Introduction to functionality and applications of Geographic Information Systems

computer science
geography

general courses

Course participants should be able to efficiently use computers and software in the Windows environment (application, collecting and organizing of data, working with many running applications).

Classroom

The course consists of a series of exercises to enable basic and most important skills in the use of GIS software including: data implementation, management, analysis and presentation of spatial data. Students will be provided with basic knowledge on spatial data resources, data models, file systems and tools used in GIS.

The main objective of this course is to provide practical skills in the use of GIS tools for the analysis of spatial phenomena. The principles and methods of creating GIS projects, including data analysis of natural, economic and social information spacetime are presented to the students. The course provides basic skills on data presentation. Software used during the classes is package ArcGIS Desktop by ESRI.

Issues to be covered during the classes:

1. Introduction to GIS environment, organization and management of data, ArcGIS Desktop interface, functionality of basic tools,

2. Project GIS and the geodatabases,

3. Georeferencing systems used in GIS,

4. Methods of spatial data presentation,

5. The composition of digital map,

6. Vector data processing,

7. Raster data processing,

8. Extensions of ArcGIS Desktop software package: 3D Analyst and Spatial Analyst,

9. Elements of geoprocessing,

10. Examples of GIS applications in practice.

Individual issues can be implemented on more than one class.

ArcGIS online help (http://resources.arcgis.com/content/web-based-help)

Longley P.A., Goodchild M., Maguire D.J., Rhind D.W., 2010, Geographic Information Systems and Science 3e, Wiley

Wing M.G., Bettinger P., 2008, Geographic Information Systems. Applications in Natural Resource Management (2 ed), Oxford University Press

KNOWLEDGE: Student is familiar with the idea of Geographic Information Systems, basic methods of cartographic presentation and the most important application of ArcGIS - ArcCatalog, ArcMap

SKILLS: Student can independently perform moderately complex tasks in the field of collecting and processing of spatial data. Student is able to edit vector and raster data, manage data, perform basic statistical and spatial analysis using ArcGIS. Student knows how to prepare maps for printing and publication.

ATTITUDES: Student selects the best methods of work with the software, selects the appropriate tools to solve analytical problems and critically evaluates the results of data analysis.

Continuous, current assessment - progress at work in the classroom, preparation of exercise according to instructions. Final simple GIS project during the last class. The components of final evaluation: current rating - 50%, final project - 50%.

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