What is LiDAR?
LiDAR—short for Light Detection and Ranging—is a laser-based technology that captures precise 3D information about the Earth’s surface. Unlike traditional imagery, LiDAR can “see through” trees and vegetation, making it ideal for forest monitoring, city planning, and mapping hard-to-access terrain.
It works by sending out laser pulses and measuring how long it takes for them to bounce back. These return times are used to calculate distances and surface elevations with remarkable accuracy. Today, LiDAR is widely used in fields like biodiversity research, forest health monitoring, and autonomous vehicle navigation.
Thanks to its high precision, LiDAR can generate maps far more detailed than those created with traditional tools. This makes it a go-to method for collecting geospatial data in both scientific and commercial contexts.
What will you learn in this blended learning course?
In this course, you’ll build a strong foundation in LiDAR technology and learn how to apply it across different industries. You’ll explore how to collect, analyze, and use LiDAR data to produce accurate terrain models and maps. From day one, you’ll be working with real datasets and learning how to bring LiDAR into your own workflow.
You’ll see how LiDAR supports use cases in forest monitoring, city development, and autonomous navigation. We’ll also dive into how LiDAR contributes to collecting spatial data for both research and business purposes. You’ll get a clear overview of the different platforms used to capture LiDAR—such as drones, aircraft, and satellites—and the advantages of each.
Throughout the course, you’ll explore how LiDAR supports better decision-making in sectors like construction, forestry, and environmental science. Real-world examples will show how LiDAR saves time and cuts costs—such as by reducing the need for on-site fieldwork.
Why choose this Overview of LiDAR course?
Blended learning gives you the best of both worlds—live interaction and flexible, self-paced study—so you can build job-ready skills in LiDAR and geospatial analysis. In this course, you’ll get hands-on with real data and learn how to apply LiDAR in forestry, infrastructure, and environmental projects.
We start with a live session where you jump straight into practice. With support from experienced instructors, you’ll begin working with 3D data to map landscapes, vegetation, and built environments.
Next, our self-paced modules allow you to dive deeper at your own speed. You’ll learn how LiDAR works, explore differences between airborne and satellite systems, and practice processing point clouds. You’ll also integrate LiDAR into GIS and create terrain models from elevation data.
Later, in a second live session, you’ll apply your new skills to realistic challenges. You’ll refine your workflows, solve real problems, and get feedback to improve your results.
One of the course’s standout features is its case-based approach. You’ll produce useful outputs—like digital elevation models and vegetation maps—that can be directly used in your professional projects.
By combining expert-led instruction with flexible learning, this course helps you move beyond theory. By the end, you’ll confidently collect, process, and apply LiDAR data—supporting smarter, data-driven decisions in your field.