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This document provides notes from lectures on GIS (Geographic Information Science). It covers key concepts such as scale, projections, and spatial analysis techniques. It also outlines the basic functions of GIS software such as mapping data, performing analysis, and communicating results. Example analysis includes mapping locations and densities, as well as change over time. Common data types in GIS are vectors (points, lines, polygons) and rasters, each with their own properties for representing geographic features. Coordinate systems and map projections are also discussed to accurately overlay spatial data.

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Declan koech
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19 views

8442 Sample

This document provides notes from lectures on GIS (Geographic Information Science). It covers key concepts such as scale, projections, and spatial analysis techniques. It also outlines the basic functions of GIS software such as mapping data, performing analysis, and communicating results. Example analysis includes mapping locations and densities, as well as change over time. Common data types in GIS are vectors (points, lines, polygons) and rasters, each with their own properties for representing geographic features. Coordinate systems and map projections are also discussed to accurately overlay spatial data.

Uploaded by

Declan koech
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GIS Exam Notes

Key Outcomes
1. Identify and define key concepts and principles of geographic information science, including
scale, projections, interactions and interdependence
2. Perform basic operations using geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing
software
3. Organise, analyse and interpret geographic information using a range of techniques
4. Communicate the outputs of geographic analysis in both map and written formats – Flow
diagram
5. Apply standard geographic information science concepts and techniques to a range of contexts

Lecture 1: GIS – Geographic information science


Covers:

- Acquisition of geographic (spatial) information (data)


- Mapping and presentation of spatial data
- Spatial analysis and interpretation

Visual data facilitates the interpretation of geographic patterns and processes

Used for

- Data storage, visualisation and synthesis to inform decision making

Spatial toolbox: Allows users to understand, communicate and analyse geographic processes,
relationships and patterns

- Cartography (mapping)
 Study and practice of making maps
- Remote sensing
 Important source of spatial data – satellites, aerial photography
- Geographic Information systems (GIS)
 Integrates hardware, software and data for capturing, managing, analysing and
displaying all forms of geographically referencing information
- Global Positioning systems (GPS)
 Satellite based navigation system – 24 satellites

Lecture 2: Getting started with GIS


GIS can;
- Map where things are - roads
- Quantities – obesity rate across US
- Densities – population density
- Find what’s inside – number of animals in an area
- Find what’s nearby
- Map change: Gains and losses/ Land change analysis

ArcGIS Desktop
ArcMap – main application, used to view, edit, create, analyse geospatial information

- Map file (.mxd) used to display data – saves arrangement, colouring, symbology
- Does not save spatial data!

ArcCatalog – file (map) management program, used to move, create and store geospatial information

ArcToolbox – contains the geoprocessing (analysis) applications

dBASE – (.dbf) Table in ArcGIS, able to import from Excel

Two types of data:


Vector: Used to define objects with distinct boundaries

- Roads, railway stations, property boundaries


- Represented as points, polylines and polygons

Raster: Used to define features and phenomena with a continuous surface and without a defined
outline

- Rainfall, elevation, temperature


- Represented as cell matrices that store numeric values

Vector:
- Vector features shape is represented using geometry: made up of one or more interconnected
vertices
- Attribute table – consists of text or numerical information that describes the features

Points: A vertex is a position in space defined by XY coordinate – contained


within a coordinates table

 X coordinate = Longitude 
 Y coordinate = Latitude ^
- A singe vertex is called a node
Polylines: Occur where vector geometry consists of two or more points
that connect to form lines

- Beginning and end point are called nodes


- Points within polylines where line changes direction are called
vertices
- Lines that connect vertices and nodes are called arcs

Polygons: consist of three or more vertices that connect to form an enclosed


shape

- First and last nodes are the same

Vector data is saved in a shapefile (.shp), and can be a geodatabase/table (.gdb)

Raster Data:
Represents geographic features by dividing space into discrete square or rectangular cells of equal size

- Each cell (sometimes called a pixel) has a value that is used to represent some characteristic of
that location – temperature, land class, elevation, spectral value

Commonly used for representing and managing imagery over a continuous surface
Geodatabases – collection of geographic datasets of various types, held in a common file system folder
- Combines geo (spatial data) with database (data repository) to create a central data repository
for spatial data storage and management

Benefits:

- Ability to store rich collection of spatial data in a centralised location


- Maintain integrity of spatial data
- Work within a multiuser access and editing environment

Lecture 3: Coordinate Systems and map projections


Overlaying spatial data correctly is crucial to get an accurate representation in a map – enable multiple
data layers to overlap

Cartesian Coordinate System (x,y)

- X-axis (horizontal line)


- Y-axis (vertical line)
- Z-axis can also be used to indicate depth (or height)

Two types of coordinate systems in GIS are:


1. Geographic coordinate systems (GCS)
2. Projected coordinate systems (PCS)

Geographic coordinate systems (GCS)


- Use latitude (Y-axis - is fat) and longitude (X-
axis) to define spatial location of features on the
surface of a 3D model
- Illustrated with a network of intersecting lines
of latitude (parallels) and longitude (meridians)
called graticules

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