Who is this Micro-credential for?? 

• If you work with spatial data and maps and would like to have the ability to analyse this data and create your own maps and new spatial information, then this micro-credential is for you. 

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used in many professions and industries, from engineering and environmental science to history and tourism to local authorities and provision of utilities, wherever spatial information is important, where maps may be used as a key means of communication of information, and where analysis of the spatial data provides valuable new information.

 

Why should I take this Micro-credential?? 

• This micro-credential will enable the student to get a practical introduction to the QGIS open-source software and will use the software to address an issue in their field. Examples of projects completed by students recently include the identification of the best location for a new waste-to-energy plant, a study of the relationship between tree cover and household income, the siting of a new mass-vaccination centre, a study of the effect of green-ways on the local population. In each of these, publicly available spatial data was used to investigate a topical issue.

• The production of good informative maps and the analysis of spatial data are valuable but scarce skill sets. With developments in GPS, mobile devices, and software, organisations are now collecting more and more spatial data and need spatial specialists to manage, analyse and report this data. Local authorities, civil engineering consultancies, environmental agencies, utility companies, among others, are increasing their use of GIS to manage their valuable spatial data.