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A practical introductory course on geographic information systems and ArcGIS Pro. Participants learn how to manage, visualise, edit, and analyse spatial data and create informative maps for digital and printed output.
You will learn the fundamental principles of geographic information systems and become familiar with the main work areas of ArcGIS Pro. You will create projects and maps, add different types of geospatial data, and present spatial information using suitable symbology and labelling.
You will also create and edit geometries and attributes, work with projections and coordinate systems, and conduct fundamental spatial and tabular queries and analyses. Finally, you will create professional map layouts and prepare your results for export and sharing.
By the end of the course, you will be able to use ArcGIS Pro confidently for essential geospatial data management, mapping, data editing, and spatial analysis tasks.
• Understand the fundamental principles and applications of geographic information systems
• Use the ArcGIS Pro interface and project structure confidently
• Add vector, raster, and tabular data to maps
• Manage and organise geospatial data systematically
• Apply suitable symbology and labelling to spatial data
• Create datasets and features and edit existing information
• Filter, query, join, and calculate attribute data
• Assign and use projections and coordinate systems correctly
• Apply fundamental spatial analysis tools
• Create, export, and share professional map layouts
• Basic confidence in using Windows
• No previous GIS or ArcGIS Pro experience is required
• A basic understanding of maps and spatial relationships is helpful
*We customize the course outline and content to your specific needs and relevant use cases.
Module 1: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Definition and fundamental principles of a geographic information system
• Distinguishing spatial from non-spatial information
• Typical applications of GIS in public administration, planning, and analysis
• Understanding GIS as a combination of data, software, methods, and users
• Maps as tools for analysis and communication
• Capabilities and limitations of geographic information systems
Module 2: Introduction to ArcGIS Pro
• Overview of the ArcGIS platform
• ArcGIS Pro as a modern desktop GIS application
• Differences between ArcGIS Pro and earlier ArcGIS Desktop applications
• Understanding the interface, ribbon, and contextual tabs
• Using views, panes, and essential working functions
• Understanding maps, scenes, layouts, toolboxes, and other project items
• Configuring ArcGIS Pro settings and the working environment
Module 3: Creating and Managing Projects
• Creating a new ArcGIS Pro project
• Using project templates and start options
• Adding maps and layouts to a project
• Creating folder and database connections
• Using the Catalogue pane and Catalogue view
• Finding, organising, and renaming project content
• Understanding the default geodatabase and toolbox
• Saving, backing up, and reopening projects
Module 4: Fundamentals of Geographic Data
• Distinguishing vector and raster data
• Understanding point, line, and polygon geometry
• Geometry and attributes as components of a feature
• Continuous and discrete spatial information
• Understanding scale, resolution, and accuracy
• Considering metadata and data provenance
• Selecting suitable data models for different questions
Module 5: Geospatial Data Formats and Sources
• Distinguishing shapefiles, feature classes, and geodatabases
• Using raster, image, and elevation data
• Adding CSV, Excel, and other tabular data
• Introduction to web layers and online data sources
• Adding data from folders, geodatabases, and portals
• Checking dataset properties and spatial references
• Assessing the advantages and limitations of different formats
Module 6: Managing Data with Catalogue Functions
• Finding geospatial data in the Catalogue pane and Catalogue view
• Creating folder and geodatabase structures
• Copying, renaming, and deleting datasets
• Creating file geodatabases and feature classes
• Converting data between different formats
• Maintaining metadata and dataset descriptions
• Repairing and updating data connections
• Organising geospatial data clearly and consistently
Module 7: Creating Maps and Organising Layers
• Creating new maps
• Adding vector, raster, and tabular data
• Controlling layer order and visibility
• Using group layers to organise content
• Selecting suitable basemaps
• Defining the extent, scale, and geographical focus
• Examining layer properties and data sources
• Organising maps for different tasks
Module 8: Displaying Geographic Information
• Applying unique-value and categorical symbology
• Representing numerical values with colours and symbol sizes
• Using classified and graduated symbology
• Configuring colour ramps, transparency, and outlines
• Adjusting point, line, and polygon symbols
• Controlling symbology through attribute values
• Using scale-dependent display
• Assessing the clarity and effectiveness of a map
Module 9: Labels and Pop-Ups
• Enabling labels for layers
• Using label fields and expressions
• Configuring font, colour, size, and placement
• Reducing conflicts and overlaps
• Creating label classes for different features
• Controlling labels by scale
• Configuring pop-ups for map features
• Presenting relevant information clearly
Module 10: Projections and Coordinate Systems
• Fundamentals of spatial reference systems
• Distinguishing geographic and projected coordinate systems
• Checking the coordinate system of a map and dataset
• Understanding the effects of projections on shape, area, and distance
• Recognising missing spatial references
• Understanding the difference between defining and projecting data
• Displaying data with different coordinate systems together
• Selecting suitable spatial references for practical applications
Module 11: Creating New Datasets
• Creating feature classes in a geodatabase
• Defining geometry type and coordinate system
• Creating attribute fields and selecting data types
• Using field names, descriptions, and default values
• Creating new tables
• Preparing data structures for practical collection tasks
• Considering naming and storage standards
Module 12: Creating and Editing Features
• Introduction to the editing environment and tools
• Creating point, line, and polygon features
• Using feature templates
• Configuring snapping
• Moving, rotating, and scaling geometries
• Splitting or merging lines and polygons
• Editing vertices and feature shapes
• Saving, reviewing, or discarding edits
Module 13: Working with Attribute Tables
• Opening and structuring attribute tables
• Sorting and filtering records
• Selecting records and features
• Adding and editing attribute values
• Adding new fields
• Calculating field values
• Creating statistics and summaries
• Connecting spatial and tabular selections
Module 14: Joining Tables and Creating Relationships
• Identifying shared key fields
• Creating table joins
• Using table relationships
• Distinguishing one-to-one and one-to-many relationships
• Combining external tables with geospatial data
• Using joined information for symbology and analysis
• Identifying common problems with key fields
Module 15: Queries and Data Selection
• Selecting features by attribute values
• Creating simple SQL expressions
• Combining multiple conditions
• Selecting features through spatial relationships
• Selecting by distance, intersection, or adjacency
• Combining attribute and spatial selections
• Exporting a selection as a new dataset
• Reviewing and documenting query results
Module 16: Introduction to Geoprocessing
• Purpose and structure of geoprocessing tools
• Finding suitable tools and saving favourites
• Defining inputs, parameters, and outputs
• Creating buffers
• Clipping and overlaying data
• Merging and dissolving features
• Converting and managing data
• Reviewing processing results and messages
Module 17: Fundamentals of Spatial Analysis
• Translating spatial questions into analytical steps
• Examining proximity, overlap, and spatial relationships
• Using buffers and zones of influence
• Combining information spatially
• Calculating areas, lengths, and other geometry values
• Visualising and interpreting analytical results
• Considering data quality and analytical limitations
Module 18: Working with Raster and Image Data
• Adding raster data and aerial imagery
• Checking properties, cell size, and resolution
• Adjusting contrast, brightness, and transparency
• Using classified and stretched display methods
• Recognising NoData areas
• Combining raster and vector data
• Applying simple raster functions
• Preparing raster data for mapping and analysis
Module 19: Map Creation and Layout Design
• Creating a layout with a suitable page format
• Adding and configuring map frames
• Adding titles, legends, scale bars, and north arrows
• Including sources, dates, and other text
• Aligning and structuring layout elements
• Simplifying and improving legends
• Adding overview maps or multiple map frames
• Saving layouts for recurring map products
Module 20: Output, Export, and Sharing
• Preparing map layouts for screen and print output
• Using PDF, PNG, JPEG, and other export formats
• Defining resolution, image quality, and transparency
• Sharing maps and data through packages
• Considering project dependencies and data sources
• Publishing content to ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise
• Checking access and sharing settings
• Providing results for different audiences
Module 21: Introduction to 3D with ArcGIS Pro
• Distinguishing maps from scenes
• Creating local and global scenes
• Using terrain and elevation data
• Displaying two-dimensional features in a 3D environment
• Extruding buildings and areas from attribute values
• Adjusting lighting, perspective, and camera position
• Moving between 2D and 3D views
• Exploring applications of 3D visualisation
Module 22: Practical Project – From Data to Finished Map
• Setting up a new ArcGIS Pro project
• Adding and organising suitable geospatial data
• Applying symbology and labels
• Creating features and attributes
• Querying data through attributes and spatial relationships
• Conducting a fundamental spatial analysis
• Creating a professional map layout
• Exporting and reviewing the results
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