Course aims:

 Knowing, understanding and a correct using of fundamental ideas concerning concepts specific to GIS.
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Course Entry Requirements:

Cartography; Geomorphology; CAD techniques.

Course contents:

The course covers the following main topics:  Introduction and theoretical issues in GIS;  Areas of GIS applicability;  GIS components;  GIS functions;  Spatial data structures. Internal representation of vector layers. Internal encoding of a raster;  Databases;  Spatial data acquisition;  Data conversions. Data import. Import from other GIS software. Import from CAD software;  Data structures. Designing a database for attribute data;  Acquiring and integrating data;  Attribute and spatial queries;  Building surface models;  Exploratory data analysis;  Maps and digital cartography. Thematic mapping techniques.

Teaching methods:

Conversation, exemplification.

Learning outcomes:

 Using GIS enhances students' ability to think critcally about analyzing data.  Using GIS promotes students' ability to use numbers and numeric skills, and to use tools that facilitate processing and transferreing information.;  This technology enables students to visualize spatial patterns, linkages, and relationships. GIS is used not only in geography courses, but in environmental studies, earth science, history, mathematics, chemistry, biology, language arts,and other subjects.

Learning outcomes verification and assessment criteria:

 A two-hour written examination (75% of the final grade)  Carrying out practical work. (25% of the final grade)

Recommended reading:

 GIS by ESRI – Michael Minami, Using Arc Map, Enviromental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100, USA;
 GIS by ESRI – ***, Editing in Arc Map, Enviromental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100, USA;
 GIS by ESRI – Aleta Vienneau, Using Arc Catalog, Enviromental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 380 New York Street, Redlands, CA 92373-8100, USA;
 Wheatley,D., Gillings, M., Spatial Technology and Archaeology – The Archaeological Applications of GIS, 2002.