Instructor: Alex Quistberg, Associate Research Professor; Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health & Janelle Edwards, MPH, Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health
Dates: Monday, June 23 - Friday, June 27, 2025
Times: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EST
Format: Online, live instruction
The course is an introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course contains lectures and exercises in ArcGIS. The lectures introduce the basic concepts of GIS, data models, coordinate system and map projections, data management and processing, spatial analysis, spatial estimation, and GIS data visualization. Students will also learn how to use the fundamental knowledge and techniques of GIS to solve real-world problems. Through the exercises, students will get familiar with the interfaces and analysis tools in the ESRI software package ArcGIS. Students will also practice applying GIS as a tool and a methodological approach to spatially analyze environment and public health data.
After completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand basic concepts and terms of GIS, and know how to spatially analyze data using ArcGIS or similar software.
- Acquire spatial data that is relevant to urban health, e.g., census data, land use data, greenspace, road networks, satellite images, etc.
- Build knowledge of data structure, data management, and coordination and projection systems.
- Practice featuring symbols and making elegant maps in ArcGIS or similar software.
- Apply the knowledge of GIS to solve research questions in urban health research.
Prerequisite knowledge: None
Technical requirements: A temporary license for Esri's ArcGIS Pro will be provided for participants to install on their computers, if needed. View ArcGIS Pro system requirements. Students planning on using a Mac computer with Intel processors will need Boot Camp with Microsoft Windows installed on the partition or a virtual environment (e.g., VMWare or Parallels 15 or greater). Students with a MacBook with the Apple Silicon (i.e., M-processors), can complete the course assignments with an alternative software to ArcGIS or via virtual desktop. QGIS is open software that can be installed on PC or Mac computers.
Continuing Education Credits*: 1.5 CEU or 15 CPH
