GEOG 4150 - Geospatial Big Data

Our society collects data at increasing volume, velocity, and variety due to rapidly advancing technologies such as social media, GPS, mobile devices, and remote sensing. Big data may contain crucial information for solving issues in the natural and social sciences, environment, inequality, public health, or engineering. However, our ability to make sense of the constant data stream is lagging behind our ability to collect and store it. For instance, geographic data cannot be analyzed easily using standard GIS or database software. In this course, you learn three essential skills for solving geographic problems using big data and modern computing infrastructure: 1) managing geospatial data (database), 2) leveraging the web (web GIS), and 3) using cloud-based computing services (cloud computing). We focus on the fundamentals of database design and data management to support GIS and other spatial applications. With the internet being the main source of information and communication for many people, the demand for accessing information via maps is increasing at a rapid pace. GIS is quickly moving towards a web-based environment where everyone can access GIS data/functionality regardless of location and GIS skill level. This course provides an overview of web GIS and associated techniques to leverage web technologies for spatial analysis. Cloud computing is a fundamental component of modern IT infrastructure and application design. You learn about the design and implementation of cloud computing environments and apply the concepts in a lab environment.