GIS Mapping and Spatial Analysis using QGIS Training Course

This course equips participants with practical skills to map and analyze spatial data using QGIS, a free and open-source GIS. It focuses on data handling, processing tools, spatial analysis, cartography, plugins, and sharing results at low software cost.

Target Groups

• GIS analysts and officers
• Environmental and conservation practitioners
• Planners and municipal staff
• Researchers and students
• NGO and community mapping teams
• Public health and agriculture staff
• Managers and supervisors seeking to strengthen organizational practice in this field
• Consultants and professionals supporting related organizations

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Install and navigate QGIS and manage projects
• Load and manage vector, raster, and tabular data
• Work with coordinate reference systems
• Digitize and edit spatial features
• Perform geoprocessing and vector analysis
• Analyze raster and elevation data
• Use the Processing Toolbox and graphical modeler
• Apply plugins and open-source data sources
• Create print layouts and thematic maps
• Share data and maps using open standards

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to QGIS

• Open source GIS ecosystem
• Interface and projects
• Layers panel and browser
• Data formats
• Plugins overview

Module 2: Data Loading and Coordinate Reference Systems

• Adding vector and raster layers
• Delimited text and web services
• CRS concepts
• On-the-fly reprojection
• Saving data in new CRS

Module 3: Digitizing and Editing

• Creating layers
• Editing tools
• Snapping and topology checker
• Attribute table management
• Field calculator

Module 4: Vector Analysis and Geoprocessing

• Buffer, clip, and dissolve
• Intersect and union
• Spatial joins
• Join by attribute
• Batch processing

Module 5: Raster Analysis

• Raster basics
• Reclassification and raster calculator
• Terrain analysis
• Zonal statistics
• Georeferencing

Module 6: Processing Toolbox and Automation

• Processing algorithms
• Graphical modeler
• Simple PyQGIS scripts
• Saving workflows
• Using GRASS and SAGA tools

Module 7: Cartography and Layout Design

• Symbology and classification
• Labeling
• Print layout composer
• Atlas generation
• Exporting maps

Module 8: Open Data and Web Services

• OpenStreetMap data
• WMS and WFS services
• Satellite imagery sources
• Data licensing
• Plugin-based data access

Module 9: Sharing and Project Management

• Data management practices
• Project packaging
• Publishing web maps
• Collaboration tools
• Documentation

Module 10: Practical Exercises and Capstone Project

• Setting up a QGIS project with open data
• Digitizing and analyzing spatial data
• Building an automated workflow
• Producing a final thematic map
• Presenting findings to a mock community or client