GIS and Spatial Data Science

PUB AFF X 405

This course exposes students to the foundations of spatial data science using Python. It examines the components of data’s journey—acquisition, exploration, modeling, and communication through visualization—to advance policy analysis.

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What you can learn.

Demonstrate the value of data through discovery, exploration, and analysis
Visualize data spatially to communicate the importance of place-based informatics
Critically evaluate data and create frameworks to prepare data for research
Use legal resources to formulate arguments trading technology
Apply data science programming techniques to transform data into useful information
Produce publication-ready materials in the form of tables, charts, and maps

About this course:

The goal for this course is to expose you to the foundations of spatial data science. Where once there was a dearth of available digital information, we now live in a world of too much data. How can these data be transformed to human expressions and narratives that are utilized in planning? We begin with an introduction to various data science tools, and review the basics of programming with Python. Once a foundation of Python programming and data wrangling is achieved, spatial analysis through Python Libraries, and subsequently, through advanced geoprocessing will be introduced. All lessons will be based on “real” data with analytical methods addressing relevant and contemporary urban problems. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to critically describe, analyze, and visualize spatial data for planning practices and research. In addition to the programming lab sessions, you will be given weekly or bi-weekly "thinking cap" assignments, where you will be asked to think critically about contemporary urban issues. Be prepared to address various topics from the perspective of your own lived experiences, how it informs the topic, and what kind of research can advance knowledge in a positive way. While there are no prerequisites for taking this course, people who are approaching programming for the first time will admittedly find the course to be intense and challenging.