This course provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and is based around a hypothetical, but realistic Environmental Impact Study in a small coastal catchment. GIS are widely used by government agencies and research organisations in the environmental sciences and to assist with resource and environmental management decision making, in part due to the rapid growth in the availability of high quality digital spatial data. This course aims to develop both a solid theoretical understanding and a comprehensive practical grounding through the construction and integration of a range of spatial models. On the satisfactory completion of this course, students will have completed realistic hydrological, erosion, conservation, wildlife habitat, forest, agriculture, fire and economic models within the GIS. The integration of these sub-models to inform decision makers about recommended landuse options will be based on Multi-criteria Evaluation and Multiple Objective Land Use Allocation frameworks.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduate students but are assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain the theoretical and practical considerations required for conducting a GIS-based landuse planning analysis for decision support in a professional manner
2. prepare, manipulate, display and analyse spatial data
3. use a Global Positioning System to assist in conducting rigorous field checking of satellite imagery
4. synthesise and present high quality GIS-based outputs in a report format

Regular attendance and participation in class work is required. Any students who fail to participate in practical sessions on a regular basis but still submit practical work may be invited to demonstrate that it is their own work. Assessment will be based on:

• Project based on lab work (40%)
• Field journal (10%)
• Two term tests (50% total)

65 hours contact comprising twenty-six hours of lectures, twenty-two hours of practicals and one day in the field (equivalent to three practicals).

Bachelor degree; general science knowledge.

Jensen, J.R. (2005) Introductory Digital Image Processing, Prentice Hall.

Chang, K., (2010) Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (fifth edition), McGraw Hill.