Maps and the Geospatial Revolution (Coursera)

Maps and the Geospatial Revolution (Coursera)

This course brings together core concepts in cartography, geographic information systems, and spatial thinking with real-world examples to provide the fundamentals necessary to engage with Geography beyond the surface-level. We will explore what makes spatial information special, how spatial data is created, how spatial analysis is conducted, and how to design maps so that they’re effective at telling the stories we wish to share. To gain experience using this knowledge, we will work with the latest mapping and analysis software to explore geographic problems.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Learn how advances in geospatial technology and analytical methods have changed how we do everything, and discover how to make maps and analyze geographic patterns using the latest tools. The past decade has seen an explosion of new mechanisms for understanding and using location information in widely-accessible technologies. This Geospatial Revolution has resulted in the development of consumer GPS tools, interactive web maps, and location-aware mobile devices. These radical advances are making it possible for people from all walks of life to use, collect, and understand spatial information like never before.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Getting Started
Watch a short video to learn how this class works (it's a bit different than other MOOCs) and help make a map with your classmates.
The Changing Nature of Place
Discover the Geospatial Revolution and its impact on the rapidly evolving science of Geography.

WEEK 2
Spatial is Special
Explore what it means to think spatially and consider the impacts of scale and time.

WEEK 3
Understanding Spatial Data
Examine the key elements of spatial datasets.

WEEK 4
Doing Spatial Analysis
Learn how Geographers solve problems using spatial analysis techniques.

WEEK 5
Making Great Maps
Explore the key elements of effective cartographic design.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau (Coursera)

One of the skills that characterizes great business data analysts is the ability to communicate practical implications of quantitative analyses to any kind of audience member. Even the most sophisticated statistical analyses are not useful to a business if they do not lead to actionable advice, or if the answers to those business questions are not conveyed in a way that non-technical people can understand. In this course you will learn how to become a master at communicating business-relevant implications of data analyses.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mastering Data Analysis in Excel (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Mastering Data Analysis in Excel (Coursera)

Important: The focus of this course is on math - specifically, data-analysis concepts and methods - not on Excel for its own sake. We use Excel to do our calculations, and all math formulas are given as Excel Spreadsheets, but we do not attempt to cover Excel Macros, Visual Basic, Pivot Tables, or other intermediate-to-advanced Excel functionality. This course will prepare you to design and implement realistic predictive models based on data. In the Final Project (module 6) you will assume the role of a business data analyst for a bank, and develop two different predictive models to determine which applicants for credit cards should be accepted and which rejected. Your first model will focus on minimizing default risk, and your second on maximizing bank profits.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Bioinformatic Methods I (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

Bioinformatic Methods I (Coursera)

Large-scale biology projects such as the sequencing of the human genome and gene expression surveys using RNA-seq, microarrays and other technologies have created a wealth of data for biologists. However, the challenge facing scientists is analyzing and even accessing these data to extract useful information pertaining to the system being studied. This course focuses on employing existing bioinformatic resources – mainly web-based programs and databases – to access the wealth of data to answer questions relevant to the average biologist, and is highly hands-on.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Foundations of marketing analytics (Coursera) Coursera
ESSEC Business School

Foundations of marketing analytics (Coursera)

Who is this course for? This course is designed for students, business analysts, and data scientists who want to apply statistical knowledge and techniques to business contexts. For example, it may be suited to experienced statisticians, analysts, engineers who want to move more into a business role, in particular in marketing. You will find this course exciting and rewarding if you already have a background in statistics, can use R or another programming language and are familiar with databases and data analysis techniques such as regression, classification, and clustering. However, it contains a number of recitals and R Studio tutorials which will consolidate your competences, enable you to play more freely with data and explore new features and statistical functions in R.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Éléments de Géomatique (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Éléments de Géomatique (Coursera)

Les nouvelles technologies de l’information ont facilité l’accès à de nombreuses bases de données offrant au grand public, mais surtout aux professionnels, une multitude de services. Le domaine de l’information géographique a également suivi ce mouvement en modernisant l’ensemble des supports, des plans, des cartes topographiques et de tous les types de données à référence spatiale. Face au déploiement massif des cartes numériques et des nombreux services basés sur la localisation, il s’agit de rester critique et surtout de développer les capacités nécessaires afin de choisir les outils et jeux de géodonnées adaptés aux besoins professionnels.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Bioinformatic Methods II (Coursera) Coursera
University of Toronto

Bioinformatic Methods II (Coursera)

Large-scale biology projects such as the sequencing of the human genome and gene expression surveys using RNA-seq, microarrays and other technologies have created a wealth of data for biologists. However, the challenge facing scientists is analyzing and even accessing these data to extract useful information pertaining to the system being studied. This course focuses on employing existing bioinformatic resources – mainly web-based programs and databases – to access the wealth of data to answer questions relevant to the average biologist, and is highly hands-on.

Jun 29th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Managing Data Analysis (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Managing Data Analysis (Coursera)

This one-week course describes the process of analyzing data and how to manage that process. We describe the iterative nature of data analysis and the role of stating a sharp question, exploratory data analysis, inference, formal statistical modeling, interpretation, and communication. In addition, we will describe how to direct analytic activities within a team and to drive the data analysis process towards coherent and useful results.

Jun 29th 2026
1 Week
Introduction to Big Data (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, San Diego

Introduction to Big Data (Coursera)

Interested in increasing your knowledge of the Big Data landscape? This course is for those new to data science and interested in understanding why the Big Data Era has come to be. It is for those who want to become conversant with the terminology and the core concepts behind big data problems, applications, and systems. It is for those who want to start thinking about how Big Data might be useful in their business or career. It provides an introduction to one of the most common frameworks, Hadoop, that has made big data analysis easier and more accessible -- increasing the potential for data to transform our world!

Jun 29th 2026
3 Weeks
Share Data Through the Art of Visualization (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Share Data Through the Art of Visualization (Coursera)

This is the sixth course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. These courses will equip you with the skills needed to apply to introductory-level data analyst jobs. You’ll learn how to visualize and present your data findings as you complete the data analysis process. This course will show you how data visualizations, such as visual dashboards, can help bring your data to life. You’ll also explore Tableau, a data visualization platform that will help you create effective visualizations for your presentations.

Jun 30th 2026
4 Weeks
Data Analysis Tools (Coursera) Coursera
Wesleyan University

Data Analysis Tools (Coursera)

In this course, you will develop and test hypotheses about your data. You will learn a variety of statistical tests, as well as strategies to know how to apply the appropriate one to your specific data and question. Using your choice of two powerful statistical software packages (SAS or Python), you will explore ANOVA, Chi-Square, and Pearson correlation analysis. This course will guide you through basic statistical principles to give you the tools to answer questions you have developed. Throughout the course, you will share your progress with others to gain valuable feedback and provide insight to other learners about their work.

Jun 29th 2026
4 Weeks
Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere (Coursera)

This is the first course in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. These courses will equip you with the skills you need to apply to introductory-level data analyst jobs. Organizations of all kinds need data analysts to help them improve their processes, identify opportunities and trends, launch new products, and make thoughtful decisions. In this course, you’ll be introduced to the world of data analytics through hands-on curriculum developed by Google. The material shared covers plenty of key data analytics topics, and it’s designed to give you an overview of what’s to come in the Google Data Analytics Certificate. Current Google data analysts will instruct and provide you with hands-on ways to accomplish common data analyst tasks with the best tools and resources.

Jun 30th 2026
5-12 Weeks