Introduction to GIS for Social Sciences

This course teaches students from all backgrounds and abilities how to use GIS to analyze spatially located data in social sciences and a variety of research areas, such as public health, history, criminology, economics, emergency planning, environmental studies, and political science. The course targets beginner students and participants who do not have any previous knowledge of Geography or Geomatics. It provides students with an overview of methodologies and techniques to use location-based information in datasets and improve analysis and patterns’ visualization. The course offers an easy, hands-on introduction to spatial analysis using ESRI ArcGIS.

Instructor: Ismael Foroughi (view the up-to-date syllabus)
Prerequisite: None

Why take this course?

• Familiarize yourself with applications of GIS in different research areas and administrative settings.
• Understand the fundamental concepts of GIS, including essential mapping, coordinate systems, buffering, data-linkage, types of geo-coded data, and georeferencing.
• Learn how to apply the software Arc-GIS to data collection, integration, map production, and spatial analysis. 

Course details

Students have six months from the registration date to complete the course. All course exams and/or assignments must be completed by the designated end date.

Assignments and examinations

• 5 x Quizzes (20% total)
• 4 x Assignments (50% total)
• 1 x Final Project (20% total)
• 1 x Final Test (20% total)

Fees and payments

There is a $150 non-refundable/non-transferable online fee per course in addition to applicable tuition & fees. Learn more about tuition and fees and methods of payment.