Geosciences
Geographic Information Systems (GIS): Level 1
A practical introduction to GIS for those starting to use it: vector and raster data, coordinate systems, creating and editing data, queries, basic spatial analysis and map production, in QGIS and ArcGIS Pro.
Overview
About the programme
Duration
5 days
Delivery
Training hall · Virtual · At your premises
Language
Arabic or English
Objectives
Training outcomes
- Understand the components of GIS and the vector and raster data models.
- Work with the datums and projections used in Saudi Arabia and transform data between them.
- Import, create and edit data, including georeferencing scanned maps and importing coordinate tables and GPS data.
- Run attribute and spatial queries and join tables.
- Use the basic spatial analysis tools: buffer, clip, intersect and dissolve.
- Produce and export a complete map.
Content
What the programme covers
Day 1: concepts and coordinate systems
- Components and applications of GIS.
- Data models: points, lines and polygons, and raster data and its spatial resolution.
- Datums and projections: WGS 84, the UTM projection and the zones covering Saudi Arabia, and the national geodetic reference frame.
- Defining a layer’s coordinate system and reprojecting.
Day 2: data input and editing
- Data formats: shapefiles, geodatabases and GeoPackage.
- Georeferencing scanned maps with control points.
- Creating layers, digitising and editing features, and snapping rules.
- Importing coordinate tables and GPS data.
Day 3: attribute tables and queries
- Attribute tables, field types and field calculations.
- Attribute queries and spatial queries.
- Table joins and spatial joins.
- Symbology by categories and values.
Day 4: basic spatial analysis
- Buffer, clip, intersect, union and dissolve.
- Calculating areas, lengths and distances.
- Raster basics: digital elevation models, slope and hillshade.
- Applied exercise on a short project.
Day 5: map output and final project
- Map design: title, legend, scale bar, north arrow and coordinate grid.
- Export to print and image formats.
- Final project covering data preparation, analysis and map output, followed by the assessment.
Who it is for
Target audience
Engineers, technicians, planners and researchers in government bodies, companies and consultancies who are starting to use GIS in geoscience, water, the environment and urban planning.
Method
Delivery method
Hands-on computer training throughout: every exercise in QGIS with the equivalent steps in ArcGIS Pro, on training data from Saudi Arabia or on the organisation’s own data. Delivered in Arabic or English.
Questions
FAQ
Does the programme need ArcGIS licences?
The programme uses the free QGIS for every step, and ArcGIS Pro through the organisation’s licences or Esri’s trial licence, so participants can keep working after the programme without licence costs.
What is the difference between Level 1 and the advanced level?
Level 1 builds the foundation in data, coordinates, maps and simple analysis. The advanced level covers raster analysis, hydrological analysis, multi-criteria analysis and automation, and assumes command of Level 1.
Is there a certificate?
Every participant who attends the programme and passes the assessment receives a certificate of completion from Technology Experts Training Center, licensed by the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation.
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.