FOR3206 - GIS and Remote Sensing Applications - SUMMER (4.00 Credits)

1.1.                 GIS and Remote Sensing Applications

COURSE CODE:                             FOR 3206

COURSE TITLE:                             GIS and Remote Sensing Applications

CREDIT:                                           4

Exemptions:                                        Persons who may have completed an equivalent course from an accredited tertiary level institution may be considered for exemptions on a case by case basis.

 

Pre-requisite:                                      Introductory Course in Computer Science or Information Technology (IT)

Course Description

The material covered in the course constitutes the basis for Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing.  The main objective of the course is to familiarize students with basic knowledge and practical skills of GIS and integration of remote sensing in GIS.  Special attention will be placed on the application of GIS and remote sensing for making decisions in forestry.  Since GIS and remote sensing depend on the use of computer technology and global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, the course will entail weekly practical where students will obtain hands on instruction in the use of these technologies. Students will also work in groups to conduct projects to illustrate the application of these technologies for the improvement of forestry in Guyana.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Define technical terms used in GIS and Remote Sensing.
  2. Describe the importance of GIS to natural resources management including forestry.
  3. Identify some important pros and cons of GIS & Remote Sensing
  4. Apply GIS to forest management.
  5. Apply remote sensing to solving problems in forestry in Guyana.

`

Course Content

This course creates opportunities for the students to learn the following principles and concepts in GIS:

  • Definition of GIS and remote sensing
  • Geographic information characteristics
  • Sources of spatial data
  • Spatial analysis functions
  • Visualization and cartographic design and oriented application specifically for forestry.
  • Remote sensing and its integration in GIS
  • GIS & Remote sensing data characteristics

 

.

COURSE STRUCTURE

WEEK

TOPIC

1

Introduction to GIS

  • Definition of GIS
  • Historical Development of GIS
  • The purpose of GIS
  • Application of GIS
  • Limitations of GIS

Practical: Exploring QGIS Interface

2

Spatial Data Concepts

§  Data Types

§  Data Sources

§  Spatial Reference System:

o   Coordinate System

o   Map projection

o   Datum

o   Map reading

§  Data Integration

Practical: Importing data and Map creation

3

Data Creation and Spatial Analysis Concepts

§  Digitizing/vectorization

§  Import

§  Data Management (Merge/ convert)

§  Proximity Analysis (Buffer)

§  Overlay Analysis ( Spatial Join & Erase)

§  Extract Analysis (Clip & Select)

§  Inventory plot establishment

§  Creation of operational units/sample plots

Practical: Completion of data processing  

Submission of Assignment # 1 Creation of Maps

4

Introduction to Remote Sensing

  • Types and theory of Remote sensing
  • Planning aerial photo acquisition

Digital Image Processing

  • Image restoration
  • Image rectification

Practical: Image processing and data overlay

Examination #1

5

Application of GIS/Remote Sensing In Forestry

Concept of Sustainable Forest Management

EU-FLEGT

PEFC

REDD+

MRVS

Revision

6

Application of GIS/Remote Sensing in forest management

Group Presentations of Projects            

Revision

7

Final Examination

 

Methods of Teaching

Instruction in this course will consist of lectures, practical sessions.

  • Presentational and Interactive Teaching and Learning:
    • Interactive Lectures and Audio-visual Presentation
  • Collaborative Learning:
    • Group Discussions
    • Group Project (a Group Project on the application of GIS to forest management)
  • Active and Experiential Learning:
    • Weekly Practical Sessions
  • 21st Century Technologies
    • The Learning Management System, Moodle will be used throughout the semester to post notes, and course related materials.

 

 

Methods of Assessment

Examination 1                                    20%

Practical reports                                  15%

Group Presentation of Project             25%

Final Examination                            40%   

 

TOTAL                                              100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Required Readings

Grotta, A. (2015). Mapping your forest with Google Earth and a GPS phone app. Oregon State University. Retrieved from http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/treetopics/2015/06/09/mapping-your-forest-with-google-earth-and-a-gps-phone-app/

Imad A. (n.d.) Spatial Analysis in GIS.  Retrieved from https://www.ida.liu.se/~746A10/resources/SpatialAnalysisinGIS.pdf

Natural Resources Canada. (2016). Fundamental of Remote Sensing. A Canada Center for Remote Sensing Tutorial. Retrieved from http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geomatics/satellite-imagery-air-photos/satellite-imagery-products/educational-resources/9309

Schmandt, M. (n.d.). GIS Common: An Introductory Textbook on Geographic Information Systems. Retrieved from http://giscommons.org/

University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension. (2015). GIS Training Topics. Retrieved from https://extension.unh.edu/Training-Topics/GIS-Training-Topics

Semester: S2
Department: Department of Forestry
Faculty: Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
Delivery Mode: Online