Available courses

Apply Principles of GIS

Apply Principles of GIS (Moodle Classroom)

Free companion course for dual learning. Complete each topic in the LMS portal or in the Moodle classroom — either track counts toward your course progress and certificate.

Introduction to GIS

A free, self-paced introduction to Geographic Information Systems for beginners. Learn what GIS is, how spatial data works, coordinate systems, and how to start mapping with free and open-source tools. Includes downloadable QGIS study materials.

Land Law (Kenya)

Understand the legal framework that governs land and surveying in Kenya — Constitution, Land Acts, registration, subdivision, disputes and ethical practice.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Introduction to Land Law in Kenya

  • Meaning and scope of land law
  • Sources of law and constitutional foundations
  • Land ownership and tenure
  • Classification of land
  • Relationship between land law and surveying

2. Constitutional Framework for Land

  • Article 60: principles of land policy
  • Article 61: classification of land
  • Article 62: public land
  • Article 63: community land
  • Article 64: private land
  • Article 40: protection of property rights

3. Land Tenure and Property Rights

  • Freehold and leasehold interests
  • Customary land interests and community land
  • Public and private land
  • Ownership and use rights
  • Easements, wayleaves, restrictions and encumbrances

4. Land Registration in Kenya

  • Land registration principles and registration of interests
  • Title documents and land registers
  • Parcel identifiers and registered interests
  • Transfers, charges, cautions and restrictions
  • Correction of records and roles of land registries

5. Land Registration Act, 2012

  • Registration procedures and register entries
  • Registered proprietorship and rights
  • Overriding interests
  • Rectification of the register
  • Responsibilities of land registrars
  • Relationship between cadastral records and registered interests

6. Land Act, 2012

  • Administration of public land
  • Leases, grants and interests in land
  • Compulsory acquisition
  • Easements and related interests
  • Allocation and use of land
  • Statutory procedures and compensation principles

7. Land Administration Institutions

  • National Land Commission and its statutory mandate
  • Ministry responsible for lands
  • Survey of Kenya and Director of Surveys
  • Land registries and county governments
  • Institutional responsibilities and referral pathways

8. Survey Act and Survey Regulations

  • Legal framework governing surveys
  • Survey instructions, standards and records
  • Boundaries and survey marks
  • Survey plan requirements
  • Professional responsibilities, licensing and authorization
  • Consequences of non-compliance

9. Land Subdivision, Mutation and Amalgamation

  • Legal requirements for subdivision
  • Development permission and planning approvals
  • Mutation documentation and amalgamation
  • Access, easements and wayleaves
  • Survey approval and registration workflows
  • Interaction between county planning and national land institutions

10. Boundaries, Encroachment and Disputes

  • General and fixed boundaries
  • Boundary evidence and records
  • Encroachment and boundary disputes
  • Missing or displaced beacons
  • Statutory dispute-resolution mechanisms
  • Role of land registrars, courts and competent authorities

11. Community Land and Customary Interests

  • Community Land Act, 2016
  • Recognition and registration of community land
  • Community land management structures
  • Customary land rights and decision-making
  • Conversion of land interests
  • Implications for surveying and administration

12. Compulsory Acquisition and Wayleaves

  • Public-purpose acquisition and statutory procedures
  • Notices, inquiries and compensation
  • Rights of affected owners
  • Wayleaves, easements and utility corridors
  • Road reserves and infrastructure projects
  • Survey support and documentation

13. Sectional Properties and Vertical Ownership

  • Sectional Properties Act, 2020
  • Sectional units and common property
  • Floor plans and unit boundaries
  • Three-dimensional property interests
  • Sectional plan preparation and registration
  • Survey implications for apartments and mixed-use developments

14. Land Transactions and Due Diligence

  • Land searches and title verification
  • Transfer instruments and consents
  • Leases, charges, restrictions and encumbrances
  • Parcel and survey-plan consistency checks
  • Fraud risks and record verification
  • Professional support for conveyancing transactions

15. Environmental and Physical Planning Law

  • Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019
  • Development control, zoning and subdivision approvals
  • Environmental Management and Co-ordination Act
  • Riparian areas, road reserves and protected areas
  • Environmental restrictions affecting development and survey work

16. Digital Land Administration and Data Governance

  • Electronic land services and digital records
  • Online searches and applications
  • Data verification and privacy
  • Cyber fraud risks and record authenticity
  • Evidential limitations of screenshots and unofficial records
  • Interaction between digital systems and legally recognized records

17. Professional Ethics and Legal Liability

  • Duty of care and conflicts of interest
  • Confidentiality and data handling
  • Professional negligence and falsification of records
  • Unauthorized alteration of beacons
  • Fraudulent land transactions
  • Professional accountability and lawful reporting

18. Land Law Case Studies and Applied Assessment

  • Boundary disputes and conflicting parcel areas
  • Missing beacons and discrepancies between titles and plans
  • Subdivision without required approval
  • Compulsory acquisition scenarios
  • Identify applicable law and responsible institutions
  • Prepare a due-diligence checklist and reasoned case-study report

Tacheometric Survey

Apply classical and digital tacheometric methods to observe distances and heights, map detail and produce contour plans where conventional workflows still add value.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Introduction to Tacheometric Surveying

  • Definition and principles
  • Applications, advantages and limitations
  • Comparison with chaining, levelling, total station and GNSS
  • Suitable uses based on terrain, accuracy and resources

2. Tacheometric Instruments and Components

  • Transit theodolite and tacheometer
  • Stadia diaphragm and stadia hairs
  • Stadia staff and staff graduations
  • Telescope components and instrument setup
  • Temporary adjustments and instrument constants

3. Stadia System and Fundamental Principles

  • Stadia interval and stadia intercept
  • Multiplying and additive constants
  • Line of sight and staff readings
  • Determination and verification of tacheometric constants
  • Assumptions and limitations of the stadia method

4. Horizontal Sight Distance Computation

  • Horizontal line of sight
  • Stadia distance equation
  • Staff intercept calculation
  • Multiplying and additive constants in computations
  • Distance reduction, field booking and worked examples

5. Inclined Sight and Vertical Angle Computations

  • Inclined line of sight and vertical angle observations
  • Horizontal distance computation
  • Vertical component and height difference
  • Instrument height and target elevation
  • Sign conventions and checking calculations

6. Elevation and Reduced-Level Computations

  • Staff readings and vertical angles
  • Height of instrument and reduced levels
  • Elevation of staff station
  • Rising and falling ground
  • Field-book calculations and arithmetic checks

7. Tacheometric Methods

  • Stadia method
  • Tangential method
  • Fixed-hair and movable-hair principles
  • Comparison of methods and field applications
  • Accuracy and practical limitations

8. Field Procedure and Observation Techniques

  • Station selection and instrument setup
  • Staff positioning and verticality
  • Horizontal and vertical angle observations
  • Recording upper, middle and lower stadia readings
  • Field notes, repeat observations and error prevention

9. Tacheometric Traversing and Detail Surveys

  • Traverse station selection and orientation
  • Detail point observation
  • Coordinate determination
  • Detail plotting and contour data collection
  • Surveys in rough or inaccessible locations

10. Tacheometry for Contouring

  • Spot-height collection and radial observations
  • Terrain feature identification
  • Contour interpolation
  • Preparation of contour plans
  • Suitability for reconnaissance and preliminary engineering surveys

11. Errors, Accuracy and Quality Control

  • Instrumental and personal errors
  • Staff verticality and collimation
  • Angle-reading and observation errors
  • Atmospheric conditions and consistency checks
  • Comparison against independent measurements

12. Modern Applications and Digital Integration

  • Electronic tacheometers and total stations
  • Digital field data collection
  • Automated coordinate calculation
  • Comparison with EDM-based surveying
  • Integration with CAD and GIS

13. Tacheometric Survey Capstone Project

  • Conduct a small detail survey
  • Observe staff intercepts and vertical angles
  • Compute distances and elevations
  • Determine coordinates and plot detail points
  • Produce a contour plan and technical report

Cadastral Survey

Carry out cadastral surveys aligned to Kenyan land administration — boundaries, beacons, areas, plans and quality assurance for registration workflows.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Introduction to Cadastral Surveying

  • Purpose and scope of cadastral surveys
  • Cadastral systems and parcel identification
  • Land tenure and boundary evidence
  • Cadastral maps, registers and survey records
  • Relationship between surveying and land registration

2. Legal and Documentary Research

  • Title documents and parcel descriptions
  • Registry Index Maps (RIMs), deed plans and survey plans
  • Mutation forms and cadastral records
  • Field notes and historical survey records
  • Identifying discrepancies in land records

3. Boundary Identification and Adjudication

  • Physical and documentary boundary evidence
  • Existing beacons and occupation boundaries
  • Boundary marks and evidence recording
  • Field reconnaissance and boundary documentation
  • Disputed boundaries and referral to appropriate authorities

4. Cadastral Survey Instruments and Methods

  • Total station and GNSS RTK surveying
  • Traversing, radiation, offsets and intersection
  • Coordinate-based boundary surveys
  • Field coding and electronic data collection
  • Independent verification and field procedures

5. Parcel Measurement and Computation

  • Bearings, distances and coordinate computations
  • Parcel area calculations and irregular parcels
  • Coordinate closure and observation adjustment
  • Area verification and tolerance considerations
  • Comparing computed and registered parcel areas

6. Land Subdivision and Amalgamation

  • Subdivision design and parcel dimensions
  • Access roads, easements and wayleaves
  • Subdivision schemes and amalgamation
  • Mutation surveys and authorized beacon relocation
  • Preparation and checking of subdivision data

7. Cadastral Plans and Survey Documentation

  • Cadastral plotting and parcel numbering
  • Bearings, distances and adjoining parcel information
  • Survey computations and field notes
  • Plan annotation and checking
  • Documentation of amendments and supporting records

8. Beacon Establishment and Re-establishment

  • Types and placement of survey beacons
  • Monumentation and reference measurements
  • Witness marks and beacon descriptions
  • Recovery of missing or disturbed beacons
  • Re-establishment based on valid evidence and records

9. Digital Cadastre and Land Information Systems

  • Digital parcel databases and vector data
  • Parcel topology and spatial data quality
  • Georeferencing and GIS-based cadastral mapping
  • Metadata and linkage to land information
  • Data exchange and interoperability

10. Sectional Property Survey

  • Principles of sectional property
  • Sectional units and common property
  • Unit boundaries and floor plans
  • Three-dimensional parcel representation
  • Preparation of sectional plans and introduction to 3D cadastre

11. Digital Land Administration in Kenya

  • Land registration workflows and electronic land services
  • Online searches, applications and record verification
  • Digital submission requirements
  • Interaction between survey and registration records
  • Limitations of digital records as substitutes for required survey evidence

12. Cadastral Survey Quality Assurance

  • Compliance with survey instructions
  • Field observation, coordinate and area checks
  • Plan consistency and parcel topology
  • Detection of overlaps and gaps
  • Audit trails, document control and data protection

13. Cadastral Survey Capstone Project

  • Review source parcel records
  • Undertake a supervised or simulated parcel survey
  • Compute coordinates and areas
  • Prepare a cadastral drawing and subdivision proposal
  • Compile supporting records and a quality-control checklist

Control Survey

Establish and adjust reliable survey control using geodesy, traverse, GNSS and precise levelling — ready for mapping, cadastral and engineering projects.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Principles of Survey Control

  • Purpose of control surveys
  • Primary, secondary and tertiary control
  • Horizontal and vertical control
  • Local and national reference frameworks
  • Accuracy classes and control monument requirements

2. Geodesy and Reference Systems

  • Earth shape, reference ellipsoids and geodetic datums
  • Coordinate reference systems and map projections
  • Grid coordinates versus ground coordinates
  • Ellipsoidal and orthometric heights
  • Geoid models and coordinate transformations

3. Control Survey Reconnaissance

  • Verification of existing control
  • Intervisibility and GNSS satellite visibility
  • Station selection and network geometry
  • Monumentation planning, access and security
  • Reconnaissance sketches and reports

4. Traverse Control Surveys

  • Open and closed traverses
  • Angular and distance observations
  • Horizontal angle measurement and orientation
  • Bearing and azimuth computation
  • Angular and linear misclosure
  • Bowditch and transit-rule adjustment

5. GNSS Control Surveys

  • Static, rapid-static, RTK and network RTK methods
  • Receiver setup and antenna-height measurement
  • Session planning, satellite geometry and multipath
  • Cycle slips, ambiguity resolution and baseline processing
  • Precise Point Positioning and suitable use cases

6. Total Station and Conventional Control

  • Horizontal angle and EDM distance observations
  • Instrument and target centering.
  • Face-left and face-right observations
  • Repetition and reiteration methods
  • Atmospheric and instrumental corrections

7. Precise Levelling and Vertical Control

  • Benchmarks and differential levelling
  • Closed-loop and double-run levelling
  • Collimation checks and permissible misclosure
  • Orthometric height control
  • Vertical datum transfer and documentation

8. Control Computations

  • Coordinate calculations and coordinate increments
  • Latitudes, departures and coordinate closure
  • Traverse balancing methods
  • Least-squares adjustment concepts
  • Residuals, standard errors and precision reporting

9. Control Network Design and Adjustment

  • Network geometry and observation redundancy
  • Observation weighting
  • Constrained and free-network adjustment
  • Covariance, error propagation and reliability
  • Blunder detection and interpretation of adjustment results

10. Coordinate Transformation and Integration

  • Local-to-grid transformations
  • Helmert transformation parameters
  • Datum conversion and residual analysis
  • GNSS and total-station data integration
  • GIS and CAD coordinate workflows

11. Monumentation and Control Maintenance

  • Concrete, metal and other suitable monuments
  • Survey pillars, reference marks and witness marks
  • Station descriptions and control registers
  • Recovery surveys and stability checks
  • Maintenance, protection and record keeping

12. Modern Control Applications

  • CORS and reference-station networks
  • Network RTK and precise point positioning
  • GNSS/IMU integration
  • Control for UAV and mobile mapping
  • Infrastructure monitoring and geodetic data management

13. Control Survey Quality Assurance

  • Instrument calibration and field checks
  • Independent and repeat observations
  • Instrumental, personal and environmental error sources
  • Field data backups and traceability
  • Project specifications and quality records

Topographical Survey

Capture planimetric and height detail, generate contours and digital terrain models, and produce professional topographical plans for planning and design.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Fundamentals of Topographical Surveying

  • Purpose and scope of topographical surveys
  • Natural and artificial features
  • Planimetric detail, spot heights and contours
  • Map scales, contour intervals and survey specifications
  • Accuracy, completeness and metadata

2. Topographical Survey Planning

  • Project requirements and reconnaissance
  • Site access, boundaries and control-point identification
  • Selection of survey methods and equipment
  • Feature coding and fieldwork planning
  • Quality assurance and safety procedures

3. Conventional Topographical Survey Methods

  • Radiation, intersection and traversing
  • Grid surveying and offset methods
  • Detail surveying with total stations
  • Spot heights, breaklines and feature coding
  • Field booking and independent checks

4. GNSS-Based Topographical Surveying

  • GNSS fundamentals and receiver configuration
  • RTK, network RTK and base-rover workflows
  • Correction services, datum and coordinate systems
  • Point collection and accuracy assessment
  • Limitations near trees, buildings and obstructed locations

5. Levelling and Terrain Height Collection

  • Spot levels, grid levels and differential levelling
  • Reduced-level computation and height control
  • Ground breaklines and slope determination
  • Vertical datum and height reference considerations
  • Checking and documenting elevation quality

6. Digital Topographical Data Acquisition

  • Electronic field books and data collectors
  • CSV, TXT, LandXML and supported exchange formats
  • Point codes, descriptions and structured datasets
  • Field-to-office data transfer and backup
  • Duplicate, missing and erroneous point detection

7. UAV Photogrammetry and Aerial Mapping

  • Flight planning, overlap and ground sampling distance
  • Ground control points and independent checkpoints
  • RTK/PPK drone workflows
  • Image processing and bundle adjustment concepts
  • Orthomosaics, digital surface models and digital terrain models
  • Applicable aviation and site permissions

8. LiDAR and 3D Surveying

  • Airborne, mobile and terrestrial LiDAR principles
  • Point clouds and GNSS/IMU integration
  • Point-cloud classification and ground extraction
  • Terrestrial laser scanning workflows
  • Comparison of LiDAR and photogrammetry

9. Contouring and Digital Terrain Modelling

  • Contour interpolation from spot heights
  • Grid and radial contouring methods
  • TIN and raster elevation models
  • Breakline and boundary integration
  • Contour editing, surface validation and accuracy checks

10. Terrain Analysis and GIS Integration

  • Slope, aspect and hillshade
  • Terrain profiles and visibility concepts
  • Drainage and watershed analysis
  • Terrain suitability and erosion applications
  • Integration with GIS and spatial datasets

11. Topographical Map Production

  • Feature layers, symbols and annotation
  • Map scale, legend, coordinate grid and north arrow
  • Cartographic layout and map hierarchy
  • Digital export, plotting and metadata
  • Map quality checks and deliverable standards

12. Topographical Survey Capstone Project

  • Survey a parcel or development site
  • Acquire ground levels and feature data
  • Process observations and generate contours
  • Create a terrain model and topographical plan
  • Submit a technical report and accuracy statement

Engineering Survey

Plan and deliver engineering surveys for roads, buildings, drainage and infrastructure — from control and levelling through setting-out, volumes and as-built records.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Introduction to Engineering Surveying

  • Definition and scope of engineering surveying
  • Applications across civil engineering and construction stages
  • Survey requirements, accuracy classes and tolerances
  • Engineering drawings, specifications and coordinate data

2. Engineering Survey Planning and Reconnaissance

  • Interpretation of engineering drawings and design information
  • Site inspection and identification of existing control
  • Selection of methods, instruments and personnel
  • Risk assessment, access, safety and environmental considerations
  • Reconnaissance reports and method statements

3. Engineering Survey Instruments and Digital Data Collection

  • Total stations, robotic total stations and EDM
  • Automatic and digital levels
  • GNSS RTK and network RTK equipment
  • Data collectors, field coding and electronic field books
  • Instrument checks, calibration, centering and field procedures

4. Engineering Levelling

  • Temporary benchmarks and transfer of levels
  • Differential, fly, profile and reciprocal levelling
  • Reduced-level computation and arithmetic checks
  • Levelling misclosure, permissible error and adjustment
  • Digital levelling workflows and field quality control

5. Road and Railway Alignment Surveys

  • Chainage and stationing
  • Horizontal and vertical alignment
  • Longitudinal profiles and cross-sections
  • Circular, transition and vertical curves
  • Superelevation and setting-out data preparation

6. Construction Setting Out

  • Building grids, foundation and column positions
  • Offsets, reference lines and profile boards
  • Coordinate-based setting out using total stations and GNSS
  • Batter boards, sight rails and construction references
  • Independent checks, tolerances and as-built surveys

7. Drainage and Sewer Engineering Surveys

  • Route reconnaissance and alignment selection
  • Sewer profiles, gradients and invert levels
  • Manhole positioning and pipe slope setting out
  • Drainage channel alignment and cover checks
  • Boning rods, sight rails and level-control procedures

8. Earthworks and Volume Computation

  • Existing and proposed ground levels
  • Formation levels and cut-and-fill calculations
  • Cross-sectional area and average end-area methods
  • Prismoidal formula and surface-to-surface volumes
  • Stockpile measurement and quantity reporting

9. Structural and Infrastructure Surveys

  • Bridge, culvert and retaining-wall setting out
  • Pile positions and industrial structures
  • Tunnel and constrained-site survey considerations
  • Structural alignment and dimensional checks
  • Survey control for construction activities

10. Deformation Monitoring and Precision Surveying

  • Settlement and horizontal displacement monitoring
  • Tilt and structural movement observations
  • Reference networks and repeat measurements
  • Time-series analysis and movement thresholds
  • Interpretation and reporting of monitoring results

11. Machine Guidance, BIM and Digital Construction

  • GNSS-based machine control concepts
  • Digital terrain models and construction surfaces
  • Survey-to-BIM coordinate alignment
  • Model validation and digital as-built records
  • Introduction to digital twins and connected construction workflows

12. Engineering Survey Capstone Project

  • Plan a road, building or sewer survey
  • Collect and check field observations
  • Process levels, coordinates and profiles
  • Compute earthworks and prepare setting-out data
  • Submit drawings, schedules, as-built information and a technical report

GIS Software Mastery (QGIS & ArcGIS Pro)

Become fluent in QGIS and ArcGIS Pro: projects, editing, geoprocessing, cartography, and safe cross-platform migration.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Interface, Projects, & Data Management

  • Core Environments & Navigation; Mastering Projects (.aprx), Catalog pane, Ribbon architecture, and File Geodatabases (.gdb)
  • Database Connectivity & Geopackages; Navigating Projects (.qgz), Browser panel, Custom Toolbars, and OGC Geopackages (.gpkg)
  • CRS Alignment & On-The-Fly Projections; Handling datum transformations and fixing coordinate system mismatches

2. Advanced Vector Editing & Geometry Tools

  • Digitizing & Topology Rules; Using the Editing Ribbon, Feature Templates, and setting up Topology rules
  • Multi-User Editing & Versioning; Utilizing Advanced Digitizing Toolbar, Snapping Options, and the Topology Checker Plugin
  • Attribute Automation; Attribute Logic: Building calculating expressions using Arcade / Python in ArcGIS Pro vs. QGIS Expression Engine

3. Spatial Analysis & Geoprocessing Pipelines

  • Vector & Raster Analytics; Benchmarking performance between ArcGIS Pro Geoprocessing Tools vs. QGIS Processing Toolbox (Native, GRASS, SAGA)
  • Surface & Hydrological Modeling; Processing digital elevation models (DEMs) for slope, aspect, and catchment delineation
  • Workflow Automation Engines; Automation: Building repeatable visual pipelines using ArcGIS Pro Model Builder vs. QGIS Graphical Modeler

4. Cartography, Layouts, & Cross-Platform Migration

  • Thematic Symbology Rules; Porting styling rules across software (Choropleths, Rule-based rendering)
  • Map Layouts & Series Automation; Producing multi-page print layouts using ArcGIS Pro Map Series vs. QGIS Atlas generation
  • Project Migration Pipelines; Interoperability: Techniques for migrating layer files, converting style documents (. lyrx to. qml), and safely transferring assets

Advanced Cartography & Geo-visualization

Master visual hierarchy, complex thematic maps, advanced terrain rendering and production pipelines for print and web.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Cartographic Design Principles & Typography

  • Visual Hierarchy & Contrast
  • Advanced Typography in Maps; Rules for placement, labeling curves, and avoiding collisions in dense datasets
  • Color Theory & Accessibility; Designing for color blindness, screen vs. print optimization, and custom color ramps

2. Thematic Mapping & Complex Symbology

  • Advanced Multivariate Symbology; Building custom vector symbols, multi-layer fills, and property connections
  • Statistical Data Classification; Choosing between Natural Breaks, Quantile, and Geometric intervals
  • Bivariate & Dasymetric Mapping; Mapping multi-variable relationships using bivariate choropleths

3. Advanced Terrain Visualization & 3D Mapping

  • Analytical Hill shading Variants; Multi-directional, Swiss-style, and sky-view factor hill shading using DEMs
  • 2.5D and 3D Vector Rendering; Creating textures, illuminated contours, and landform representations
  • Blender for Cartography; Extruding 3D features, managing camera perspectives, and texturing surfaces

4. Production Cartography & Post-Processing

  • Map Series Automation; Setting up spatial map books using Data Driven Pages / Map Series layout rules
  • GIS to Vector Graphics Pipeline; Exporting AI/SVG files while maintaining spatial layer groupings & cleaning up vector geometries
  • Interactive & Web Cartography; Optimization for web maps (vector tiles, zoom-dependent visibility, pop-up design)

Drone Mapping & UAV Survey

Plan compliant drone missions, process imagery in Pix4D, generate DSM/DTM/orthomosaics, and produce survey-ready outputs.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. UAV Acquisition & Field Survey Operations

  • Mission Planning & Compliance; KCAA
  • Autonomous Flight Software; Setting GSD and flight path
  • Ground Control Points (GCPs)

2. Photogrammetry Foundations & Pix4D Processing

  • Pix4D Project Initialization; Importing drone geotags
  • Step 1 – Initial Processing; Key point computation and automatic tie point (ATP) generation
  • Processing Optimization; Manual tie point insertion to fix complex terrain distortions

3. Point Cloud Optimization & Mesh Generation

  • Step 2 – Point Clouds; Controlling densification parameters and point density
  • 3D Textured Mesh Creation; Generating high 3D models for terrain visualization
  • Point cloud classification (separating vegetation from bare earth)

4. Ortho mosaic Production & Geospatial Analysis

  • Step 3 – DSM, DTM, & Ortho mosaic; Generating Digital Surface Models vs. Digital Terrain Models
  • Feature Extraction & Insights; Ortho mosaic stitching, color balancing, and seamline editing
  • Final Project Output; Volumetric measurements (stockpiles and cut/fill analysis) & exporting contours and deliverables

Remote Sensing

Process Landsat/Sentinel imagery, compute indices, classify land cover, detect change, and deliver an advanced remote-sensing product.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Foundations of Remote Sensing

  • Electromagnetic spectrum: Visible, NIR, SWIR, Thermal
  • Satellite platforms: Landsat (free), Sentinel, MODIS
  • Spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric resolution

2. Pre-processing Satellite Imagery

  • Downloading Landsat/Sentinel data (USGS Earth Explorer, Copernicus)
  • Atmospheric correction (DOS, Dark Object Subtraction)
  • Pan-sharpening & sub-setting (clipping) raster

3. Spectral Indices

  • NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index)
  • Water indices (NDWI, MNDWI)
  • Built-up indices (NDBI) & Burn indices (NBR)

4. Image Classification

  • Unsupervised classification (K-means, ISODATA)
  • Supervised classification: Training samples & algorithms (Maximum Likelihood, Random Forest)
  • Accuracy assessment (Confusion matrix, Kappa coefficient)

5. Change Detection

  • Pre/post-classification comparison (e.g., forest loss map)
  • Raster differencing (e.g., NDVI difference)
  • Calculating rates of change & generating statistics

6. Capstone Project – Visualization + Remote Sensing

  • Choose a problem (e.g., urban heat island, deforestation monitoring)
  • Process satellite imagery → classify land cover → calculate change
  • Create an advanced final product: Interactive dashboard OR 3D printed terrain model OR story map with temporal animation

Advanced GIS

Design publication-ready maps, work with 3D terrain, publish web maps and dashboards, and visualize change over time.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Advanced Cartographic Design

  • Typography, color theory (Color Brewer), and visual hierarchy
  • Designing for print vs. web (resolution, file formats)
  • Creating map series / atlas (one map per feature)

2. 3D Visualization & Terrain

  • Creating Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) from contours or lidar
  • Hill shade, slope, and aspect analysis
  • 3D Scene creation: Extruding buildings, draping imagery over terrain

3. Web Maps & Dashboards

  • Exporting maps to web formats (GeoJSON, MBTiles)
  • Introduction to ArcGIS Online / QGIS Cloud
  • Building an interactive dashboard: Filters, charts, and pop-ups (crime dashboard)

4. Temporal & Statistical Visualization

  • Time-series mapping (animated maps)
  • Heatmaps & kernel density estimation
  • Creating map-based infographics (bar charts, pie charts on maps)

GIS for Intermediate

Build analysis workflows with vector and raster tools, geodatabases, ModelBuilder/Graphical Modeler, and stronger map design.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. Spatial Analysis 1 – Vector Tools

  • Buffer, Clip, Merge, Dissolve
  • Overlay analysis: Intersect and Union
  • Proximity analysis (Near, Distance to...)

2. Data Acquisition & Sources

  • Finding open data (OpenStreetMap, USGS, government portals)
  • Understanding metadata & data quality
  • Importing spreadsheets (CSV with coordinates) & Geocoding addresses

3. Geodatabases & Relationships

  • File geodatabase vs. Shapefile vs. GeoPackage
  • Creating relationship classes (one-to-many)
  • Joins & Relates: Linking tables without XY coordinates

4. Introduction to Raster Analysis

  • Raster basics: Resolution, extent, bands
  • Map Algebra & Raster Calculator (e.g., NDVI simple formula)
  • Reclassifying rasters & converting raster to vector (contours)

5. Geoprocessing Models & Automation

  • Introduction to ModelBuilder or Graphic Modeler
  • Creating a reusable model (Buffer →Clip →Calculate Area)
  • Introduction to Python in GIS (running a simple script)

6. Intermediate Cartography

  • Advanced symbology: Graduated colors, proportional symbols
  • Using rule-based labeling & label placement rules
  • Creating inset maps & grid references

GIS for Beginners / GIS Fundamentals

Start from zero — understand GIS, spatial data, coordinate systems, and produce your first professional map in QGIS or ArcGIS Pro.

Curriculum outline (synced from NehKan LMS)

1. What is GIS?

  • Definition & Core Components (Hardware, Software, Data, People)
  • How GIS Works: Layers & Attributes
  • Real-world applications (Urban, Environmental, Business)

2. Understanding Spatial Data

  • Vector Data: Points, Lines, Polygons
  • Raster Data: Satellite imagery, DEMs, Aerial photos
  • Attribute Tables: Fields, Records, Data Types (Integer, String)

3. First Steps in GIS Software

  • Software options (QGIS vs. ArcGIS Pro) – Installation & setup
  • Interface: Map view, Table of contents, Toolboxes, Browser
  • Adding data & basic navigation (Zoom, Pan, Identify, Select)

4. Coordinate Reference Systems (CRS)

  • Why CRS matters: Geographic (Lat/Lon) vs. Projected (Meters/Feet)
  • Common systems: WGS84, UTM, Web Mercator
  • How to re-project data and fix misaligned layers

5. Basic Data Management

  • Georeferencing and digitization
  • Map rectification
  • Raster-to-vector conversion
  • Feature extraction
  • Creating new layers & digitizing simple features
  • Editing attribute tables (add, delete, calculate fields)

6. First Map & Output

  • Symbolizing vector data (single symbol, categories)
  • Adding labels & basic scale bars
  • Print Layout: Adding title, legend, north arrow, and exporting as PDF/PNG