This course introduces students to the key facets of geographic information science (GIScience). The course commences by reviewing definitions for GIS including the distinction between GISystem, GIScience, components of GIS and a brief history of GIS. The special characteristics of spatial, or geographic, data are then reviewed. Scale, orientation and projection are introduced. Digital models of spatial data are then reviewed. Methods for acquiring, transforming and manipulating spatial data are discussed. The two models for spatial data storage, manipulation and presentation, raster and vector, are discussed. Reasons for using either or both of these data structures are reviewed as part of this discussion. Topological relationships between spatial objects will also form part of this discussion.
In addition to spatial data, attribute, or textual, data are an important item in any GIS. We will discuss how attribute data can be stored and analysed within GIS. The relational database model will be discussed as a convenient method for the storage of this attribute information. Entity-relationship modelling will be discussed as a method for conceptualising the storage of attribute data. The remaining lectorials program will be comprised of case studies, where spatial information and the application of GIS has been an integral component.