GIS - Geoscience Information Systems
When and where
To be advised for 2010
Duration: To be advised for 2010
School of Earth Sciences, The University of Melbourne
Course coordinator/contact
To be advised for 2010
Subject Coordinators
TBA
Course Outline:
The abundance of digital spatial data coupled with the development of technologies like Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has changed the way in which information about spatial phenomena is collected, managed, analysed and depicted. A GIS is not simply a computer system for making maps: although it can readily and very effectively accomplish this. The main difference between a GIS and computer mapping or drafting systems is that a GIS ‘knows about\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\' the complex spatial interrelationships that exist between phenomena in the real world as well as their non-spatial attributes. This allows us to go beyond making static digital maps from digital data by providing a technology with the capacity to answer questions that relate to what objects are, where they occur and how they relate to each other.
For example, a digital map can depict the magnitude and distribution of earthquakes relative to major faults and the earth\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s topography. A GIS can also do this, and it can be used to answer questions about the various phenomena shown on the map. How many quakes of a chosen minimum magnitude occur within a specified area and specified time period? Is there a correlation between the density of quakes and faults in a particular orientation? What is the relationship between the topographic gradient and elevation within a chosen area? Are Cu anomalies in a sediment geochemistry survey correlated with a particular lithology and regolith type, and if so, where do these two phenomena occur together?
This course will introduce the concept of a GIS as a problem solving technology within the geosciences, and through hands-on practical classes and lectures will provide the basic hands-on skills needed to design and implement a GIS project. Specific topics will include map projections and georeferencing, distortions in image data, raster and vector data models, incorporating digital terrain models and geophysical data, introduction to boolean logic and functions, data accuracy and access issues and limitations of GIS. The course will include examination of case histories of GIS projects and students will also build a GIS project of their own to solve a simulated exploration problem using MapInfo software and a real world data set.
Special Requirements: None; however basic computer skills and some knowledge of statistics would be an advantage.
Course Assesment:
TBA
Special Requirements:
Duration of course = 5 days
Payment Information:
There is no payment required.
Groups:
Information Technology
Field Trip: : NO
Course Fees:
MCA Student: $0.00
External Student: $0.00
Industry: $0.00
