Applied Remote Sensing and GIS from edX

This course enables students to solve real-world problems using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. Students will acquire skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis. They will work with elevation data and point coordinates in a GIS environment and learn how to assess data accuracy in GIS.

The course includes the following modules:

Module 0: Course introduction
Module 1: GIS Foundations
Module 2: Introduction to Elevation Data and its Applications
Module 3: Geospatial Data Accuracy and Precision in the Context of GIS Analysis

Learners on the verified track will get hands-on experiences with working with raster and point-based data in ArcGIS Pro. Exercises in data analysis and data processing exercises, in which class participants will measure shape, size, and height from images, analyze multispectral reflectance signatures, assess height information derived with stereo techniques, and analyze SAR and hyperspectral data. Learners who select the verified track will also have access to computational labs and tutorials using ArcGIS Pro.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Participants in this course will develop the following skills:
Intuitive understanding of using elevation (and other raster data) in gis systems
Understanding of the main applications of elevation data
Introductory understanding of gnss data and their propoerties

Understanding of general data quality metrics
Insights into gnss error sources and how to mitigate these error sources
Applications of point-wise gnss data in gis

Participants in this course will develop the following skills:
Intuitive understanding of using elevation (and other raster data) in gis systems
Understanding of the main applications of elevation data
Introductory understanding of gnss data and their propoerties
Understanding of general data quality metrics
Insights into gnss error sources and how to mitigate these error sources
Applications of point-wise gnss data in gis

Syllabus

Weeks 1 & 2: Introduction to the Course and Working with Elevation Data

This part of the course will introduce you to the main content and structure of this course by discussing the use of elevation data in GIS:

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what should give you pause

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Provides hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro, which is a widely used software in the field of geospatial analysis and remote sensing

Develops skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, which are fundamental for solving real-world problems using GIS and remote sensing

Explores GNSS data acquisition and error mitigation, which are crucial for ensuring data accuracy in GIS projects and analyses

Requires access to ArcGIS Pro for the verified track, which may require a subscription or license fee for learners who do not already have access

Focuses on elevation data and its applications, which is highly relevant for various fields such as hydrology, geomorphology, and urban planning

Examines geospatial data accuracy and precision, which are essential for ensuring the reliability and validity of GIS analysis results

Reviews summary

Applied gis with elevation and gnss

According to students, this course provides a solid introduction to using elevation and GNSS data within a GIS environment. Learners appreciate the practical focus and how the content helps solve real-world problems. The verified track labs using ArcGIS Pro are highlighted as particularly useful and hands-on, although the requirement for the specific software license is noted as a potential barrier for some. While suitable for those relatively new to these specific data types, some more experienced learners found certain sections potentially basic. Overall, students generally report a positive learning experience, especially for those seeking skills in these specialized GIS areas.

Good foundation, maybe basic for some.

"This course is great if you're relatively new to GIS or these specific data types, offering a solid foundation."

"Found some parts a bit too basic, expected more advanced techniques and optimization methods."

"The pace was just right for me, covering complex ideas clearly without rushing."

"Provides a good overview, but don't expect deep dives into highly advanced topics."

Hands-on practice requires specific software.

"The ArcGIS Pro labs were incredibly useful and hands-on, really solidified the concepts."

"Couldn't do the verified track labs without the paid ArcGIS Pro software license, which was a significant barrier."

"Wish there were alternative software options or labs provided for the audit track participants."

"The practical exercises in ArcGIS Pro are the strongest part for applying what you learn."

Skills are directly applicable to real tasks.

"I can immediately apply what I learned about elevation data analysis at work."

"The examples used throughout the course were very practical and relevant to real-world scenarios."

"Feel much more confident tackling real GIS tasks involving elevation and GNSS data after this course."

"Provides practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."

Covers elevation and GNSS data in depth.

"The focus on elevation and GNSS data was exactly what I needed for my job and research."

"Really appreciate the detailed look at using elevation data and common pitfalls in GIS projects."

"Learned a lot about GNSS error sources and practical mitigation techniques from this course."

"Excellent coverage of specific data types like elevation and GNSS, which are crucial in applied GIS."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Applied Remote Sensing and GIS with these activities:

Review GIS Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental GIS concepts to better grasp the advanced topics covered in the course.

Browse courses on Geographic Information Systems

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Review basic GIS principles and terminology.
Practice basic spatial analysis techniques.
Familiarize yourself with common GIS software interfaces.

Brush Up on Remote Sensing Principles

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Revisit the core concepts of remote sensing to prepare for the course's focus on applying these techniques in GIS.

Browse courses on Remote Sensing

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Review the electromagnetic spectrum and its interaction with different surfaces.
Study different types of remote sensing sensors and their applications.
Practice interpreting satellite and aerial imagery.

Read 'GIS for Science: Applying Mapping and Spatial Analysis'

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Supplement your understanding of GIS principles with a comprehensive book that covers a wide range of applications.

View Arc Marine: GIS for a Blue Planet on Amazon

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Read the introductory chapters on GIS fundamentals.
Explore case studies relevant to remote sensing and environmental analysis.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.

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Practice ArcGIS Pro Tutorials

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Enhance your proficiency with ArcGIS Pro by working through practical tutorials that cover data management, analysis, and visualization.

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Download and install ArcGIS Pro (if you have access).
Complete tutorials on data import and georeferencing.
Practice spatial analysis techniques like buffering and overlay analysis.
Create maps and visualizations to present your findings.

Read 'Introduction to Remote Sensing, Sixth Edition'

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Deepen your understanding of remote sensing principles with a widely used textbook that covers a wide range of topics.

View Introduction to Remote Sensing, Fifth Edition on Amazon

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Read the chapters on electromagnetic radiation and sensor systems.
Explore the sections on image processing and analysis.
Review case studies relevant to your interests.

Create a GIS Data Visualization

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Solidify your understanding of GIS data and visualization techniques by creating a compelling visual representation of geospatial data.

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Select a relevant dataset (e.g., elevation data, land cover data).
Import the data into ArcGIS Pro.
Apply appropriate symbology and labeling.
Design a map layout that effectively communicates the data's story.
Write a short description of the data and your visualization choices.

Analyze GNSS Data Accuracy

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Apply your knowledge of GNSS data and error sources to assess the accuracy of GNSS data in a GIS environment.

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Acquire a GNSS dataset (either from your own collection or a public source).
Import the data into ArcGIS Pro.
Compare the GNSS data to a higher-accuracy reference dataset (if available).
Calculate error metrics (e.g., RMSE) to quantify the accuracy of the GNSS data.
Write a report summarizing your findings and discussing potential error sources.

Career center

Learners who complete Applied Remote Sensing and GIS will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

GIS Technician

A GIS Technician is responsible for maintaining and updating GIS databases, creating maps, and performing spatial analysis. This course helps prepare you for this role by providing robust training in data management, vector and raster analysis, and working with elevation data. The hands-on exercises with ArcGIS Pro allows learners to gain practical skills in data analysis and processing, essential for the tasks of a GIS Technician. Furthermore, an understanding of data accuracy and precision, as covered in the course, helps a GIS Technician ensure the reliability of their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for GIS Technician

Geospatial Analyst

A Geospatial Analyst leverages Geographical Information Systems and remote sensing data to create maps and analyze spatial information. If you are interested in this career, this course allows you to solve real-world problems using these tools. You'll gain skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, all essential for a successful Geospatial Analyst. The hands-on experience with raster and point-based data in ArcGIS Pro, offered in the verified track, builds a strong foundation for working with geospatial data. Furthermore, the course covers data accuracy assessment, as well as elevation datasets, crucial aspects of geospatial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geospatial Analyst

Geographer

A Geographer studies the Earth's surface, its diverse environments, and the interactions between people and their surroundings. The course enables students to solve real-world problems using GIS, a core tool for modern geographical analysis. Students will acquire skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, all essential skills for a Geographer. The understanding of geospatial data accuracy gained in this course enables Geographers to ensure the quality and reliability of their research. This is especially important when looking for a career as a Geographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographer

Conservation Planner

Conservation Planners develop strategies to protect and manage natural habitats, using GIS to map and analyze ecological data. This course allows students to solve real-world problems using GIS, which is essential for conservation planning. They will acquire skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, crucial for a successful Conservation Planner. The hands-on experience with raster and point-based data in ArcGIS Pro, offered in the verified track, builds a strong foundation for working with ecological data. The ability to assess data accuracy in GIS ensures the reliability of conservation plans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Conservation Planner

Remote Sensing Specialist

The Remote Sensing Specialist uses remotely sensed data, often from satellites or aircraft, to analyze and interpret Earth's surface. This course emphasizes data management, vector and raster analysis, and working with elevation data, all crucial for a Remote Sensing Specialist. The focus on assessing data accuracy ensures the specialist can produce reliable and high-quality analyses. This course may be useful, as you will learn to work with data and images, analyze reflectance signatures, and assess height information using stereo techniques, which directly translates into the tasks of a Remote Sensing Specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Remote Sensing Specialist

Hydrologist

Hydrologists study the distribution, circulation, and properties of water, often using GIS to model watersheds and analyze water resources. The course helps you solve real-world problems using GIS, which is the most essential skill for Hydrologists. You'll acquire skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, all essential for becoming a Hydrologist. The hands-on experience with raster and point based data in ArcGIS Pro, offered in the verified track, provides a strong foundation for working with hydrological data. The course will allow you to measure shape, size, and height from images.

See salaries and explore the career path for Hydrologist

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts examine and interpret climate data to understand and predict the impact of climate change. The course enables data management, vector, and raster analysis, all essential to a Climate Change Analyst. The hands-on experience with raster and point based data in ArcGIS Pro, offered in the verified track, provides a strong foundation for climate change modeling. The course will allow you to measure shape, size, and height from images, which will prove useful when processing the huge amounts of data involved in climate studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Surveyor

Surveyors measure and map land, airspaces, and bodies of water, often using GNSS technology. This course covers an introduction to GNSS data acquisition and error sources, which directly relates to the work of a Surveyor. The module on point-based GIS data and GIS accuracy considerations, with a GNSS case study, is particularly relevant. This course may be useful as it covers how to pick the right GNSS equipment for your application and how to mitigate GNSS error sources, enabling a Surveyor to improve their measurements and accuracy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Surveyor

Cartographer

Cartographers design and create maps using various data sources and GIS software. This course helps cartographers by providing a solid foundation in GIS fundamentals, including data management, vector and raster analysis, and working with elevation data. The understanding of geospatial data accuracy gained in this course enables cartographers to ensure the precision and reliability of their maps. The hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro, offered in the verified track, may be particularly useful as it provides practical skills in map creation and data visualization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cartographer

GIS Developer

A GIS Developer creates and maintains GIS software applications, requiring deep understanding of geospatial data and GIS principles. This course provides a foundation in GIS principles, data management, and spatial analysis, which are essential for a GIS Developer. The understanding of geospatial data accuracy gained in this course enables GIS Developers to ensure the quality and reliability of their applications. The hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro may be useful as it provides practical skills in working with GIS software and data.

See salaries and explore the career path for GIS Developer

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study and analyze environmental problems, often using GIS to map environmental data and assess impacts. This course may be useful as it provides learners with skills in data management, vector, and raster analysis, which are essential for understanding and analyzing environmental datasets. The ability to assess data accuracy in GIS, emphasized in the course, helps Environmental Scientists ensure the reliability of their environmental assessments. Furthermore, the skills of working with elevation models will prove useful in landscape studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans and programs for land use and development in urban areas, often relying on GIS for data analysis and visualization. This course may be useful as it provides a strong grounding in GIS foundations, data management, and spatial analysis techniques. The course's focus on elevation data and its applications provides valuable insights into terrain analysis and infrastructure planning. Urban Planners wishing to incorporate data analysis into their work should consider this course.

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Natural Resource Manager

Natural Resource Managers oversee the use and conservation of natural resources, often using GIS for mapping and analysis. This course provides insights into GIS foundations, data management, and spatial analysis, all relevant to the decisions faced by a Natural Resource Manager. The focus on elevation data and its applications provides a better understanding of terrain and hydrology, valuable for resource management. This course may be useful to natural resource managers wishing to better understand GIS data.

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Disaster Response Coordinator

Disaster Response Coordinators plan and coordinate responses to natural disasters and emergencies, frequently relying on GIS for mapping and damage assessment. A grounding in GIS foundations, data management, and spatial analysis helps those who wish to become Disaster Response Coordinators. The ability to assess data accuracy, covered in the course, ensures the reliability of disaster assessments. This course may be useful to those who wish to incorporate GIS skills into their disaster response practices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disaster Response Coordinator

Agricultural Scientist

Agricultural Scientists conduct research and develop methods to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability, often using GIS for precision agriculture. This course may be useful to those scientists, providing robust training in data management, vector and raster analysis, and the ability to assess data accuracy. The hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro will be beneficial as it will aid in data analysis and processing, crucial for analyzing crop yields, soil conditions, and irrigation patterns. The verified track of the course also offers access to tutorials, which would be very useful in data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural Scientist

Reading list

We've selected two 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 Applied Remote Sensing and GIS.

Introduction to Remote Sensing, Fifth Edition

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Widely used textbook that provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and techniques of remote sensing. It covers a wide range of topics, including electromagnetic radiation, sensor systems, image processing, and applications of remote sensing. It valuable resource for understanding the theoretical foundations of remote sensing and how it can be used to solve real-world problems. This book adds depth to the course by providing a more detailed explanation of remote sensing principles.

Introduction to Remote Sensing, Fifth Edition

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Introduction to Remote Sensing, Fifth Edition

Kindle Edition

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Arc Marine

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Provides a comprehensive overview of GIS principles and their application in scientific research. It covers a wide range of topics, including data acquisition, spatial analysis, and visualization. It useful reference for understanding the theoretical foundations of GIS and how they can be applied to solve real-world problems. This book adds breadth to the course by providing a wider range of applications.

Arc Marine: GIS for a Blue Planet

Paperback

Applied Remote Sensing and GIS

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Applied gis with elevation and gnss

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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