GISC422-26SU1 (C) Summer Jan 2026 start

Foundations of Geographic Information Systems

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 5 January 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 February 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 11 January 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 25 January 2026

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 Pro.

GISC422 is designed 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.

Learning Outcomes

  • Course 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:
    o demonstrate practical use of GIS and RS software; o access and use digital geographic data;
    o produce digital map compositions which demonstrate sound cartographic principles; and
    o undertake basic fieldwork for geographic data collection
  • an awareness of the limitations of geographic technology

Prerequisites

RP: Undergraduate degree or diploma

Restrictions

Recommended Preparation

Undergraduate degree or diploma

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 10:00 - 12:00 Rehua 002 Lectorial
5 Jan - 1 Feb
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 14:00 - 16:00 Rehua 002 Lectorial
5 Jan - 1 Feb
Computer Lab A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 14:00 - 16:00 Ernest Rutherford 211 GIS Comp Lab
5 Jan - 1 Feb
02 Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 Ernest Rutherford 211 GIS Comp Lab
5 Jan - 1 Feb
Computer Lab B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Wednesday 10:00 - 12:00 Ernest Rutherford 211 GIS Comp Lab
5 Jan - 1 Feb
02 Wednesday 14:00 - 16:00 Ernest Rutherford 211 GIS Comp Lab
5 Jan - 1 Feb

Course Coordinators

Ioannis Delikostidis and Vanessa Bastos

Lecturer

Hongyi Zou

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.) Wiley. (Full text online).

Supplementary readings which you are expected to read will be listed most weeks online.

Notes

GISC422 Recommended Preparation:  Undergraduate degree or diploma

Course Requirements:
To be eligible to be credited with a pass in GISC422, you must meet the following course requirements:
1. Complete the laboratory programme
2. Hand in lab work and complete quizzes
3. Pass the final exam

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,286.00

* 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 on the departments and faculties page .

All GISC422 Occurrences