGIS Online
- Video: Saving and Sharing Maps with ArcGIS Online
- Video: Module 4 Summary
- Reading: Short Tutorial: Exporting Shapefiles and Uploading them to Web Maps
- Reading: Extra Practice for Lessons 7 and 8
- Discussion Prompt: Discussion: Moving Valmeyer
- Video: Course Summary
Graded: Lesson 7 Quiz: Uncertainty and Quality
Graded: Lesson 8 Quiz: ArcGIS Online
Graded: Moving Valmeyer
Graded: Moving Valmeyer Final Quiz
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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.
Pricing
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Ratings and Reviews
A bit more advanced than the first course in the specialization and really interesting! The final assignment allowed for a good understanding of the spatial analyst tools and the reasons behind using them.
It wonderful completing this course as it broaden my GIS knowledge and give me the opportunity to do more.
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