FC31335 Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems

FC31335 Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems

Course Outline

Course

:  FC 31335 – Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems

Core/Specialization

:  Core

Programme

:  Bachelor of Science Honours in Surveying Sciences

Department

:  Cartography, Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and GIS

Faculty

:  Faculty of Geomatics

Contact Hours

:  150

Year

:  III

Semester

:  I

Lecturer

:  

Room No.

: 

Telephone No.

: 045-3453071

E-mail

: kalani@geo.sab.ac.lk

 

Synopsis

This course provides a comprehensive knowledge and practical experience on Geographical Information Systems and related applications

 

Contents

  • Introduction to GIS and GIS Software
  • Geographic data models
  • Geo-databases (GDB)
  • Geo-data collection
  • Digital Elevation Models (DEM)
  • Data analysis
  • Design a GIS project

 

Practical Tasks

  • Displaying map data
  • Navigating a map and looking at feature attributes
  • Symbolizing and labelling features
  • Creating layouts
  • Finding, querying and creating graphs
  • Field calculations and joining tables
  • Hyper linking
  • Digitizing
  • Geo-referencing features
  • Geo-data analysis tools
  • GIS mini projects

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

No.

Course Learning Outcome

Programme Outcome

Assessment Methods

1.

Define geographical information systems and digital data representation methods

P01

Final Exam

2.

Describe the GIS data models

P01

Final Exam

3.

Create digital data from paper maps

P02

Final Exam/ Presentation

4.

Use different tools in GIS software

P02

Practical

5.

Analyze data to solve current problems

P04

Practical

6.

Apply GIS concepts to solve current issues

P05

Final Exam/ Practical

 

Student Learning Time (SLT)

Teaching and Learning Activities

Student Learning Time (hours)

Directed Learning
  • Lectures and Student Centered Learning (SCL)

28
  • Practical

45

Independent Learning
  • Preparation -

33
  • Self-Learning (Library & Internet)

20
  • Revision

20

Assessment
  • Assignments

02
  • Final Examination

02

TOTAL (SLT)

150

 

Teaching Methodology

Lectures, class-room discussions and office based practical

 

References

·         Campbell, J & Shin, M 2009, A Gentle Introduction to GIS, Spatial Information Management Unit, South Africa. 
(Online access via: http://download.osgeo.org/qgis/doc/manual/qgis-1.0.0_a-gentle-gis-introduction_en.pdf.)

·         Campbell, J & Shin, M 2011, Essentials of Geographic Information Systems, Saylor publication. 
(Online access via: http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Essentials%20of%20Geographic%20Information%20Systems.pdf )

·         Delaney, J & Van Niel, K 2008, Geographical information systems: an introduction, 2nd edn, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne.

·         Huisman, O, & de By, R. A 2009, Principles of Geographic Information Systems – An introductory textbook, ITC Educational Textbook Series, Netherlands. 
(Online access via: http://www.itc.nl/library/papers_2009/general/PrinciplesGIS.pdf.)

 

Grading

Assignments

Practical projetcs

20%

30%

Final Examination

50%

Total

100%