Categories & Courses

GIS Fundamentals

The courses in GIS Fundamentals module provide students with knowledge, i.e. theory and skills for continuation of Graduate Studies in the GIS Cluster. The courses listed in this category have no prerequisites. This category includes but is not limited to:

1. An understanding of projections and transformations;
2. The development of basic skill with a GIS software package;
3. An understanding of a systematic process for the development of a GIS, i.e. “The Systematic Approach to Information Systems Development”;
4. Fundamental concepts for spatial analysis (either cellular, vector or both), and
5. An understanding of metadata, scale, relative vs. absolute spatial accuracy, and the timeliness of GIS data.

Geomatics (Measurements, Data Organization, And Reliability)

GEO is a prefix for earth, and MATICS suggest the practical application of information and mathematics. Additionally, Geomatics is complementary to many other disciplines, which use GIS and spatial analysis techniques.  Therefore, courses in the Geomatics module cover basic mapping principles necessary for an understanding of “DATA BUILDING” activities previously known as surveying, mapping, photogrammetry, digital mapping and land information systems (LIS).

Geomatics uses the measurement and mapping sciences such as land measurement, digital mapping, remote sensing, satellite positioning to design and populate a useable spatially referenced data set for appropriate spatial analysis by a specified user community.

Geostatistics

Spatially referenced information may be analyzed in many more ways than non-spatial data because spatial organization adds many attributes to each datum. A wide range of analytical philosophies and techniques has been developed to:

1. Describe spatial structure and patterns;
2. Model spatial processes;
3. Test hypotheses based upon spatial organization or correlation;
4. Interpolate measurements over fields;
5. Estimate and predict outcomes of changing conditions.

GIS users must understand the applications and assumptions of existing methods, and must be able to learn new methods as they are developed. The courses listed in this category have statistics prerequisites normally required as part of the graduate students’ departmental curriculum.

Remote Sensing And Image Processing Fundamentals

Remote sensing involves the gathering of information about an object or objects without having physical contact with the object. Ears and eyes are examples of natural sensors that have remote sensing capabilities. As a result of scientific research and development, remote sensing systems are being built today for ground-based, airborne-based, and satellite-based platforms. The goal of these efforts is to provide a more rapid and comprehensive picture of the object being studied. The remotely sensed images provide data to the computer, which are digitally compatible with computer software developed for interpreting physical meaning on the earth surface.

GIS practitioners should realize a fact that remotely sensed images provide a more rapid comprehensive overview of the earth surface information in a given area.

Spatial Analysis, Modeling And Decision Support

The courses in the spatial analysis/modeling module will present advanced spatial analysis. The course is intended to present students with procedures to answer spatial analysis questions. Students will be required to complete a final project and to describe that project in a project paper. The courses listed in this category have no prerequisites required. Topics may include but are not limited to:

1. Spatial overlay;
2. Suitability surface development and costpath analysis;
3. Project design and interface modification;
4. Network analysis — routing;
5. Demographic or environmental analysis;
   1. Project presentation;
   2. Model development and programming;
6. Hydrologic modeling;
7. Decision support and advanced applications

Course List