Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

[Estimated 0:00 - 0:40] - Introduction "Hi, and welcome to introduction to geographic information systems at UCLA extension with the UCLA department of geography. My name is Nick Burkhart, and I'll be your instructor for this course, as well as for the other four courses in the UCLA extension certificate program in GIS and geospatial technology. I have experience working in the geospatial industry as a start-up entrepreneur, and I also teach classes here for UCLA extension and with the UCLA department of geography. I look forward to working with you in this course, and all of the other courses in this program."

[Estimated 0:40 - 1:15] - Course Overview "Welcome to introduction to geographic information systems, a fully online, introductory GIS course offered by UCLA extension in partnership with the UCLA department of geography. This course, which is the first course in UCLA extension's new certificate program in GIS and geospatial technology, provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to the principles of geographic information systems and the state of the art in GIS techniques."

[Estimated 1:15 - 1:55] - Target Audience "Intro to GIS is an ideal option for working professionals to have no prior GIS experience, but are interested in quickly and efficiently learning the basic skills and concepts necessary for working with GIS in a professional context. Likewise, this course is flexibly structured and scheduled to accommodate the lifestyles of professionals who work full time. Participants who complete introduction to GIS come away from the course with a working understanding of key GIS concepts, as well as an ability to apply these concepts in a practical setting."

[Estimated 1:55 - 3:00] - Fundamental Concepts and Techniques The fundamental concepts and techniques covered in this course include:

• Use of spreadsheet software to collect, organize, and visualize tabular data.
• Preparation of a computer for GIS use, including installation of desktop GIS software and management of basic software licensing issues.
• Creation of basic thematic maps using GIS data and basemap imagery.
• Abstraction and representation of real-world features in a computer GIS.
• Thematic mapping, geographic data visualization, and cartography principles and data classification methods.
• Extraction and selection of GIS data using both attribute and spatially driven queries and selections.
• Map projections and geographic coordinate systems.
• Conversion of street addresses to geographic coordinates using geocoding.
• Data models, raster imagery, terrain analysis, and basic map algebra.
• Relational database structures and management, including linking tabular data to geographic features.
• And finally, geoprocessing techniques including overlay analysis and proximity analysis.

[Estimated 3:00 - 3:30] - Curriculum Alignment & Structure "The techniques covered in this course align with the typical scope of a university level introductory GIS course, and the entire curriculum of the GIS and geospatial technology certificate program is closely aligned with the GIS body of knowledge and the US department of labor's geospatial technology competency model, which are the two leading professional competency models related to GIS. The course is divided into ten content units, each of which will be completed in one week. Each unit contains several components: lecture videos, technical screencasts, a practical exercise, and a unit quiz."

[Estimated 3:30 - 4:10] - Unit Components: Lectures and Screencasts "You will begin each unit by reviewing several short lecture videos that provide useful conceptual and contextualizing information related to the GIS topics at hand. These videos constitute a broad conceptual framework for all of the more specific techniques that are covered in the technical videos. Following the lecture videos are a series of technical screencasts, which provide tutorials for applying the specific skills and techniques required to complete the unit's practical exercise. The technical screencasts are often accompanied by downloadable data, as we encourage participants to follow along with the steps described in the technical screencast while working hands on with the GIS software. The technical screencasts can be paused, viewed repeatedly, and viewed at a slower pace for students who wish to follow along with the videos while watching."

[Estimated 4:10 - 5:00] - Practical Exercises and Conclusion "The cornerstone of introduction to GIS is the practical exercises embedded within every unit. The eight practical exercises spread throughout the course give participants hands on introductions to the essential GIS skills and concepts outlined earlier in this video. The exercises require careful attention to detail and most require the application of several GIS techniques at the same time, but the reward of completing the exercises is the familiarity and comfort that you will develop not only with the specific techniques that we will cover, but also with the process of using GIS software more broadly. Building upon the weekly exercises are a practical midterm exam and a final project that also emphasize practical applications of GIS to solving real world problem scenarios. Overall, we hope that you find introduction to GIS to be a valuable first step as you begin your journey toward starting a career in GIS and geospatial technology."