GE 353 GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)

Course Objective

Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of GIS and tools available to conduct spatial analyses with specific applications to natural resource fields.

Course Description

The course focuses on the application of GIS in inventorying and monitoring techniques, protected area management, policies and practices in natural resource management.

§  Time allocated: 30 hours for lectures and 15 hours for seminar/laboratory works

§  Course assessment: Coursework 40%, University examination 60 %

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, learners should be able to:

§  Thoroughly understand the techniques and applications of GIS technologies.

§  Effectively use GIS to efficiently analyze and visualize spatial data to gain new knowledge.

§  Proficiently produce maps that communicate well and adhere to the principles of good map

§  Effectively be able to edit vector spatial data and georeference raster images.

§  Successfully clip, merge, and export feature data.

§  Conduct GIS related spatial analysis and geoprocessing in natural resource management

§  Study common natural resource management cases, associated data and analytical processes;   

§  Improve the ability in independent GIS problem design, analysis, solving and reporting.

Course Outline

Topic 1: Introduction to Basic GIS Concepts

1.1 History of GIS

1.2 Components of GIS

1.3 Functions of GIS

Topic 2: GIS Database

2.1 Database structures

2.2 Database development

2.3 Database management

2.4 Database maintenance

Topic 3: Geographical Data Analyses with GIS

3.1 Database query

3.2 Derivative mapping

3.3 Process simulation and modelling

Topic 4: Integrated GIS in Natural Resource Management

4.1 Application of GIS in natural resource inventory systems

4.2 GIS and land resource mapping and management

4.3 GIS and marine resource mapping and management

BASIC READINGS

Bhatta, B. (2OO8). Remote Sensing and GIS. India, Oxford University Press.

Lillesand, T. M. and Ralph W. K. (2000). Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 4th ed., John Wiley and Sons, Toronto.

Konecny, G. (2003). Geoinformation, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems, Taylor and Francis, New York.

Lang, L. (1998). Managing Natural Resources with GIS. ESRI Press, 1998, 132 pp.

Longley, Paul A., Goodchild, Michael F., Maguire, David J., and David W. Rhind. 2001. Geographic Information Systems and Science, John Wiley and Sons, Toronto.