Coursera

Introduction to GIS Mapping (Coursera)

Offered by University of Toronto,
Introduction to GIS Mapping (Coursera)

Get started learning about the fascinating and useful world of geographic information systems (GIS)! In this first course of the specialization GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis, you'll learn about what a GIS is, how to get started with the software yourself, how things we find in the real world can be represented on a map, how we record locations using coordinates, and how we can make a two-dimensional map from a three-dimensional Earth.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

In the course project, you will create your own GIS data by tracing geographic features from a satellite image for a location and theme of your choice. This course will give you a strong foundation in mapping and GIS that will give you the understanding you need to start working with GIS, and to succeed in the other courses in this specialization.
This course is for anyone who wants to learn about mapping and GIS. You don't have to have any previous experience - just your curiosity! The course includes both practical software training and explanations of the concepts you need to know to make informed decisions as you start your journey to becoming a GIS analyst.
You will need a Windows computer with ArcGIS Desktop installed. (software is not provided)

Course 1 of 4 in the GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1: What is a GIS?
WEEK 2: Introduction to ArcGIS
WEEK 3: Mapping the real world with vector and raster data
WEEK 4: Mapping Locations with Coordinate Systems
WEEK 5: Flattening the Earth with Map Projections
WEEK 6: Project: Creating Your Own Data

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

VLSI CAD Part II: Layout (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

VLSI CAD Part II: Layout (Coursera)

CS: Software Engineering CS: Theory

A modern VLSI chip is a remarkably complex beast: billions of transistors, millions of logic gates deployed for computation and control, big blocks of memory, embedded blocks of pre-designed functions designed by third parties (called “intellectual property” or IP blocks). How do people manage to design these complicated chips? Answer: a sequence of computer aided design (CAD) tools takes an abstract description of the chip, and refines it step-wise to a final design.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Programming Algorithms ASIC
Details
Building Data Visualization Tools (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Building Data Visualization Tools (Coursera)

Statistics & Data Analysis Data Science

The data science revolution has produced reams of new data from a wide variety of new sources. These new datasets are being used to answer new questions in way never before conceived. Visualization remains one of the most powerful ways draw conclusions from data, but the influx of new data types requires the development of new visualization techniques and building blocks. This course provides you with the skills for creating those new visualization building blocks.

Jun 29th 2026
4 Weeks
Digital Tools Data Science Data Visualization
Details
Cartography (Esri) Esri
Esri

Cartography (Esri)

CS: Information & Technology Sci: Physical & Earth Sciences

Once, only cartographers made maps. Today anyone can. Still, cartographers can teach people to make better maps, just as chefs can show people how to cook better meals. With coaching from experienced cartographers and practical, hands-on exercises using ArcGIS Pro, you'll become a smarter mapmaker, ready to go beyond the defaults and make better maps.

Feb 16th 2022
5-12 Weeks
Maps Cartography Geographic Information Systems
Details
Analysis of Algorithms (Coursera) Coursera
Princeton University

Analysis of Algorithms (Coursera)

CS: Theory

This course teaches a calculus that enables precise quantitative predictions of large combinatorial structures. In addition, this course covers generating functions and real asymptotics and then introduces the symbolic method in the context of applications in the analysis of algorithms and basic structures such as permutations, trees, strings, words, and mappings.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Math Calculus Analysis
Details
Imagery, Automation, and Applications (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Davis

Imagery, Automation, and Applications (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Environment

Welcome to the last course of the specialization (unless your continuing on to the capstone project, of course!). Using the knowledge you’ve learned about ArcGIS, complete technical tasks such raster calculations and suitability analysis. What you will learn:Use the imagery in two different common types of analysis: NDVI and trained classification; Practice with tools to support image analysis using Raster Calculation and Spatial Analyst; Develop a large processing workflow in ModelBuilder; Use products derived from digital elevation models

Jun 17th 2024
4 Weeks
Algorithms Geographic Information Systems GIS
Details
Cartographie thématique (Coursera) Coursera
École normale supérieure

Cartographie thématique (Coursera)

Social Sciences

Apprendre à réaliser des cartes ? C’est ce que propose ce cours grâce à des vidéos, des exercices, un forum. A la fin de la formation, vous maîtriserez les principes de la sémiologie graphique, et vous saurez les mettre en œuvre pour construire des cartes thématiques simples et de qualité. Ces cartes personnelles donneront de la force à vos rapports, synthèses, articles, mémoires universitaires, sites web...

May 18th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mapping Thematic Mapping Inkscape
Details
GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Capstone (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

GIS, Mapping, and Spatial Analysis Capstone (Coursera)

Engineering Sci: Physics

In this capstone course, you will apply everything you have learned by designing and then completing your own GIS project. You will plan out your project by writing a brief proposal that explains what you plan to do and why. You will then find data for a topic and location of your choice, and perform analysis and create maps that allow you to try out different tools and data sets. The results of your work will be assembled into an Esri story map, which is a web site with maps, images, text, and video. The goal is for you to have a finished product that you can share, and that demonstrates what you have learned.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Sustainability Cartography Geographic Information Systems
Details
Strategies for Effective Engagement (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Strategies for Effective Engagement (Coursera)

Management & Leadership Business

Being a successful professional requires creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial thinking, and to continually have a problem-solving mindset. As a systems thinker, you are expected to engage complex problems from multiple perspectives and different angles, viewing them holistically. This course exposes the student to a variety of tools used to engage stakeholders, collect data, and more deeply understand the community.

Jun 22nd 2026
3 Weeks
Entrepreneurial Thinking Engagement Creative Thinking
Details
Quality Improvement for Population Health (Coursera) Coursera
Imperial College London

Quality Improvement for Population Health (Coursera)

Health & Society

Quality improvement methods were first deployed in healthcare in e hospital settings. However, over the past decade particularly, there has been increasing focus on the application of these methods in improving population and public health. In this course, you will apply a combination of both approaches to population health improvement. You will also learn how to study and evaluate large improvement initiatives to capture learning effectively.

Jun 29th 2026
4 Weeks
Health Healthcare Geographic Information Systems
Details