This Course Was Authored By

AICM 753: Geo- Informatics

Acknowledgements

This course was authored by:

Dr John M. Mironga, PhD

Geography Department

Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

Email:,

The course was reviewed by:

Professor Majaliwa Mwanjalolo

Makerere University, Uganda

Email: ;

The following organisations have played an important role in facilitating the creation of this course:

1.  The Association of African Universities through funding from DFID (http://aau.org/)

2.  The Regional Universities Forum for Capacities in Agriculture, Kampala, Uganda (http://ruforum.org/)

3.  Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya (http://egerton.ac.ke/)

These materials have been released under an open license: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/). This means that we encourage you to copy, share and where necessary adapt the materials to suite local contexts. However, we do reserve the right that all copies and derivatives should acknowledge the original author.

Course Description

Concepts and foundation of geo-informatics; Remote sensing; Photographic systems, thermal and multi-spectral scanning and image processing; Components and applications of a geographic information system (GIS); Characteristics of spatial data; Models of spatial information; Spatial relationships and algorithms; Spatial analysis (such as route planning, map overlay, buffer zoning, etc.); Database models for spatial data; Errors in spatial data; Sources of raster spatial data and introduction to remote sensing; Sources of vector spatial data; Ethical issues and spatial data; Cartographic communication - the display of spatial data. Coordinate systems and map projections; Remote sensing, Geo-DBMS (spatial ADT's, spatial indexing, etc), Mobile GIS" (location based services, combination with positioning, e.g. GPS, Galileo,); Examination of remote sensing and GIS applications in agriculture; Conventions and policy issues; Computer models; Laboratory assignments.

Prerequisites: This course does not have any prerequisites. However, basic computer skills are strongly recommended.

Course Aims

This course is intended to provide an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This course will introduce the audience to fundamental concepts of cartography, GIS, and geospatial data management. A particular emphasis is placed on the basics of geospatial data analysis to answer specific geographic questions. As a course in geographic technology, AICM 756 will focus on developing basic skills for manipulating geographic data in ArcGIS environment. This course is intended for all students who want to learn fundamentals of GIS and develop basic geospatial data manipulation skills.

Instruction Methodology

Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:
·  Present class lectures/discussions in order to assist students in achieving the learning outcomes by reviewing relevant course content.
·  Perform assigned lab activities in order to expose the student to situations/problems which reinforce lecture presentation material.
·  Show videos/films/slides/handouts in order to give the student a better feeling of exposure to activities within industry and related fields.
·  Field trips to selected sites in order to give the students an experience the applications of the course concepts of design as applied in the professions and industries using GIS technologies.
·  Develop and assign problem solving tasks and activities in order to assist the student in achieving learning objectives and by offering for students opportunities to develop a variety of solution methods to specific problems, while providing individualized learning opportunities.
·  Off site meetings at selected locations in order to provide students the experience of seeing GIS course content in use.
·  Develop and assign web-based/web-enhanced tasks and activities in order to assist the student in achieving learning objectives.
Instructional Materials/Equipment
Whiteboard, Text books, Handouts and Overhead Projectors.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
·  Define what GIS is and know different types of GIS data
·  Know what are the questions that GIS can answer
·  Differentiate between Raster and Vector Models
·  Create maps and overlay features/raster data for basic analyses
·  Handle and operate GPS instruments to collect data and transform for GIS applications
·  Understand basic theory and principles of EMR for data interpretation and analyses
Practical and Assessment
Lab sessions are held every week. The labs are conducted by teaching assistants (TA’s) who are there to introduce new assignments and answer questions. Their role is to guide you and make suggestions but in order to learn the concepts and software you must be prepared to try things on your own. The TA’s will not give you the answers to assignment questions, as this would deny you the chance to learn for yourself. Make sure you attend all of the lab sessions, as this is often where you will get valuable software tips and other help. It is also a great opportunity to get to know other students in the course. If you have to work on an assignment outside of your scheduled lab sessions check the lab schedule on the GIS lab room door for times that the room is available for general use.
Switching lab sections: If you wish to switch to a different lab section, go to the desired section and ask the TA for permission. Please do not drop in on other lab sections, as there may not be room, and it is not fair to other students for you to use the TA’s time when they should be helping students enrolled in that section.
Note: students can obtain a free one‐year student edition of ArcGIS from the Data, Map and GIS Centre.
The grading for this course will be based on three different aspects: exams, laboratory assignments, and a practical exam. The written exams include a midterm exam and a final exam each covering approximately half of the course material. The mid-term exam will count for 20% of the grade and the final exam will count for 60%. Although the final exam will not test specifically the material covered by the mid-term, the questions will require understanding and integration of all aspects covered by the course. These two exams will account for 90% of the total grade. The laboratory assignments (10%), practical exam (10%) will account for the remaining 20% of the student’s grade. Each laboratory assignment will be due at the beginning of the next class. Lab assignments build successively and therefore will not be accepted more than one day late.
*** Within our class, students may work together on homework assignments, however, each student absolutely must turn in their own work, from their own computer, and any discussion must be theirs alone, and not attributable to another person or group. Students may not use any textual discussion, calculations or programs from any other student or group of students.
Final Exam
The date for the final will be announced approximately midway through the semester. If you have a conflict with this date and time, please contact the instructor.
Recommended lab equipment
To print in the lab a print account will be necessary and can be obtained through the Office of ICT. Additionally, a USB jump drive may be used to store images and screen captures to be printed elsewhere. This is a highly recommended option since the file sizes are usually large and unforeseen technical difficulties with the printer might impede your ability to print in the lab.
Attendance policy
All students are required to attend lectures and lab sessions according to the class schedule. Should it become necessary for a student to miss a class or attend the lab at a different time due to illness, religious holidays, emergencies, or other reasons, the student should contact the instructor as quickly as possible.
COURSE OUTLINE
1.  INTRODUCTION TO GIS
1.1.0.  Introduction
1.1.1.  Definition of GIS
1.1.2.  Other definitions of GIS
1.1.3.  Other related terms
1.1.4.  Components of GIS
1.1.5.  Functions of GIS
2.  FUNDAMENAL CONCEPTS
2.0 Introduction
2.1 GIS data models
2.2 GIS data types
2.3 Attribute data models
2.4 Spatial data relationships
3.  DATA QUALITY, ACCURACY, ERROR AND PRECISION
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Characterizing geographic features
3.2 Data accuracy and quality
4.  SOURCES OF DATA, FORMATS AND INPUT TECHNIQUES
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Sources of data
4.2 Data input techniques
4.3 Interactive graphics design software
4.4 Data editing and quality assurance
4.5 Data verification
5.  DATA ORGANIZATION AND STORAGE
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Organizing data for analysis
5.2 Spatial data layers – vertical
5.3 spatial data indexing
5.4 editing and updating of data
5.5 Data retrieval and querying
6.  DATA ANALYSIS
6.0 Introduction
6.1 Manipulation and transformation of spatial data
6.2 Integration and modeling of spatial data
6.3 Integrated analytical functions of GIS
7.  GIS IMPLEMENTATION
7.0 Introduction
7.1 GIS Implementation
7.2 Current options and software Assessment
7.3 Justification and expectations
7.4 Implementation issues
7.5 learning curve
7.6 Productivity curve
7.7 The implementation curve
8.  UNDERSTANDING REMOTE SENSING IN GIS
8.1 What is Remote Sensing?
8.2 Electromagnetic Radiation
8.3 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
8.4 Radiation and the Atmosphere
8.5 Radiation - Target Interactions
8.6 Passive vs. Active Sensing
9. UNDERSTANDING CHACTERISTICS OF IMAGES
9.1 Characteristics of Images
9.2 On the Ground, In the Air, In Space
10. UNDERSTAING SATELLITE CHARACTERISTICS
10.1 Geostationary Orbits
10.2 Spatial Resolution, Pixel Size, and Scale
10.3 Spectral Resolution
10.4 Radiometric Resolution
10.5 Temporal Resolution
10.6 Cameras and Aerial Photography
10.7 Multispectral Scanning
10.8 Geometric Distortion in Imagery
11. DATA RECEPTION, TRANSMISSION AND PROCESSING
10.1 Introduction
10.1 Data Reception, Transmission, and Processing
12. REMOTE SENSING AND GIS
12.0 Introduction
12.1 RS and GIS applications for Agriculture
12.2 Areas of Emphasis in Agriculture
12.3 Data on Agriculture for exporters
12.4 Agriculture data for insurance companies
12.5 Agriculture data for fertilizer distribution companies
12.6  Comprehensive agricultural information
13. CURRENT ISSUES AND TRENDS IN GIS
13.0 Introduction
13.1 New data sources
13.2 Hardware developments
13.3 Software developments
13.4 Legal issues relating to GIS
14. ETHICAL ISSUES IN GIS
14.0 Introduction
14.1 Ethical dilemmas
14.2 Ethics and legal decisions
14.3 Ethical issues specific to electronic information systems
14.4 Electronic networks
14.5 Networks as sources of power
1.6 Networks as social places
15. PRACTICAL EXERCISES
15.0 Practical Exercises
15.1 Introduction to ArcView
16.0 Exercises 1 (Adding and Viewing data)
16.1Adding Feature Themes
16.2Using Legend Editor
16.3Zooming and Panning
17.0 Exercises 2 (Viewing and Editing data tables)
17.1 Viewing tables
Practical Exam
Note: 1) Readings are from the book by Paul Bolstad and labs from GIS Tutorial Updated for ArcGIS 9.3.
*The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the schedule as necessary
Course Evaluation
Students will be provided with the printouts explaining about the approaches of teaching and evaluation along with the Module Descriptor.
Text Books and Journals for Further Reading
All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:
Ormsby, Napoleon and Burke (2004). Getting to Know ArcGIS – Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor and ArcInfo Updated for ArcGIS 9. 2 ed. any: ESRI Press.
Keith C. Clarke (1997). Getting Started With Geographic Information Systems. 3 ed. New: Pretice-Hall.
Breslin, Frunzi, Napolean, O. (1998). Getting to Know ArcView GIS. 1 ed. Redlands: ESRI Press.
Forer, P., and D.J. Unwin (1997). Enabling progress in GIS and education. In P.A. Longley, M.F. Goodchild, D.J. Maguire, and D.W. Rhind (editors) Geographical Information Systems: Principles, Techniques, Management and Applications. Cambridge: GeoInformation International.
Goodchild, M.F. (1992). Geographical information science. International Journal of Geographical Information Systems 6(1): 31-45.
Wright, D.J., M.F. Goodchild, and J.D. Proctor (1997). Demystifying the persistent ambiguity of GIS as "tool" versus "science". Annals of the Association of American Geographers 87(2): 346-362.
John C. Antenucci and others (1991). Geographic Information Systems: A Guide to the Technology. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Tor Bernhardsen (1992) Geographic Information Systems. Arendal, Norway: Viak (but widely available in the US).
Keith C. Clarke (1997). Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Michael N. DeMers (1997). Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
GIS Information & Resources
·  Online GIS 'bookstores':
o  http://www.esri.com
o  http://www.geoplace.com
GIS magazines
o  GIS World - http://www.geoplace.com
o  Geo Info Systems - http://www.geoinfosystems.com
Web references
·  Some cool sites that do GIS over the Web
o  http://www.mapquest.com
o  http://www.esri.com and try the live demos
·  Sites of some major GIS software vendors
o  http://www.esri.com
o  http://www.intergraph.com
o  http://www.autodesk.com
·  Some other introductions to GIS
o  USGS GIS Tutorial - http://www.usgs.gov/research/gis/title.html
o  The Geographer's Craft - http://www.utexas.edu/depts/grg/gcraft/notes/intro/intro.html
o  Nick Chrisman's "What is GIS?" - http://faculty.washington.edu/chrisman/G460/Lec02.html
o  ESRI's About GIS - http://www.esri.com/library/gis/abtgis/what_gis.html
o  The Essential Guide to GIS - http://giswww.kingston.ac.uk/ESGUIDE/start.html
o  "What is GIS?" - http://www.dlsr.com.au/whatgis.htm

TOPIC ONE

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Introduction

The old adage "better information leads to better decisions" is true for GIS. A GIS is not just an automated decision making system but a tool to query, analyze, and map data in support of the decision making process. For example, GIS can be used to help reach a decision about the location of a new housing development that has minimal environmental impact, is located in a low risk area, and is close to a population center. The information can be presented succinctly and clearly in the form of a map and accompanying report, allowing decision makers to focus on the real issues rather than trying to understand the data. Because GIS products can be produced quickly, multiple scenarios can be evaluated efficiently and effectively.

FLEARNING OUTCOMES

1.1 Defining and Understanding the Debates around GIS

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-assisted system for the acquisition, storage, analysis and display of geographic data. Today, a variety of software tools are available to assist this activity. However, they can differ from one another quite significantly, in part because of the way they represent and work with geographic data, but also because of the relative emphasis they place on these various operations.