GISC422-22S1 (C) Semester One 2022

Foundations of Geographic Information Systems and Science

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 21 February 2022
End Date: Sunday, 26 June 2022
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 6 March 2022
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 15 May 2022

Description

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the tools for gathering, managing, analysing and presenting spatial information in an intuitive and graphical way. This course provides students with an introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles and techniques of GIS.

Nau mai ki GISC422– welcome to GISC422. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the tools for managing, analysing, and presenting spatial information in an intuitive and graphical way. GISC422 provides students with an introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles, and techniques of GIS. The course examines the use of geospatial technology including global positioning systems (GPS), geographical information systems, and aspects of remote sensing (RS). It also develops introductory GIS software skills using ArcGIS and ENVI. This year’s main contributors are Dr. Ioannis Delikostidis (ioannis.delikostidis@canterbury.ac.nz), Shanelle Dyer (Research Assistant and Senior Tutor, shanelle.dyer@canterbury.ac.nz) and Justin Harrison (Laboratory, Field and Equipment Technician, justin.harrison@canterbury.ac.nz).

GISC422 runs alongside GEOG205 Introduction to GIS (same lectures and labs), but excludes the exams and includes, instead, a small GIS project.

GISC422 is designed to build on previous geography courses and to provide an applied introduction to geographic information systems. The course focuses on key concepts and methods in GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing. It will allow students to develop hands-on skills for handling and analysing geospatial data.

Please read this handout carefully as it will help to ensure that you succeed in the course. It contains basic information about how the course is structured, taught and assessed, what you are expected to do, and when you need to do it. If you have any problems or difficulties in the course, see your lab teaching assistants, lecturers or the GISC422 coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

  • The aims of this course are to:
  • Provide an applied introduction to key technical concepts and methods used with GIS, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Remote Sensing (RS).
  • examine and use data capture and analysis techniques with GIS, GPS and RS
  • develop hands-on skills using GIS and RS software
    After completing this course, we expect you to have gained the following:
  • an understanding of the key concepts in GIS, GPS, and RS
  • the ability to apply basic spatial analysis techniques to geographic data
  • hands-on skills using the technology and in particular to:
    - demonstrate practical use of GIS and RS software; o access and use digital geographic data;
    - produce digital map compositions which demonstrate sound cartographic principles; and
    - undertake basic fieldwork for geographic data collection
  • an awareness of the limitations of geographic technology

      • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

      Biculturally competent and confident

      Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

      Globally aware

      Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

RP: Undergraduate degree or diploma

Restrictions

Recommended Preparation

Undergraduate degree or diploma

Timetable Note

23 hrs lectures (23 x 1 hour lectures)
30 hrs labs (10 x 3 hour labs)
97 hrs self-study and assignment/project work

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Ioannis Delikostidis

Lecturers

Shanelle Dyer and Justin Harrison

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Online Lab Quizzes 10% (ten, Labs 1 - 10) Due by 9am every Monday
GPS exervise hand-ins (Lab 1) 09 Mar 2022 5%
Cartography labs hand-ins (Labs 2 - 4) 30 Mar 2022 11%
GIS Analysis 1: Vector, Raster & Modelbuilder hand-ins (Labs 5 - 7) 11 May 2022 12%
GIS Analysis 2: 3D, RS & Interpolation hand-ins (Labs 8 - 10) 01 Jun 2022 12%
Independent project 08 Jun 2022 50%

Textbooks / Resources

The recommended texts are:
1. Heywood, I., Cornelius, S., and Carver, S. (2011). An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (4th ed.). Harlow: Prentice Hall (full text online).
2. Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J., and Rhind, D.W. (2015).
Geographic Information Systems and Science (4th ed.) (full text online).
Supplementary readings which you are expected to read will be listed most weeks online.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,084.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GISC422 Occurrences

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