An introduction to the principles and practice of Geographic Information Systems.

1 hours of lectures weekly for 5 weeks. 

2 hours of practical sessions each week.

Generally, all classes are on one day of the week during the second half of Semester 1.

If numbers are large an additional practical session may be run on a different day.

GEOG4062 Geographical Information Systems

GEOG4111 GIS A: Applied Spatial Analysis

GEOG5084 Principles of GIS (Intensive)

None.

Continuous assessment consisting of a GIS practical task and associated  report (40%); a 1½ hour examination (60%).

The course's combination of lectures and practicals will give participants the knowledge of the analytical and databasing concepts which will contribute to the specification of the design of a GIS, its implementation and appropriate use; and to develop an awareness of graphical methods of exploring and representing geospatial information in a typical GIS environment.

Teaching aims:

■ To extend knowledge in the use of GIS for spatial analysis, including criteria based modelling, terrain analysis and network analysis;

■ To introduce and develop practical skills in using a commercial system - eg ArcGIS.

■ To describe the principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

■ To explain vector data structures and concepts, including point, line and polygon entities, attributes and topology

■ To explain raster data structures and concepts

■ To introduce several well-known GIS analytical tools

■ To introduce several applications of GIS

■ To explain how to design an efficient geospatial database

■ To build confidence in the use of one particular GIS package - ArcGIS

■ To encourage the use of help files and relevant web pages, etc., to develop the initiative and creativity which contribute to the transferable skill of problem solving in information technology.

Having completed this course, students will be able to:

■ Explain the principles of GIS and its operation;

■ Describe and compare raster and vector data models and assess their use in different situations;

■ Explain the need for co-ordinate references systems in GIS and apply this within a GIS;

■ Describe and apply the process of georeferencing; 

■ Describe and critically assess the use of analytical tools within GIS including overlay, buffer, network, and terrain analysis and how they are applied in the ArcGIS (or equivalent) environment;

■ Discuss how GIS can be used to inform and/or solve a range of geographical problems

■ Describe and critically assess the use of vector and raster representations of real world objects and how to convert between them;

■ Describe and critically assess the use of analytical tools within GIS including overlay, buffer, network, and terrain analysis and how they are applied in the ArcGIS (or equivalent) environment;

■ Explain the nature of geospatial databases and discuss their design and implementation;

■ Solve application problems in GIS, including access to on-line help files;

■ Produce effective maps and reports based on output of GIS processes;

■ Apply acquired GIS skills to a range of applications.