Geosciences
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Advanced Level — Analysis and Processing
A programme for GIS users who have completed Level 1 or its equivalent: raster analysis and elevation models, hydrological analysis, multi-criteria suitability analysis, interpolation, geodatabases and data quality, and workflow automation with graphical models and Python.
Overview
About the programme
Duration
5 days
Delivery
Training hall · Virtual · At your premises
Language
Arabic or English
Objectives
Training outcomes
- Carry out raster analysis: reclassification, map algebra and zonal statistics.
- Derive terrain parameters, drainage networks and catchments from digital elevation models.
- Build a multi-criteria suitability analysis by weighting and overlay.
- Produce continuous surfaces from point measurements by interpolation and assess their accuracy.
- Control spatial data quality: topology, metadata and consistent reference systems.
- Automate workflows with graphical models and Python scripts.
Content
What the programme covers
Day 1: raster analysis
- Vector-to-raster and raster-to-vector conversion, and choice of cell size.
- Reclassification, map algebra, and local and neighbourhood analysis.
- Zonal statistics and extracting values to points.
Day 2: elevation models and hydrological analysis
- Sources and accuracy of digital elevation models, and filling sinks.
- Flow direction and accumulation, stream extraction and ordering, and catchment delineation.
- Terrain parameters: slope, aspect, curvature and viewshed.
- Application to wadis in Saudi Arabia.
Day 3: multi-criteria analysis and interpolation
- Suitability analysis: standardising criteria, weighting, weighted overlay and sensitivity analysis.
- Interpolation methods: inverse distance, splines and basic kriging.
- Cross-validation and assessing the accuracy of the resulting surfaces.
Day 4: geodatabases and data quality
- Geodatabase design: feature classes, domains, subtypes and relationships.
- Topology rules, and finding and correcting errors.
- Metadata and harmonising datums and projections within one project.
Day 5: automation and final project
- Graphical models in QGIS and ModelBuilder in ArcGIS Pro.
- Python basics in PyQGIS and ArcPy for repetitive tasks.
- Final project combining raster, hydrological and suitability analysis, followed by the assessment.
Who it is for
Target audience
GIS users in geoscience, water, the environment and planning who work with GIS regularly and need analysis and processing.
Method
Delivery method
Hands-on computer training throughout, with parallel steps in QGIS and ArcGIS Pro, on training data or on the organisation’s own data. Delivered in Arabic or English.
Questions
FAQ
What is the prerequisite for this level?
Completion of Level 1 or equivalent practical experience: working with layers, coordinates, attribute tables and queries, and producing maps.
Do participants need to know programming?
No. The programme teaches the Python basics needed to automate repetitive tasks, and offers graphical models as an alternative for those who do not program.
Can the final project be built on our own data?
Yes, if the data reaches the centre early enough before delivery to prepare the project on it.
A programme tailored to your organisation
The duration and topics of the programme are adjusted to the organisation's needs, and it is delivered at its site, in a training hall arranged by the Center, or virtually.