QGIS: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Module 1: Introduction to GIS and First Steps in QGIS

• Definition of Geographic Information Systems and overview of their practical applications.
• Projections and coordinate reference systems.
• Types of geospatial data: vector and raster.
• Basic navigation of the QGIS interface: menus, toolbars, and panels.
• Creating a simple QGIS project and loading example layers.

Module 2: Project and Layer Management in QGIS

• Layer organisation and group management.
• Importing and exporting geospatial layers.
• Basic symbology for vector and raster layers.
• Attribute queries and data selection.
• Saving and managing QGIS projects.

Module 3: Basic Vector Analysis

• Spatial operations (clip, difference, dissolve, intersection, union).
• Creation of buffer zones around points, lines, or polygons.
• Calculating polygon areas and line lengths.
• Feature extraction by location: selecting or clipping points and lines within a polygon.

Module 4: Raster Data Analysis

• Checking basic raster statistics and performing simple operations using the raster calculator.
• Extracting raster values associated with vector polygon features.
• Clipping rasters to an area of interest.

Module 5: Map Layout and Export

• Map composition and print layout design: title, legend, scale bar, north arrow, data source, borders, and margins.
• Exporting maps to PDF or image formats.
• Best practices in digital cartography: colour use, contrast, visual hierarchy, and clarity.