Prerequisite Modules
Description
Much of the world's knowledge can be
visualised and represented by maps. Nowadays the computer is the tool
used to represent and manipulate this knowledge. A Geographical
Information System (GIS) is a computer system designed to facilitate
the collection, management, and analysis of large volumes of
geographical knowledge. GIS are capable of representing and managing
spatial, temporal, and thematic knowledge at personal, community,
regional, national, and global levels. They are often combined with
other technologies, such as mobile computing, agent based systems,
operational databases, or data mining systems to provide an integrated
approach to knowledge management. GIS has been particularly successful
at managing knowledge at regional and national levels. As more of
society's business and administrative systems become automated it is
envisaged that GIS will play an even more important role in the
management of the national physical and knowledge infrastructure. This
course will focus on GIS technology, GIS theory, GIS applications, and
GIS research.
Aims
The aim of this module is to
familiarise students to the current state of the art in Geographical
Information Systems which handle spatial and temporal knowledge. The
course will cover four broad areas of modern GIS, the applications,
the technology, the theory and current research
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this
module, the student will be able to:
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Assess GIS in the broader context
of managing and working with knowledge.
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Explain GIS as a human activity
system as well as a technical one.
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Identify appropriate data for use
in GIS
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Distinguish and use a set of
knowledge modelling techniques in a geographical context
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Evaluate database issues raised in
developing large networked GIS systems.
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Compare and contrast
characteristics of the various database models for GIS
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Detect and model the impact of
data quality in the decision making or problem solving process
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Apply the various query languages
appropriate to spatial/temporal querying.
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Categorise specific problems posed
by GIS in project analysis and management.
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Identify, analyse and evaluate
current research issues in geographical databases
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Analyse and syndissertatione an
entire GIS Project.
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Evaluate and use the state of the
art GIS software.
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Use the various spatial standards
(e.g. ISO and OGC) in deciding on appropriate GIS strategies
Learning and Teaching Methods
Lectures, self-study, labs,
tutorials, and any combination of discussion, case study,
problem-solving exercises, readings, seminars, and computer-based
learning.
Content
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Foundations
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Fundamental geographic concepts
for GIS
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Position on the earth
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Mapping the earth
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Algorithms for GIS
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Management, legal and social
issues
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Knowledge Management
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Knowledge representation
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Creating digital data
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Kinds of geospatial data
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Handling uncertainty
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Visualization and user
interaction
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Spatial analysis
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Spatial decision support systems
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Database
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The database approach;
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Spatial database theory
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Spatial relationships
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Using a GIS package
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Mapping operations including
displaying, drawing, querying themes, layers, and features,
designing symbology navigating, searching, browsing, updating map
design and presentation.
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Constructing models for decision
support classification, links to databases, spatial analysis ,
graphs, charts and symbology
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Application areas and case
studies
Assessment
The methods of assessment to be
used to measure the learning objectives stated above are written
examination and continuous assessment including one or more of
assignment, essay, problem-solving exercise, oral presentation, and
class or lab tests.
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Continuous Assessment: 50%
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Examination: 50%
Recommended
Reading
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P. Longley, D.J. Maguire, M.F.
Goodchild, D.W. Rhind (Eds.), 2002, Geographic Information Systems
and Science, Wiley
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P. Rigaux, M. Scholl, A. Voisard,
2002, Spatial databases - with applications to GIS, Morgan Kaufmann
Publishers
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Paul A. Longley (Editor), Michael
F. Goodchild (Editor), David J. Maguire (Editor), David W. Rhind
(Editor), 1999, Geographical Information Systems, Wiley
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S. Shekhar and S. Chawla, 2003,
Spatial databases - A tour, Prentice Hall
Ravikanth V. Kothuri, Albert Godfrind, Euro Beinat, 2004, Pro Oracle
Spatial, APress
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National Center for Geographic
Information & Analysis (NCGIA) -
http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/
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The Open Geospatial Consortium,
Inc. (OGC) -
http://www.opengeospatial.org/
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ESRI a leading GIS software vendor
- http://www.esri.com/
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International Journal of
Geographical Information Science, Taylor & Francis.
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For more information contact
Ciarán O'Leary
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