Module 1: Introduction to Python for GIS Automation

• Why Python for GIS? Benefits and applications
• Setting up the Python environment (Anaconda, virtual environments)
• Introduction to Python syntax, data types, and variables
• Control flow: if/else statements, loops (for, while)
• Functions: defining and calling functions, parameters, return values
• Practical session: Setting up a Python environment and writing basic Python scripts for simple calculations

Module 2: Python Fundamentals for Geospatial Data

• Working with lists, tuples, dictionaries, and sets
• Reading and writing text files (CSV, TXT)
• Introduction to NumPy for numerical operations
• Introduction to Pandas for tabular data manipulation
• Handling paths and file operations with os and pathlib modules
• Practical session: Reading and processing tabular GIS data (e.g., CSV with coordinates) using Pandas

Module 3: Working with Vector Data using GeoPandas and Fiona

• Introduction to GeoPandas: GeoDataFrames and GeoSeries
• Reading and writing vector data (Shapefiles, GeoJSON, KML, GPKG)
• Understanding Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS) and transformations
• Basic geometric operations with Shapely (e.g., buffer, intersect, union)
• Spatial queries and selections
• Practical session: Loading, manipulating, and saving vector data using GeoPandas and Shapely

Module 4: Working with Raster Data using Rasterio and GDAL

• Introduction to raster data models and structures
• Reading and writing raster data (GeoTIFF, ASCII Grid) with Rasterio
• Raster properties: NoData, cell size, extents
• Basic raster operations: clipping, resampling, reprojecting
• Introduction to GDAL/OGR for advanced raster and vector operations
• Practical session: Loading and performing basic operations on a raster dataset using Rasterio

Module 5: Automating Geoprocessing with ArcPy (for ArcGIS Users)

• Introduction to ArcPy module and its capabilities
• Executing geoprocessing tools from ArcPy
• Working with ArcPy environment settings
• Accessing feature classes, tables, and geodatabases
• Iterating through data using cursors (SearchCursor, UpdateCursor, InsertCursor)
• Practical session: Automating common geoprocessing tasks (e.g., buffering, clipping) using ArcPy

Module 6: Automating Geoprocessing with PyQGIS (for QGIS Users)

• Introduction to PyQGIS and the QGIS Processing Framework
• Running processing algorithms from PyQGIS
• Accessing layers and map canvases
• Working with vector and raster layers in QGIS scripts
• Creating standalone PyQGIS applications
• Practical session: Automating a sequence of geoprocessing tools in QGIS using PyQGIS

Module 7: Spatial Analysis Automation with Python

• Proximity analysis (buffers, near, distances)
• Overlay analysis (intersect, union, erase)
• Network analysis fundamentals
• Density analysis and interpolation
• Raster surface analysis (slope, aspect, hillshade)
• Practical session: Scripting a multi-step spatial analysis workflow (e.g., site suitability analysis)

Module 8: Data Management and Conversion Automation

• Automating data import and export
• Converting between different geospatial data formats
• Batch processing multiple datasets
• Managing feature datasets and tables
• Renaming, deleting, and copying spatial data
• Practical session: Developing a script to convert multiple shapefiles to GeoJSON and organize them

Module 9: Creating and Managing Geodatabases and Workspaces

• Introduction to geodatabase types and structures
• Creating and managing file geodatabases
• Working with feature datasets, feature classes, and tables within a geodatabase
• Automating domain and subtype creation
• Best practices for geodatabase management with Python
• Practical session: Scripting the creation of a new file geodatabase structure with feature classes

Module 10: Error Handling and Debugging in GIS Scripts

• Understanding common Python errors and exceptions
• Using try-except blocks for robust scripting
• Logging errors and messages
• Debugging techniques: print statements, debuggers (e.g., in VS Code, PyCharm)
• Best practices for writing resilient GIS scripts
• Practical session: Implementing error handling in a complex GIS script and debugging issues

Module 11: Iteration and Batch Processing in GIS

• Looping through datasets in a folder or geodatabase
• Processing features within a layer
• Batch processing tools and techniques
• Automating report generation from spatial analysis results
• Using iterators for efficient data access
• Practical session: Creating a script to batch process and analyze multiple input datasets

Module 12: Building Custom GIS Tools with Python

• Designing user interfaces for scripts (e.g., argparse for command line, tkinter for simple GUIs)
• Creating script tools within ArcGIS Pro/ArcMap
• Building custom processing scripts for QGIS
• Packaging Python scripts for distribution
• Creating Python toolboxes (for ArcGIS)
• Practical session: Developing a custom geoprocessing tool with user inputs

Module 13: Creating Interactive GIS Applications with Python

• Introduction to web mapping libraries (e.g., Folium, ipyleaflet)
• Integrating Python analysis with web maps
• Building simple dashboard-like applications for GIS data
• Using interactive widgets for spatial data exploration
• Deploying simple web applications locally
• Practical session: Creating an interactive web map with spatial analysis results using Folium

Module 14: Web GIS Automation and Publishing

• Introduction to ArcGIS API for Python (for ArcGIS Online/Enterprise users)
• Managing content, users, and groups in Web GIS
• Publishing web layers and maps programmatically
• Automating data updates to web services
• Introduction to open-source web mapping frameworks (e.g., Flask with Leaflet)
• Practical session: Scripting the publishing of a GIS layer to an ArcGIS Online account (or similar web GIS platform)

Module 15: Integrating Python GIS with Other Libraries

• Statistical analysis with SciPy and Statsmodels on geospatial data
• Data visualization with Matplotlib and Seaborn for spatial insights
• Introduction to Machine Learning for spatial data (Scikit-learn)
• Connecting to databases (e.g., PostGIS) with Psycopg2 or SQLAlchemy
• Using Requests for accessing web APIs with spatial data
• Practical session: Performing a statistical analysis on spatial data and visualizing the results

Module 16: Version Control and Collaborative Development

• Introduction to Version Control Systems (VCS) with Git
• Basic Git commands (clone, add, commit, push, pull)
• Using GitHub/GitLab for collaborative GIS script development
• Branching and merging workflows
• Best practices for managing GIS projects with VCS
• Practical session: Setting up a Git repository for a GIS project and performing basic version control operations

Module 17: Performance Optimization for GIS Scripts

• Identifying bottlenecks in Python GIS scripts
• Techniques for improving script performance (e.g., efficient data access, optimized loops)
• Using appropriate data structures
• Parallel processing for large datasets
• Memory management considerations
• Practical session: Optimizing an existing script to improve its execution time for a large dataset

Module 18: Deploying and Maintaining GIS Automation Solutions

• Packaging and distributing Python GIS applications
• Scheduling scripts for automated execution (e.g., Windows Task Scheduler, Cron jobs)
• Monitoring script performance and logs
• Maintaining and updating existing automation solutions
• Documentation best practices for GIS scripts
• Practical session: Deploying a completed GIS automation script and setting up a scheduled task for it

Requirements:

·       Participants should be reasonably proficient in English.

·       Applicants must live up to Armstrong Global Institute admission criteria.

Terms and Conditions

1. Discounts: Organizations sponsoring Four Participants will have the 5th attend Free

2. What is catered for by the Course Fees: Fees cater for all requirements for the training – Learning materials, Lunches, Teas, Snacks and Certification. All participants will additionally cater for their travel and accommodation expenses, visa application, insurance, and other personal expenses.

3. Certificate Awarded: Participants are awarded Certificates of Participation at the end of the training.

4. The program content shown here is for guidance purposes only. Our continuous course improvement process may lead to changes in topics and course structure.

5. Approval of Course: Our Programs are NITA Approved. Participating organizations can therefore claim reimbursement on fees paid in accordance with NITA Rules.

Booking for Training

Simply send an email to the Training Officer on training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com and we will send you a registration form. We advise you to book early to avoid missing a seat to this training.

Or call us on +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588

Payment Options

We provide 3 payment options, choose one for your convenience, and kindly make payments at least 5 days before the Training start date to reserve your seat:

1. Groups of 5 People and Above – Cheque Payments to: Armstrong Global Training & Development Center Limited should be paid in advance, 5 days to the training.

2. Invoice: We can send a bill directly to you or your company.

3. Deposit directly into Bank Account (Account details provided upon request)

Cancellation Policy

1. Payment for all courses includes a registration fee, which is non-refundable, and equals 15% of the total sum of the course fee.

2. Participants may cancel attendance 14 days or more prior to the training commencement date.

3. No refunds will be made 14 days or less before the training commencement date. However, participants who are unable to attend may opt to attend a similar training course at a later date or send a substitute participant provided the participation criteria have been met.

Tailor Made Courses

This training course can also be customized for your institution upon request for a minimum of 5 participants. You can have it conducted at our Training Centre or at a convenient location. For further inquiries, please contact us on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588 or Email training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com

Accommodation and Airport Transfer

Accommodation and Airport Transfer is arranged upon request and at extra cost. For reservations contact the Training Officer on Email: training@armstrongglobalinstitute.com or on Tel: +254720272325 / +254725012095 / +254724452588