March 29, 2024
Updated May 12, 2025
17 minute read
A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst is a professional who works with spatial data, using specialized software to create maps, analyze geographic patterns, and provide insights for decision-making. Think of them as digital-age cartographers, blending data analysis, programming, and map-making skills to turn raw geographic information into understandable and actionable intelligence. This data can range from satellite imagery and aerial photographs to land surveys and GPS coordinates. GIS Analysts play a crucial role in various industries, helping organizations understand how geography impacts their operations and the world around them.
Working as a GIS Analyst can be an engaging and exciting career path. The field is constantly evolving with new technologies, meaning there's always something new to learn and apply. Many analysts enjoy the daily challenge of solving complex spatial problems and the ability to see the tangible results of their work in the form of maps and data-driven solutions. Whether it's helping to plan new city infrastructure, tracking environmental changes, or optimizing delivery routes, GIS Analysts contribute to a wide array of important projects. The combination of technical skill, analytical thinking, and creative problem-solving makes this a dynamic and rewarding profession.
Introduction to GIS Technology
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GIS Analyst:
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Reading list
We've selected some books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
GIS Analyst.
Comprehensive guide to OpenLayers development. It covers topics such as map creation, layer management, data visualization, and event handling. This book is recommended for developers who want to become experts in OpenLayers.
Provides a comprehensive overview of GIS, covering its history, concepts, applications, and future directions. It is suitable for those who want to gain a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations and practical applications of GIS.
This workbook is designed for both classroom use and independent study, providing a comprehensive introduction to QGIS 3.x. It covers basic GIS concepts, spatial analysis, data management, and cartographic design through hands-on exercises. is highly valuable for beginners and those transitioning from other GIS software, serving as a practical guide to solidify fundamental QGIS skills. It is commonly used as a textbook in academic settings.
Is widely used as an introductory textbook for GIS. It provides a solid foundation in GIS concepts and theory, making it excellent for gaining a broad understanding. It's suitable for high school and undergraduate students, and a good review for others. The book balances concepts with practical applications and exercises.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles of GIS, covering topics such as data models, spatial analysis, and visualization. It is suitable for those who want to gain a solid understanding of the theoretical foundations of GIS.
This workbook is designed for hands-on learning using ArcGIS Pro, a widely used commercial GIS software. It's excellent for beginners and those transitioning to ArcGIS Pro, providing step-by-step exercises to build practical skills. It is commonly used in classrooms and for self-learning.
This comprehensive text covers both the science and systems aspects of GIS. It's a valuable resource for gaining a deep understanding of the underlying principles and technologies. Suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals, it serves as both a textbook and a reference.
Provides a solid introduction to QGIS, covering the interface, working with vector and raster data, using plugins, the Processing Toolbox, georeferencing, and creating maps. It's an excellent resource for beginners to gain a broad understanding of QGIS capabilities. The book includes data to follow along with chapters and is useful for self-study.
Provides a comprehensive guide to Python scripting in ArcGIS, covering topics such as data manipulation, geoprocessing, and automation. It is suitable for those who want to enhance their GIS skills with Python.
This cookbook provides recipes for automating geoprocessing tasks in QGIS using Python. It's ideal for users with programming experience who want to extend QGIS functionality and create custom workflows. It's a valuable reference for anyone interested in the Python API for QGIS.
Analyzes GIS from a computer science perspective, providing an in-depth look at the underlying computational concepts. The third edition includes contemporary topics like GeoAI, graph databases, and decentralized computing, making it highly relevant for advanced students and researchers interested in the technical aspects of GIS.
Is an in-depth guide for becoming proficient in spatial data analysis using QGIS 3.x with Python. It's aimed at users who want to master geospatial development and utilize the full potential of QGIS through scripting and advanced techniques.
Provides a comprehensive overview of spatial analysis techniques used in GIS. It's suitable for those looking to deepen their understanding of how to analyze spatial data. It can serve as a reference for students and professionals involved in spatial analysis.
This guide provides a step-by-step approach to getting started with QGIS, covering loading data, creating data, styling, and making maps. It's a good resource for absolute beginners to quickly gain confidence with the software interface and basic functions.
Covers the use of R for spatial data analysis in ecology and agriculture, providing a comprehensive overview of R packages and techniques for data manipulation, visualization, and modeling. It is suitable for those who want to explore the use of R in GIS for ecological and agricultural applications.
Focused on hydrological applications, this book provides practical recipes for using QGIS in catchment hydrology and water management. It's valuable for students and professionals in environmental science and hydrology, offering domain-specific QGIS skills and workflows. It includes exercises and links to video materials for enhanced learning.
This is the first volume in a series focusing on GIS analysis techniques using Esri software, which is widely used in the industry. It's practical and application-oriented, making it valuable for students and professionals who want to learn how to perform spatial analysis.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the ArcGIS Desktop platform, covering its core concepts, tools, and applications. It is suitable for beginners who want to gain a solid foundation in GIS.
This guide is specifically for those who want to program with QGIS using Python (PyQGIS). It covers understanding the QGIS API, writing scripts, and building plugins. It's a technical book best suited for users with Python experience looking to customize and extend QGIS.
Focuses on spatial data science using the R programming language, which is popular for statistical analysis. It's relevant for those interested in the intersection of GIS, statistics, and data science, particularly at the graduate level and for researchers. It explains core spatial software packages in R.
Teaches geospatial analysis using Python, a widely used programming language in GIS. It's practical and aimed at users who want to automate GIS tasks and perform more advanced analyses through scripting. Relevant for undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals.
This accessible text introduces fundamental geographic and cartographic concepts relevant to GIS. It's suitable for students new to the field and provides a strong theoretical background. The second edition includes new material on web applications and Big Data.
This guide focuses on using QGIS for working with satellite imagery and remote sensing data. It's particularly relevant for courses involving remote sensing and environmental monitoring, demonstrating how to process and analyze satellite data within QGIS.
Showcases real-world applications of GIS and spatial analytics in various scientific disciplines. It provides inspiring examples of how GIS is used to address pressing global issues, making it relevant for students and professionals interested in the practical impact of GIS.
Provides a comprehensive overview of GIS technology, covering its components, functions, and applications. It is suitable for those who want to gain a general understanding of how GIS works and how it can be used in various fields.
Offers a very accessible introduction to GIS concepts for beginners. It's ideal for high school students or those with no prior exposure to GIS who want to gain a broad understanding without getting bogged down in technical jargon. It provides a good starting point before moving on to more detailed texts.
With the increasing importance of online mapping and web-based GIS, this book covers the principles and applications of Web GIS. It's relevant for students and professionals interested in sharing and disseminating geographic information online.
Aimed at intermediate and advanced users, this book delves deeper into QGIS capabilities, covering advanced data management, visualization, and spatial analysis techniques. It's a good resource for those looking to become power users and transition from proprietary GIS software. While the second edition is older, it provides a solid foundation for advanced concepts.
Is tailored for ecologists and environmental scientists, guiding them on using QGIS for creating maps for ecological surveys and reports. It's a practical guide with no jargon, focusing on the specific mapping needs of this field.
Aims to provide a complete beginner's guide to QGIS Desktop, covering the basics, working with data, styling, and creating maps. It includes a working project to help solidify understanding of fundamental GIS and cartography concepts in QGIS.
Covers the use of R for geospatial analysis, providing a comprehensive overview of R packages and techniques for data manipulation, visualization, and modeling. It is suitable for those who want to explore the use of R in GIS.
Explores geospatial analysis using a combination of R and QGIS. It's suitable for users interested in leveraging the statistical capabilities of R within a GIS workflow. It provides practical examples for real-world projects.
Provides a practical guide to spatial analysis within the context of urban planning and the built environment. It's relevant for students and professionals in these fields who need to apply GIS techniques to real-world problems. The book includes global examples and practical advice.
Focuses on geospatial analysis using Python, with practical techniques applicable to GIS and remote sensing. While not exclusively about QGIS, it's highly relevant for users who want to integrate Python scripting with QGIS for advanced analysis and automation.
Discusses the use of OpenLayers and other web technologies for sharing, visualizing, and analyzing geospatial data.
Is part of a series focusing on remote sensing applications with QGIS in specific domains. This volume is relevant for those interested in using QGIS for agricultural and forestry applications, providing domain-specific examples and workflows.
Focuses on using QGIS in conjunction with Mergin Maps for field data collection and management. It's a valuable resource for anyone involved in fieldwork and mobile data collection using QGIS.
Offers an introduction to using GIS specifically for biological research. It includes practical exercises using both ArcGIS and QGIS, making it suitable for undergraduate biology students and researchers who are new to GIS and want to apply it in their field.
Guides users through viewing, editing, and analyzing geospatial data in QGIS, including an introduction to Python scripting for QGIS. It's suitable for beginners and those looking to expand their skills beyond the basics. While slightly older, the fundamental concepts remain relevant, although newer editions or supplementary resources may be needed for the latest QGIS versions.
Aimed at experienced Python developers, this book guides the creation of geospatial applications using QGIS and Python. It's a resource for advanced users looking to build custom solutions and integrate QGIS into larger applications.
Often available as a tutorial manual from universities, this resource covers basic GIS concepts and using the QGIS interface for geographic analysis and thematic mapping. It's a good starting point for beginners and may be used in introductory GIS courses.
Provides a practical guide to using and developing OpenStreetMap, including how to contribute data, use the data in various applications, and develop applications using the OpenStreetMap API.
Focuses specifically on cartography and map design using QGIS. It's an excellent resource for users who want to create professional and visually appealing maps. It covers styling, labeling, and advanced cartographic techniques.
While not solely about QGIS, this book is highly relevant for those interested in spatial databases and integrating them with QGIS, as highlighted by the course on PostGIS and QGIS. It focuses on performing geospatial analysis using SQL, a valuable skill for advanced QGIS users working with databases.
Provides an introduction to web mapping concepts and technologies, including the use of the qgis2web plugin for QGIS. It's relevant for users interested in publishing their QGIS maps online and understanding the basics of web mapping.
Provides a comprehensive overview of OpenStreetMap, covering the history, technology, and community. It must-read for anyone who wants to learn more about OSM.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/career/5k2g6o/gis
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