? Credit Points : 20  ? SCQF Level : 11  ? Acronym : GEO-P-GISPGIS

This course provides an essential foundation to other modules for students with limited knowledge of the field. Its existence as an option module is a reflection of the fact that most students come with some background in GIS, but this module allows the course to be tailored to those who do not have this background. The module traces the origins and development of GIS, outlining the differences between GIS and therelated technologies of digital mapping, CAD and DBMS. The different models that GIS employ to represent real-world entities are reviewed and 3-D and temporal phenomena are introduced. Elements of graphic design and communication are reviewed, with the intention of ensuring results are comprehensible and effectively portrayed. The wider social and economic factors influencing the success or failure of GIS are reviewed. A series of linked practicals reinforce lecture material and provide a hands-on introduction tailored for new users of GIS.

? Pre-requisites : Available only to postgraduate students.

Home subject area

Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences), (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 8 weeks

? Other Required Attendance : 2 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

First Class Information

Date Start End Room Area Additional Information 20/09/2005 14:00 16:00 Lecture Theatre, Old High School Central

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area Lecture Tuesday 14:00 15:50 Central Laboratory Tuesday 16:10 18:00 Central

to be provided

to be provided

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length 1ST December 1 - 1 hour(s) 30 minutes

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Ms Kirsty Wilson
Tel : (0131 6)50 2543
Email : kirsty.wilson@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Dr William Alfred Mackaness
Tel : (0131 6)50 8163
Email : William.Mackaness@ed.ac.uk

Course Website : http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/postgraduate/MSc/GISpages.html

School Website : http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/