Data Acquisition and Open Source GIS Software

This course will begin by introducing you to raster data. You will learn how to download raster data, how to perform terrain analysis; such as slope, aspect, hill shade, and contour. You will also learn how a raster calculator works and the meaning of quantum geographic information system. This will lead you to map composition and the encompassing maps in QGIS. You will become familiar with the styling, labeling, and adding of map elements to the map composition page.

Next, you will have a grasp of shapefiles using QGIS and how to label it. You will then be introduced to R software, how to download and install the R software. You will gain an understanding of the R interface, the different data types in R, and the basic functionalities that can be performed using the R software. You will assimilate how open-source software is designed and how it actually compares with proprietary software. You will then understand how an open-source standard is being built.

Lastly, you will be brought up to speed with the open geospatial consortium, which is a consortium responsible for the development of standardization. You will familiarize yourself with how it evolved as an organization, its domains, standards, and organizational structure. You will also become familiar with how to become a member of the OGC and how a collaboration of particular standardization can happen through OGC. This will further help you acquire more skills on how to create a WMS layer using QGIS, creating an SLD file, and how to integrate this SLD file into GeoServer.