This course is designed to take users who use R and QGIS for basic spatial data/GIS analysis to perform more advanced GIS tasks (including automated workflows and geo-referencing) using a variety of different data. In addition to making you proficient in R and QGIS for spatial data analysis, you will be introduced to another powerful free GIS software.. GRASS.
This course takes a completely practical approach to spatial data analysis and mapping- Each lecture will teach you a practical application/processing technique which you can apply easily.
Read more
This course is designed to take users who use R and QGIS for basic spatial data/GIS analysis to perform more advanced GIS tasks (including automated workflows and geo-referencing) using a variety of different data. In addition to making you proficient in R and QGIS for spatial data analysis, you will be introduced to another powerful free GIS software.. GRASS.
This course takes a completely practical approach to spatial data analysis and mapping- Each lecture will teach you a practical application/processing technique which you can apply easily.
This course is designed to take users who use R and QGIS for basic spatial data/GIS analysis to perform more advanced GIS tasks (including automated workflows and geo-referencing) using a variety of different data. In addition to making you proficient in R and QGIS for spatial data analysis, you will be introduced to another powerful free GIS software.. GRASS.
This course takes a completely practical approach to spatial data analysis and mapping- Each lecture will teach you a practical application/processing technique which you can apply easily.
The course is taught by Minerva Singh, A PhD graduate from Cambridge University, UK, who has several years of research experience in Quantitative Ecology and an MPhil in Geography and Environment from Oxford University. Minerva has published papers in international peer reviewed journals and given talks at international conferences.
The underlying motivation for the course is to ensure you can put spatial data analysis into practice today and develop sound GIS analysis skills. You’ll be able to start analyzing spatial data for your own projects, and IMPRESS This course is different from other training resources. Each lecture seeks to enhance your GIS skills in a demonstrable and tangible manner and provide you with practically implementable GIS solutions.
This is an intermediate course in spatial data analysis, i.e. we will build on on basic spatial data analysis tasks (such as those covered in the beginner version course: Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS) and teach users how to practically implement more complex GIS tasks such as interpolation, mapping spatial data, geo-referencing and detailed vector processing. Additionally you will be introduced to preliminary geo-statistics and mapping/visualizing spatial data.
This course covers complex GIS techniques, and by completing this course, you will be implementing these
It is a practical, hands-on course, i.e. we will spend a tiny amount of time dealing with some of the theoretical concepts pertaining to the different spatial data analysis techniques demonstrated in the course. However, majority of the course will focus on working with real spatial data from different sources. After each video you will learn how to practically implement a new concept or technique in the different softwares used for the course.
During the course of my research I have discovered that R is a powerful tool for collating and analyzing spatial data acquired from different sources. Proficiency in spatial data analysis in R and QGIS has helped me publish more peer reviewed papers faster. Feel free to check out my profile on ResearchGate.
You will also have access to future lectures, resources and R code files. Enroll in the course today & take advantage of this special bonus.
I don’t have to remind you that we have a RISK- Take action now.
Here's a deal for you
UDEAFNULP2024
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Carry out the most common spatial data analysis and gis tasks using free software tools
- Perform advanced spatial data analysis and mapping using both r and qgis
- Develop robust map-making skills including harnessing the power of google earth.
- Get started with using the powerful, freeware tool grass gis for some spatial data analysis tasks
- Stop spending money on paid-for gis software tools
- Have a solid foundation to learn advanced gis tasks
- Gain experience in working with a variety of different spatial data and gain hands-on expertise
- Carry out the most common spatial data analysis and gis tasks using free software tools
- Perform advanced spatial data analysis and mapping using both r and qgis
- Develop robust map-making skills including harnessing the power of google earth.
- Get started with using the powerful, freeware tool grass gis for some spatial data analysis tasks
- Stop spending money on paid-for gis software tools
- Have a solid foundation to learn advanced gis tasks
- Gain experience in working with a variety of different spatial data and gain hands-on expertise
Syllabus
By the end of this section, the students will have been introduced to the key spatial concepts. Further, they will know about the different free software tools such as R, QGIS , GRASS & their use
Read more
Syllabus
In this lecture students will be briefly introduced to the concepts pertaining to spatial data analysis such as coordinate reference systems and the different spatial data that will be used in the course.
This lecture will show how to configure GRASS to read in our own data. The demonstration data are in folder "Lecture_4-grass_eg1"
This quiz will test the introductory concepts relating to spatial data and the software tools that we will use in this course
This lecture presents a brief overview of what shapefiles are and their attribute table is. Further I briefly demonstrate how to modify the basic properties of shapefiles to improve their appearance. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
In this section we will see how shapefiles can be rendered and visualized using qualitative attributes. We will focus on the world map and display the different continents in there as a way of making the world map more intuitive. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
In this section we will see how shapefiles can be rendered and visualized using quantitative attributes. We will focus on the world map and use the country areas in there as a way of making the world map more intuitive. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
In this lecture the students will be exposed to basic concepts of mapping shapefile data and mapping shapefile attributes in R using spplot function. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
This lecture will demonstrate how to build choropleth maps using shapefiles in R. The students will also be introduced to the R package, GISTools for choropleth mapping. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
In this lecture, students will learn how to use Google Earth data and display their own spatial data on Google Earth base layers. The data for this lecture are in folder "Lecture_11-ggplot_GE_R"
In this section I will demonstrate how to add data from a CSV file to a shapefile using a spatial join. Spatial joins work by combining data for common attributes in CSV and the shapefile. The data for this lecture are in folder "Lecture_13-JpnPop_joinR".
In this lecture we will see how to carry out the spatial joining demonstrated in the previous lecture in QGIS using R. The data for this lecture are in folder "Lecture_13-JpnPop_joinR".
In this lecture I will demonstrate how to compute basic descriptive statistics from a shapefile using R. The data used for the lecture demonstration are present in the folder "Lecture_6-countries_shp"
In this lecture the students will learn how to add a user defined buffer to a polygon or a polyline. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_16-buffer_vector_data".
In this lecture the students will learn how to add a user defined buffer to a polygon or a polyline. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_17-mynamar_intersecn".
This lecture demonstrates how to make an outer buffer/boundary in both R and QGIS. The data for this lecture are in folder "Lecture_18-outer_buffer".
A brief description of the data used for lectures 20--23
In this lecture the students will learn how to carry out the union between 2 shapefiles in QGIS. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_17-mynamar_intersecn".
In this lecture the students will learn how to clip a shapefile in QGIS. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_17-mynamar_intersecn".
In this lecture the students will learn how to intersect 2 shapefiles in QGIS. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_17-mynamar_intersecn".
In this lecture I will show how to carry out intersection between two shapefiles and clip the bigger shapefile using the smaller shapefile as a cookie-cutter in R. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_17-mynamar_intersecn".
This quiz is designed to test the ability of the students to carry out analysis of shapefile data
In this lecture I will demonstrate how to make a heat map from point/XY data in QGIS and visually display the distribution and concentration of attributes using QGIS. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_25-Heatmap".
A brief introduction to the theory behind Kernel Density Estimation (KDE)
In this lecture I will demonstrate how to use geographical point data to map the distribution and clustering of an attribute using Kernel Density Estimates in R. A brief introduction to the package spatstat (used for analyzing point/XY data) has been provided. The data used in this lecture are present in the folder "Lecture_27-uk_plaque".
In this lecture, the students will learn how to plot heat maps to show the spatial distribution and concentration of point data on Google Earth in R. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_27-uk_plaque".
In this lecture, the students will learn how to carry out interpolation of point data in QGIS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_30-aust_elev".
Students will be able to carry out thin spline interpolation on point data to produce a raster surface. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_31-interpolation_r".
This lecture demonstrates how to carry out the IDW interpolation of point data in R. Students will be able to carry out thin spline interpolation on point data to produce a raster surface. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_31-interpolation_r".
This lecture briefly demonstrates how to carry out kriging in R. Students will be able to carry out thin spline interpolation on point data to produce a raster surface. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_31-interpolation_r".
This lecture demonstrates how to use GRASS to implement some interpolation techniques on point data. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_32-interpolation_grass1".
This quiz seeks to test the understanding of carrying out point patterns analysis of spatial data
I will demonstrate how to display raster data in QGIS and how to use Properties to enhance the rendering and visualization of these data. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_37-digital elevation model_easia".
This lecture will demonstrate how to display raster data in R. A brief introduction the package rasterVis which is used for visualizing raster data in R will be provided. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_37-digital elevation model_easia".
This lecture will demonstrate how to extract raster statistics for a given set of shapefile polygons. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_38-zonal_stats".
In this lecture I will demonstrate how to merge and stitch together non-overlapping rasters in QGIS . The data for these lectures are in folder "Lecture_39-raster_merging"
This lecture demonstrates how we can merge adjacent, non-overlapping rasters in R. The data for these lectures are in folder "Lecture_39-raster_merging"
Briefly demonstrate how to clip a raster to desired boundary using a shapefile as cookie-cutter in R and QGIS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_37-digital elevation model_easia".
Briefly demonstrate how to clip a raster to desired boundary using a shapefile as cookie-cutter in GRASS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_42-clipRasters_grass".
In this lecture, I will demonstrate how to carry out basic terrain analysis calculations on DEMs using GRASS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_37-digital elevation model_easia".
In this lecture I will show you how to geo-reference image data using QGIS. I will show how to add coordinate information both manually and using a Google Earth base layer map. The data for this lecture are in folder "Lecture_44-georeferencing_qgis"
A brief quiz pertaining to processing of raster data
This lecture shows how simple GIS tasks can be automated as a part of a workflow in QGIS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_37-digital elevation model_easia".
This lecture will show how to implement the AHP process on raster data in QGIS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_49-suitability analysis_MCDM".
This lecture will show how to build a basic interactive webmap in QGIS. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_50-webmap_qgis".
This lecture shows how the student can build interactive web maps using their own spatial data in R. An introduction to the leaflet package is provided. The data for this lecture are in "Lecture_50-webmap_qgis".
Good to know
Save this course
Save
Reviews summary
Engaging course with practical exercises
Activities
Review Geospatial Concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of fundamental geospatial concepts to enhance your comprehension of the course materials
Show steps
-
Review online resources on coordinate reference systems
-
Explore different types of spatial data and their characteristics
-
Familiarize yourself with common spatial data formats
-
Practice identifying and interpreting spatial data
Explore GRASS GIS Tutorial
Show steps
Follow a guided tutorial to familiarize yourself with the capabilities and workflow of GRASS GIS
Show steps
-
Access the online tutorial documentation
-
Choose a tutorial relevant to your interests
-
Work through the tutorial steps
-
Experiment with different options and parameters
-
Apply the acquired knowledge to your own projects
Learn the basics of R
Show steps
This activity will help you strengthen your foundational understanding of R, which will make it easier to follow along with the course material and apply the concepts you learn.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
-
Take an online tutorial on R
-
Complete the R exercises in the course syllabus
-
Build a simple R script
15 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 18 activities
Review Introduction to Geographic Information Systems book by A. Keith Turner
Show steps
This book will be a reference and will help you prepare for the course. It will also provide additional depth and breadth.
Show steps
-
Read Chapter 1-3 of the book, focusing on key concepts and definitions
-
Summarize the main points of each chapter and create a visual overview of the material
Explore R / QGIS cheat sheets
Show steps
A cheat sheet is a quick reference of frequently used commands and their syntax. It helps improve recall of information and quickly looking up how to write various commands.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
-
Find R cheatsheets for a quick overview of functions and commands
-
Bookmark or download your favorite R cheatsheet for easy access
-
Locate QGIS cheatsheets for guidance on tools and features
-
Keep the downloaded cheatsheets accessible to use whenever you need them during the course
Complete Shapefile Processing Exercises
Show steps
Engage in hands-on exercises to strengthen your skills in manipulating and analyzing shapefile data
Show steps
-
Download and open a shapefile
-
Explore the attributes and geometry of the shapefile
-
Perform basic operations such as buffering and clipping
-
Analyze spatial relationships between different shapefiles
-
Export the results in a desired format
Watch video tutorials on advanced GIS techniques
Show steps
Video tutorials provide visual demonstrations and explanations, making complex concepts easier to understand and retain.
Browse courses on
GIS
Show steps
-
Search for video tutorials on specific GIS techniques you want to improve in, such as interpolation, spatial analysis, or data visualization
-
Select reputable sources, such as university channels, industry experts, or online learning platforms
-
Take notes while watching the videos, focusing on key concepts and practical applications
-
Pause and rewind the videos as needed to fully understand the explanations
Review the fundamentals of R
Show steps
Refreshes the student's memory of fundamentals that will be used extensively in this course
Browse courses on
R Programming
Show steps
-
Review the basics of R syntax
-
Practice creating and manipulating data frames
-
Work with basic R functions
Review the basics of QGIS
Show steps
Refreshes the student's memory of fundamentals that will be used extensively in this course
Browse courses on
QGIS
Show steps
-
Review the basics of QGIS interface
-
Practice loading and visualizing spatial data
-
Work with basic QGIS tools
Complete practice exercises on RStudio
Show steps
Practice exercises provide an opportunity to apply the concepts and techniques learned in the course, reinforcing understanding and improving proficiency.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
-
Access practice exercises provided by the course instructor or find additional exercises online
-
Set aside dedicated time to work on these exercises, aiming to complete at least 1-2 exercises per week
-
Use RStudio to execute the code and analyze the results
-
Review your answers and identify areas where you need further clarification or practice
Practice spatial data analysis in R and QGIS
Show steps
This activity will help you improve your skills in using R and QGIS for spatial data analysis.
Show steps
-
Complete the practice exercises in the course lectures
-
Find a dataset and perform a spatial analysis on your own
Practice spatial data analysis tasks in QGIS
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in performing common spatial data analysis tasks, reinforcing understanding and skills
Browse courses on
Spatial Data Analysis
Show steps
-
Load a spatial dataset into QGIS
-
Perform basic spatial analysis operations (e.g., buffer, intersection)
-
Create thematic maps and visualizations
-
Export and share the results
Practice spatial data analysis tasks in R
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in performing common spatial data analysis tasks, reinforcing understanding and skills
Browse courses on
Spatial Data Analysis
Show steps
-
Load a spatial dataset into R
-
Perform basic spatial analysis operations (e.g., buffer, intersection)
-
Create thematic maps and visualizations
-
Export and share the results
Form a small study group with other enrolled students
Show steps
Collaborating with other students can provide various viewpoints on course concepts and help improve understanding.
Show steps
-
Reach out to classmates through the course discussion board or social media
-
Connect with 2-3 students who are also interested in forming a study group
-
Set up regular virtual or in-person meetings to discuss course materials, work on assignments together, and quiz each other
-
Alternatively, join an existing study group if one has been formed
Write a blog post or article on a GIS topic
Show steps
Writing about a GIS topic helps solidify understanding, improve communication skills, and share knowledge with others.
Browse courses on
GIS
Show steps
-
Choose a specific GIS topic that you are familiar with and passionate about
-
Research and gather information from reputable sources
-
Organize your content into a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion
-
Write clear and concise explanations, providing examples and illustrations to support your points
-
Proofread your blog post or article carefully before publishing it on a platform of your choice
Create a map of your local area using QGIS
Show steps
This activity will help you apply your skills in spatial data analysis and mapping to a real-world problem.
Show steps
-
Find a dataset of your local area
-
Import the data into QGIS
-
Create a map of your local area
Connect with a Study Buddy
Show steps
Meet and discuss the course materials with a peer regularly to test your understanding of the concepts
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
-
Find a classmate interested in collaborating
-
Schedule a regular meeting time
-
Review lecture notes and assignments together
-
Discuss challenging concepts and assist each other in understanding
-
Quiz each other on the material
Build an Interactive Web Map
Show steps
Create an interactive web map using the skills and techniques learned in the course to showcase your understanding of spatial data visualization
Browse courses on
Web Mapping
Show steps
-
Gather spatial data and prepare it for use
-
Design the layout and functionality of the map
-
Implement the map using QGIS or R
-
Publish the map online
-
Share the map with others
Review Geospatial Concepts
Show steps
Refresh your understanding of fundamental geospatial concepts to enhance your comprehension of the course materials
Show steps
- Review online resources on coordinate reference systems
- Explore different types of spatial data and their characteristics
- Familiarize yourself with common spatial data formats
- Practice identifying and interpreting spatial data
Explore GRASS GIS Tutorial
Show steps
Follow a guided tutorial to familiarize yourself with the capabilities and workflow of GRASS GIS
Show steps
- Access the online tutorial documentation
- Choose a tutorial relevant to your interests
- Work through the tutorial steps
- Experiment with different options and parameters
- Apply the acquired knowledge to your own projects
Learn the basics of R
Show steps
This activity will help you strengthen your foundational understanding of R, which will make it easier to follow along with the course material and apply the concepts you learn.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
- Take an online tutorial on R
- Complete the R exercises in the course syllabus
- Build a simple R script
Review Introduction to Geographic Information Systems book by A. Keith Turner
Show steps
This book will be a reference and will help you prepare for the course. It will also provide additional depth and breadth.
Show steps
- Read Chapter 1-3 of the book, focusing on key concepts and definitions
- Summarize the main points of each chapter and create a visual overview of the material
Explore R / QGIS cheat sheets
Show steps
A cheat sheet is a quick reference of frequently used commands and their syntax. It helps improve recall of information and quickly looking up how to write various commands.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
- Find R cheatsheets for a quick overview of functions and commands
- Bookmark or download your favorite R cheatsheet for easy access
- Locate QGIS cheatsheets for guidance on tools and features
- Keep the downloaded cheatsheets accessible to use whenever you need them during the course
Complete Shapefile Processing Exercises
Show steps
Engage in hands-on exercises to strengthen your skills in manipulating and analyzing shapefile data
Show steps
- Download and open a shapefile
- Explore the attributes and geometry of the shapefile
- Perform basic operations such as buffering and clipping
- Analyze spatial relationships between different shapefiles
- Export the results in a desired format
Watch video tutorials on advanced GIS techniques
Show steps
Video tutorials provide visual demonstrations and explanations, making complex concepts easier to understand and retain.
Browse courses on
GIS
Show steps
- Search for video tutorials on specific GIS techniques you want to improve in, such as interpolation, spatial analysis, or data visualization
- Select reputable sources, such as university channels, industry experts, or online learning platforms
- Take notes while watching the videos, focusing on key concepts and practical applications
- Pause and rewind the videos as needed to fully understand the explanations
Review the fundamentals of R
Show steps
Refreshes the student's memory of fundamentals that will be used extensively in this course
Browse courses on
R Programming
Show steps
- Review the basics of R syntax
- Practice creating and manipulating data frames
- Work with basic R functions
Review the basics of QGIS
Show steps
Refreshes the student's memory of fundamentals that will be used extensively in this course
Browse courses on
QGIS
Show steps
- Review the basics of QGIS interface
- Practice loading and visualizing spatial data
- Work with basic QGIS tools
Complete practice exercises on RStudio
Show steps
Practice exercises provide an opportunity to apply the concepts and techniques learned in the course, reinforcing understanding and improving proficiency.
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
- Access practice exercises provided by the course instructor or find additional exercises online
- Set aside dedicated time to work on these exercises, aiming to complete at least 1-2 exercises per week
- Use RStudio to execute the code and analyze the results
- Review your answers and identify areas where you need further clarification or practice
Practice spatial data analysis in R and QGIS
Show steps
This activity will help you improve your skills in using R and QGIS for spatial data analysis.
Show steps
- Complete the practice exercises in the course lectures
- Find a dataset and perform a spatial analysis on your own
Practice spatial data analysis tasks in QGIS
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in performing common spatial data analysis tasks, reinforcing understanding and skills
Browse courses on
Spatial Data Analysis
Show steps
- Load a spatial dataset into QGIS
- Perform basic spatial analysis operations (e.g., buffer, intersection)
- Create thematic maps and visualizations
- Export and share the results
Practice spatial data analysis tasks in R
Show steps
Provides hands-on experience in performing common spatial data analysis tasks, reinforcing understanding and skills
Browse courses on
Spatial Data Analysis
Show steps
- Load a spatial dataset into R
- Perform basic spatial analysis operations (e.g., buffer, intersection)
- Create thematic maps and visualizations
- Export and share the results
Form a small study group with other enrolled students
Show steps
Collaborating with other students can provide various viewpoints on course concepts and help improve understanding.
Show steps
- Reach out to classmates through the course discussion board or social media
- Connect with 2-3 students who are also interested in forming a study group
- Set up regular virtual or in-person meetings to discuss course materials, work on assignments together, and quiz each other
- Alternatively, join an existing study group if one has been formed
Write a blog post or article on a GIS topic
Show steps
Writing about a GIS topic helps solidify understanding, improve communication skills, and share knowledge with others.
Browse courses on
GIS
Show steps
- Choose a specific GIS topic that you are familiar with and passionate about
- Research and gather information from reputable sources
- Organize your content into a logical structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion
- Write clear and concise explanations, providing examples and illustrations to support your points
- Proofread your blog post or article carefully before publishing it on a platform of your choice
Create a map of your local area using QGIS
Show steps
This activity will help you apply your skills in spatial data analysis and mapping to a real-world problem.
Show steps
- Find a dataset of your local area
- Import the data into QGIS
- Create a map of your local area
Connect with a Study Buddy
Show steps
Meet and discuss the course materials with a peer regularly to test your understanding of the concepts
Browse courses on
R
Show steps
- Find a classmate interested in collaborating
- Schedule a regular meeting time
- Review lecture notes and assignments together
- Discuss challenging concepts and assist each other in understanding
- Quiz each other on the material
Build an Interactive Web Map
Show steps
Create an interactive web map using the skills and techniques learned in the course to showcase your understanding of spatial data visualization
Browse courses on
Web Mapping
Show steps
- Gather spatial data and prepare it for use
- Design the layout and functionality of the map
- Implement the map using QGIS or R
- Publish the map online
- Share the map with others
Career center
Geospatial Analyst
Spatial Data Scientist
Geographer
Spatial Statistician
GIS Analyst
Cartographer
Remote Sensing Analyst
Urban Planner
Planner
Transportation Planner
Water Resources Manager
Natural Resource Manager
Wildlife Biologist
Surveyor
Environmental Consultant
Reading list
Save
Save
Save
Save
Save
Share
Similar courses
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
