Course details

Geographical Information Systems

GIS Acad. year 2023/2024 Summer semester 5 credits

Current academic year

Course is not open in this year

Students will learn the basic principles of GIS systems (Geographic Information System), the problems of storing and processing information about objects defined by their geographic coordinates and the generating of user specified electronic maps. Moreover, the course is oriented also to basics of topology and computer modelling, which will be employed in design of a particular GIS database structure. Rather large chapter of GISes is the modelling of geoobjects into a vector and raster form. Doing various surveys is another important aspect of GISes. Student will use there their knowledge of current position measurement and navigation.  In the second part of the course, the lectures will bring some notes about analysis and processing of the stored data. Students will explore two well known GIS systems ArcView and Grass in the practical computer exercises and will have some opportunity to do experiments with them.

Guarantor

Hrubý Martin, Ing., Ph.D. (DITS)

Language of instruction

Czech

Completion

Credit+Examination (written+oral)

Time span

  • 26 hrs lectures
  • 10 hrs pc labs
  • 16 hrs projects

Assessment points

  • 60 pts final exam
  • 10 pts mid-term test
  • 30 pts projects

Department

Department of Intelligent Systems (UITS)

Learning objectives

The goal of the course is to teach students the principles of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and to prepare them for the practical work with GIS systems which means their design, implementation, doing geographical surveys, analyzing GIS databases and their applications in industry, research and commerce.

Students will learn the theoretical basis of GIS systems, their connection to WWW, data bases and display systems. The students will also learn to operate the ArcView and Grass system.
Students will enter very specific area of information systems which is connected to description of our planet, natural sciences and introducing the information society into practice.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basics of modelling and simulation of systems. Database systems. Information systems.

Study literature

  • Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D. J., Rhind, D.R.: Geographic Information Systems and Science, ESRI Press, 2001, USA
  • Tuček, J.: Geografické informační systémy, Computer Press, 1998
  • Monmonier, M.: Proč mapy lžou, Computer Press, 2002
  • Peters, D.: Building a GIS: System Architecture Design Strategies for Managers, ESRI Press, 2012
  • Korte, G.B.: The GIS Book (páté vydání), OnWord Press, 2001, Kanada

Syllabus of lectures

  • Introduction to GIS systems. Basics of geography.
  • Structure and functions of GIS.
  • Modelling of geographical objects.
  • Representation of spatial objects in GIS databases.
  • Database support for making the GIS systems.
  • Activities in a typical GIS project.
  • Doing geographical surveys.
  • Processing and visualization of geographical data.
  • GIS products ArcView and Grass.
  • User specified maps creating.
  • Technical equipment for GIS support. Maintenance of GIS software systems.
  • Navigation in terrain using the GIS equipment.
  • Application of GIS in industry, administration and natural sciences.

Syllabus of computer exercises

  • Implementation of a simple GIS database.
  • Operating the ArcView GIS program.
  • Operating the Grass GIS program.
  • Generating electronic maps from GIS databases.

Syllabus - others, projects and individual work of students

Individually assigned project for the whole duration of the course - project will bring students into a design of their own small GIS system, doing surveys and analysis.

Progress assessment

Mid-term test and an individual project.
Mid-term exam (incl. test if it is declared), laboratory practice supported by a project and final exam are the monitored, and points earning, education.
Mid-term exam and laboratory practice (supported by the project) are without alternative. Final exam has two additional alternatives.The minimal number of points which can be obtained from the final exam is 25. Otherwise,
no points will be assigned to a student.

Exam prerequisites

Students have to release a individually made project which will be evaluated at least with one third of points (10 points from 30).

Course inclusion in study plans

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