Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. GIS have become a tool with widespread use in developmental applications. The power of a GIS can have a positive influence in community based planning and scientific decision making for developmental activities.

In this course, you will learn about basic GIS concepts including spatial data structures, data sources and transfer methods, projections and coordinate systems, geo-referencing, metadata, supporting software, global positioning systems, the integration of remote sensing and GIS, as well as fundamental spatial analysis techniques such as overlay, extraction, and interpolation. Concepts presented in class will be put into practice through hands-on laboratory exercises utilizing the GIS software product like: ArcGIS, AutoCAD Map, Quantum GIS, GRASS and ERDAS.

Course objectives

• Gain a basic, practical understanding of GIS concepts, techniques and real world applications
• Understand the basic concepts of geography necessary to efficiently and accurately use GIS technology
• Understand geographic and projected coordinate system
• Define the basic component of map
• Understand basic GIS data concepts, GIS data various source and acquisition
• Define and design the GIS data model, vector rater and attribute
• Understand the Global Positioning System and how it works
• Understand the Arial surveying and how it works
• Understand the Remote Sensing and how it works
• Understand basic GIS analysis concepts
• Understand the practical applications of GIS
• Understand the technical language of GIS
• Learn how GIS is utilized in the larger context of business needs and IT strategies
• Gain practical experience using basic GIS tools
• Hand on practical exercise on most popular GIS software like ArcGIS Desktop 10, AutoCAD Map 3D, QuatamGIS