CE-ITCS-2000 - Core Skills in Geospatial Technology and Spatial Python Programming

Course Description

Spatial data science is an emerging field of data science that involves using data and geographic information systems (GIS) to view how location impacts datasets and how we can use that information to garner insights, predict patterns, and solve location-based issues. In this course, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of how to use spatial data science applications. This is also the first core course in the Spatial Data Science Applications Mastery Certificate, but if you have a Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP) or equivalent, you can skip this course while still pursuing the mastery certificate.

Is This Course for You?

This course is designed for data science professionals currently working in geospatial analysis, data analysis, data science, or other types of computerized data looking to advance their skills. This is the first core course for the Spatial Data Science Applications Mastery Certificate and is part of both the GIS-A and GIS-D tracks, and if you’re pursuing the mastery certificate you should take this course before the next core courses. If you do not have a foundational knowledge and understanding of Python, we recommend you take the Intro to Python course before you take this one. If you already have a GISP certification or equivalent, please contact our team as you can opt out of this course as part of your mastery certificate pathway.

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you’ll build foundational skills for spatial data science applications. You’ll cover topics including geospatial data concepts such as projections, coordinate systems, and geospatial data formats. You’ll also get an introduction to concepts like Python in the context of spatial data science and commercial and open-source geospatial technologies ArcGIS Pro and QGIS as well as their application to spatial data science contexts. By the end of this course, you’ll create a Jupyter notebook and accompanying Python source code files in GitHub that demonstrates your ability to write that uses introductory functions of spatial data science libraries including ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python, and GeoPandas.

How You’ll Learn

This 12-week course is fully online, but it does have required synchronous class sessions. You can view the times of these sessions by clicking the “+” icon next to the available course dates. Throughout the course, you’ll engage in hands-on coding practice as you build your foundational spatial data science application skills. Your work throughout the course will culminate in a project you can add to your professional portfolio to demonstrate your new skills. This project is the creation of an ArcGIS Pro or QGIS packaged project file containing geospatial datasets and a Jupyter notebook and accompanying Python source code files in GitHub with documentation (comments) reviewed by the instructor for clarity.

Skills You Walk Away With

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

• Apply geospatial data concepts to spatial data science applications.
• Demonstrate basic proficiency using commercial and open-source geospatial technology.
• Utilize Python code for a basic spatial data science application.
• Create code statements without the use of generative AI to form a foundation of coding knowledge that can be used to troubleshoot problems and errors in code.

Notes

Learners with GISP or equivalent certification enrolled in the Spatial Data Science Mastery Certificate program can opt out of this course.

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Spatial Data Science Applications : Core Courses