Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for Earth and Environmental Scientists (online)
This course aims to equip earth and environmental scientists with skills to use Geographical Information Systems to make maps and to visualise and analyse a variety of spatial data.
GIS is particularly important in Earth and Environmental science. From creating geological and mineral resource maps to applications in areas such as natural hazards, civil engineering, including building bridges and roads, soil types, agriculture, and urban planning, GIS provides the tools for visualising and analysing spatial relationships. GIS is also essential for locating the georesources that we will need for the transition to the green economy.
This is an online course, delivered in English, and is designed for you to complete in your own time and at your own pace. Delivery will be via a variety of online and interactive activities such as illustrated articles, short videos and quizzes.
Please note: We are only able to accept payment by credit card for this course. You will receive access to the course materials no later than 1 week after making payment. You will have access for 2 months from the date you first access the learning materials.
The course has been developed by Professor Thomas Blenkinsop.
Enrol on this course
| Start date | Days and times |
|---|---|
| 24 February 2025 | 16-20 hour online course to be taken in your own time |
| Fee |
|---|
| £250 (you will receive access to the course no later than 1 week after making payment) |
Who it’s for
Earth and environmental scientists.
At Cardiff University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, we’ve created a brand new online course, looking at GIS Techniques from a geoscience perspective. So, while you may have seen other GIS programmes, we think this is a pretty unique course. The content has been designed with geologists and environmental scientists in mind, and examples throughout the course focus on georesources.
What you’ll learn
On successful completion of the course a participant will be able to:
- understand the principles and applications of Geographical Information Systems
- understand the different types of spatial data and the ability to select and implement the most appropriate methods to analyse and display them
- select and apply appropriate coordinate reference systems and change between them
- use QGIS for displaying and analysing spatial data, especially for Earth and Environmental Sciences
- digitise spatial data to make maps
- use web mapping services, tiles, plugins and the QGIS toolbox
Topics covered
- the QGIS interface
- working with raster and vector data
- print layouts: making a map
- working with other types of layers
- web mapping services
- tiles
- digitising
- plugins and the toolbox
Benefits
While there are other GIS courses available, the particular focus of this one on earth and environmental science gives it a distinctive character which will appeal to those working in the field as students or professionals.
The course aims to be a relatively quick and effective introduction, which will give particpants a platform to use GIS at a basic level as well as to develop more specialised expertise.
Our team:
- provides a friendly, welcoming and supportive environment in which to learn
- consistently receives outstanding feedback from learners
The design enables you to:
- undertake the independent study element of the course at a time suitable for you, and at your own pace
Take a look at this short video, outlining the aims, objectives and benefits of this course:
Teaching and useful information
This is an online course and is designed for you to complete in your own time and at your own pace. It is delivered in English by GIS and prospectivity mapping experts from Cardiff University and includes content provided by colleagues from the Geological Survey of Finland, and Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.
Delivery will be via a variety of online and interactive activities such as short videos and test-your-knowledge exercises. There is also an end of course test to assess learning. If you achieve 50% or more, we will send you an e-certificate of completion.
The training will take approximately 16-20 hours to complete.
This course is asynchronous, but you will have the opportunity to contact the lead tutor, and we will be in touch to schedule a live session date.
The course will be delivered via the University's virtual learning platform, Learning Central. Your individual login details will be emailed to you a few days before your course access begins.
You will have access to the course materials for two months.
Course lead
Professor Thomas Blenkinsop
Tom is a Professor of Structural Geology at the University’s School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He has 30 years’ experience in structural analysis. Much of this has been carried out in the context of consultancy for problems of hydrothermal mineralisation for major mining companies. Through this experience he has developed a unified and systematic approach to structural analysis, which includes new and simple methods of dealing with structures such as lineations, folds, and shear zones.
