REU GIS Workshop: QGIS

2026 Summer REU Program at the City College of New York

Geographic Information Systems (GIS): GIS is a computer-based tool that uses spatial data to analyze and solve real-world problems. This course is designed to introduce students to the basic principles and techniques of GIS, with the objective of developing an understanding of geographic space and how maps represent it. A student will be able to read maps and write about and discuss information gleaned from them. By the end of the GIS module, students will be creating maps from sources, both graphical and tabular data, using QGIS. Students will be able to use GIS to build maps using data they collected during the program. Students will present and discuss their mapping work based on data collected from different sources using a PowerPoint presentation.

Assignment: Students will receive assignments based on activities performed during class. The examples of assignments include: (1) importing data with latitude and longitude coordinates in GIS and creating maps, (2) importing Excel or other data formats in GIS and joining it to global or Local maps to create new maps using imported datasets.

Group GIS Project: Students are divided into several groups of 3-4 students each. In the GIS project, students are free to choose an Earth System Science-related topic, in consultation with the instructor. The project should have rich GIS elements. Students will be downloading data from various government websites, including the Census Bureau, NOAA, NASA, USGS, DOL, the World Bank, the UN, and educational institutions. The grading in the GIS project is based on the quality of the GIS maps produced, presentation skills, effort in data processing and preparation, and data analysis. Students are encouraged to ask questions after presentations.

Presentation and Data Access