Core GIS Analysis in QGIS: Learn to Conduct Complete GIS Pro

Define GIS as a framework to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial data, enabling interactive queries and layered maps to reveal patterns and inform smarter decisions.

Discover the four core ideas of GIS—create geographic data, manage it, analyze it, and display results on a map—along with maps, data, analysis, and apps.

Explore the basics of geodata in GIS, comparing vector and raster types, including points, lines, polygons and pixel-based data like elevation and land cover.

Discover free data sources for your projects, including natural resource data, open data portals, and satellite imagery from Google Maps, Sentinel Hub, USGS Earth Explorer, and Google Earth Engine.

QGIS, the leading free and open source GIS software, offers a user-friendly desktop interface, powerful geospatial analysis, cartography, and extensible plugins backed by a supportive community.

Install the latest long-term release of QGIS and avoid experimental builds; this lab covers version updates, cross-platform use (Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android), and interface differences while ensuring course compatibility.

Install QGIS on your computer by selecting the right release for your platform, download the Windows installer, agree to the license, and run the long term releases for geospatial analysis.

Master core GIS analysis in QGIS by managing versions and plugins, installing stable releases, and installing plugins from zip archives.

Explore the QGIS interface by managing layers, panels, and toolbars, and learn to open and save projects, view layer properties, and customize tools for satellite imagery and segmentation polygons.

Load vector data into QGIS by adding shapefiles, either via drag-and-drop or add vector layer, then check coordinate system alignment and rearrange layers so subway stations appear on top.

Learn to visualize vector layers in QGIS by adjusting the symbology, colors, and line widths to depict subway stations, green spaces, facilities, and boundaries clearly.

Identify features in the map view, open attribute tables, and practice selecting subway stations in QGIS by area or a single click, and by expression.

Add and visualize raster files in QGIS 3.16 by loading layers, adjusting color ramps, and inverting ramps to reveal spatial patterns in the study area, such as nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Save your QGIS project frequently to preserve symbology, labeling, and the current zoom. Use save as to name and store the project in its vault folder with loaded layers.

Define remote sensing as using electromagnetic radiation sensors to record and interpret earth observation images, highlighting advantages like up-to-date, synoptic data and the need for processing and corrections.

Download Landsat images for land use mapping in qgis using the semi-automatic classification plugin, sourcing data from USGS, NASA, and Copernicus Open Access Hub.

Create multiband stacks from Landsat 8 images in qgis, visualize true and false color composites, and use the Semi-Automatic Classification Plugin to analyze Amazon rainforest vegetation and deforestation.

Apply image enhancement in QGIS to Landsat five imagery using contrast, brightness, and histogram-based stretches, performing cosmetic edits that do not change pixel values, to improve feature visibility.

Identify NYC neighborhoods for a coffee shop using QGIS analysis tools, including job processing, shapefiles, buffers, and attribute queries. Connect results to a web mapping service.

Create a new QGIS project from an existing one by saving as chapter two, then add and zoom to a census tract shapefile as a layer by dragging it in.

Learn to select vector features by location in QGIS using the select by location tool, intersect with the New York City boundary, and save the results as a shapefile.

Learn to clip vector files in QGIS and tidy your workspace by removing unused layers, clipping New York City borough census data to borough boundaries, and saving a shapefile result.

Join census data from an Excel file to a shapefile in QGIS using a common identifier, and view attributes like population, age 18 to 49, and median household income.

Join the data to boundaries, map with symbology using graduated values, and apply a color ramp to visualize higher percentages of females aged 18–49 in New York City districts.

Plot coordinate data from a text file in qgis, transform coordinates to match the existing layers, and save as a shapefile to map coffee shops in new york city.

Learn core GIS analysis in QGIS by calculating statistical attributes and using advanced features to locate coffee shops in New York City based on density, women 18-49, and income.

Apply vector analysis in QGIS to compute mean and median percent of women aged 18-49 by New York City tracts to identify suitable tracts for coffee shops.

Count coffee shop points in each tract with QGIS, create a shapefile with a field for the count, and apply a threshold to keep tracts with two or fewer.

Copy layer symbology in QGIS to apply visual styles from one GIS layer to another, using styles, labels, and fields to enhance geospatial visualization of city demographics.

Construct an advanced attribute-table query in QGIS to select census tracts where female 18–49 share ≥ 24.6%, median income < $100,000, and coffee shops < 3, then export as shapefile.

Create a buffer around subway stations to identify accessible areas near transit within census tracts, use the xyz tile layer, then save the buffer as a shapefile and organize layers.

Apply vector analysis to perform an intersection with a buffer layer, isolating zones within walking distance of subway stations that meet neighborhood geolocation criteria for a coffee shop site.

Examine the final selected areas in QGIS, inspect attributes with identify and open attribute table, and clean up the table by editing and deleting columns before final lab analysis.

Interpret GIS results by linking contexts with OpenStreetMap in QGIS, adjust layer visibility, explore geolocated areas, and discuss criteria such as property value and distance to hubs.

Demonstrate exporting maps in QGIS with OpenStreetMap layers by capturing screenshots, adjusting extent and resolution, and saving image files for presentations and stakeholder reviews.

This lab guides you to create your first map in QGIS by loading a shapefile, applying region-based symbology, and compiling print layout with legend, scale bar, and title for export.

Learn to select optimal map colors with color brewer tool, tailoring schemes for sequential, divergent, and qualitative data, with road and city overlays and export formats for QGIS and ArcGIS.

Celebrate completing the core GIS analysis course and explore additional resources on Udemy, YouTube, and social media for further learning in remote sensing, data science, and machine learning.