GIS Course: Intermediate

Data analysis and analytics. Uncover insights and transform your organisation.

Ready to take your Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data skills to the next level? The intermediate GIS course provides students with in-depth training in GIS, to meet the needs of 21st-century spatial analytics. This course enhances the toolkit of IT professionals, managers, and others, empowering them to derive a deeper generation of actionable insights using spatial data.

This course follows the initial Introduction to Geographic Information Systems course offered by CCE. Topics include geoprocessing tools, automation of spatial processes, raster imagery, metadata management, and more. Much of the course content uses the ArcGIS Pro* software, though a gentle introduction to programmatic GIS using the R programming language is included.

*ArcGIS Pro is latest version of the ESRI ArcDesktop/ArcMap interface. Those comfortable in the ArcDesktop/ArcMap 10.x environment will be comfortable using ArcGIS Pro. The first section of course content covers the latest features and changes in interface design.

Aims

This course aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of GIS techniques. It aims to increase your confidence, efficiency, and proficiency in working with spatial data, enabling you to meet the ongoing demand for critical GIS skills. 

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to: 

• migrate from ArcGIS Desktop 10.x to ArcGIS Pro
• run complex geoprocessing tools
• use and process raster spatial data
• work with and process other spatial data formats like KML and geojson
• build automated geoprocessing tasks in ModelBuilder or programming
• create easy-to-use layer files
• edit spatial data in Editor Mode
• update spatial data metadata.

Content

ArcGIS Pro

• The latest ESRI GIS software interface
• Additional tools for optimizing spatial data work
• Create map projects and layer files
• Use ArcGIS to create metadata

Raster data

• Raster processing
• Raster analysis

Geoprocessing tools

• Spatial Join
• Intersect
• Delete features

Other spatial data formats

• XY coordinates in csv
• json/geojson
• KML

Editor Mode

• Modify spatial geometries
• Edit Attribute Tables

Programmatic GIS

• ModelBuilder
• R programming language
• Simple features (sf) package

Intended audience

This course is designed for industry professionals and managers looking to enhance their GIS and spatial data skill set or those looking to upskill for labour market competitiveness.

Prerequisites

It is assumed you have completed CCE’s GIS Course: Introduction (Geographic Information Systems) or have equivalent knowledge.

Delivery style

This data analytics course is an interactive workshop which includes lectures, individual exercises and discussion.

Delivery mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught training in a computer lab.

Materials

All course materials and files are available electronically (via Dropbox). Printing services are not provided.

Recommended reading

Bolstad, P 2016, GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems (5th ed) XanEdu Publishing.

Gorr, W and Kurland, K 2023, GIS Tutorial for ArcGIS Pro 3.1, ESRI Press.

Van Maareseveen, M, Martinez J, and Flacke, J 2019, GIS in Sustainable Urban Planning and Management: A Global Perspective, Taylor and Francis.