Master of Science (Geoinformatics)
Introduction
This is one of the core courses designed to provide an understanding of theory and principles of geospatial information science and technology (GI S&T) and basic skills in using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The topics covered include: Maps and their characteristics; Conventional mapping vs digital mapping vs Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Concepts of geospatial data; Digital data storage; Computer software (word processing, ‘spreadsheet’, database system); GIS definitions; GIS subsystems (Data Input, Data Storage & Management, Data Manipulation & Analysis, Data Output); Model & data structure of geospatial data (vector data model, tessellation data model, Digital Elevation Model/ DEM); Model data conversion (vector <-> raster); Coordinate system (curve vs plane coordinates, map projection, plane coordinate manipulation); Height data manipulation; Accuracy of geospatial data (positional, attributes); GIS working components (technology, data, users). Implementation issues (data, organizational); GIS System procurement.
Course Synopsis
| This is one of the core courses designed to provide an understanding of theory and principles of geospatial information science and technology (GI S&T) and basic skills in using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The topics covered include: Maps and their characteristics; Conventional mapping vs digital mapping vs Geographic Information Systems (GIS); Concepts of geospatial data; Digital data storage; Computer software (word processing, ‘spreadsheet’, database system); GIS definitions; GIS subsystems (Data Input, Data Storage & Management, Data Manipulation & Analysis, Data Output); Model & data structure of geospatial data (vector data model, tessellation data model, Digital Elevation Model/ DEM); Model data conversion (vector <-> raster); Coordinate system (curve vs plane coordinates, map projection, plane coordinate manipulation); Height data manipulation; Accuracy of geospatial data (positional, attributes); GIS working components (technology, data, users). Implementation issues (data, organizational); GIS System procurement. |
| MGHG 1124 | Geospatial Databases | Introduction to data and database systems, file-based system, database approach, database management system, database environment, three level ANSI-SPARC Architecture, database language: DDL & DML, data models, relational model, relational algebra, and calculus, structure query language objectives and commands, data manipulation, database planning, analysis and design techniques, entity relationship modeling, types, relationships, attributes, normalization purpose and process, 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, and BCNF, database design methodology, conceptual database design methodology, logical database design methodology for relational model, physical database design methodology for relational model. |
| MGHG 1134 | Spatial Analysis & Modeling | This course presents the principles and methodology for spatial data analysis. In particular, it emphasises on the analyses that are commonly found in GIS which include point data analysis, lines and network data analysis, area objects and spatial autocorrelation, raster or fields based analysis and new approaches to spatial analysis. The course features extensive use of geospatial analysis software tools through group as well as individual project works. |
| MGHG 1234 | Geospatial Data Management |
This course is designed to provide the students with a greater emphasis on the understanding of geospatial data and how, in practice, it is handled and managed. Among the topics covered throughout the course are: § General problems with geospatial data handling and related issues § Geospatial data standard, sharing/ exchange & distribution (MaCGDI, MS1759, feature and attribute coding, metadata, data catalogue, MyGeoportal, data security) § Geospatial data storage (sources, format, conversion, compression) § Data Quality(error sources, error in map digitizing, tracking error in coordinate transformation, improvement of spatial accuracy) § Data Integrity and Topology (planar, network, error checking, logical consistency) § Global Positioning System (GPS) data capture & processing (differential correction, coordinate transformation, height data reduction, accuracy enhancement) |
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§ Height/ surface data handling (JUPEM’s topographic data, GPS data, LiDAR data, geological data, interpolation, extrapolation, TIN, DEM) § Data transfer (format, compression, methods) |
| MGHG 1243 | Programming for GIS | There are two goals for this course. First, students will be exposed to introductory programmingusingeither Python, VBA, Ruby or IDL. The students will learn the programming logic, flow control and structured and OO programming. The students also will learn how to start using the programming and scripting features of common GIS and remote sensing (RS) platforms. Second, students will choose one or more GIS/RS platforms and explore its scripting languages in solving any of a variety of GIS/RS problems programmatically (e.g. automating procedures, modeling, custom image processing, spatial statistics, etc.). |
| MGHG 1514 | Geospatial Data Acquisition and Processing | This is one of the elective courses designed to provide an understanding of the fundamental principles of photogrammetry and remote sensing. In photogrammetry, the emphasis will be given on the theory and methodology for the production of topographic map, plan, digital terrain model (DTM), orthophoto and rectified photo using aerial photographs. On the other hand, the course on Remote Sensing exposes the students to the concepts of satellite mapping and provides them with technical skill in image processing (image enhancement, transformation and classification). |
| MGHG 1524 | GIS Project Management | This course presents the principles, methods and techniques, and practices of project management to be applied to Geographic Information System (GIS) projects. The aim of this course is to provide students with a practical understanding of basic project management techniques and to enable them to use the knowledge and skills to solve varieties of GIS problems. To meet this aim, the course features a phased approach and extensive use of project management software. In order to increase the effectiveness of students learning, they are encouraged to plan and initiate a GIS project for their group project assignment. |
| MGHG 1544 | GIS Application Development |
This is one of the core courses designed to provide a more detailed knowledge about GIS software especially those that are commonly used by the GIS community. Students are also exposed with more hands-on exercises using the software. The outline of the course is as below: · GIS software in the market: Focus on ESRI products, MapInfo and Geomedia · Supported Data Model/ Structures: Vector, Tesselation (Raster); Topological, Non topological · Adopted database concepts: georelational, object-oriented · Software functions: Input, Storage & Management, Manipulation & Analysis, Output · Integration with external software: packages – DBMS, modeling, mapping, statistical · Development & Enhancement: C++, Avenue, VBA, other programming languages · Supported platforms: OS, platform · GIS Software – ESRI Products (ArcView, ArcInfo, ArcGIS, ArcPad, Model Builder, What-If) · GIS Software – MapInfo · GIS Software – Geomedia |
Programme Structure
Table 2: Curriculum for Master of Science (Geoinformatics) Programme
|
Codes |
Courses |
Credits |
| UNIVERSITY COURSE (3 CREDITS) | ||
| UHAW 6023 | University Subject | 3 |
| CORE COURSES (22 CREDITS, COMPULSORY) | ||
| MGHG 1114 | Principles of GIS | 4 |
| MGHG 1124 | Geospatial Databases | 4 |
| MGHG 1134 | Spatial Analysis & Modeling | 4 |
| MGHG 1223 | Research Methods in GIS | 3 |
| MGHG 1234 | Geospatial Data Management | 4 |
| MGHG 1243 | Programming for GIS | 3 |
| MASTER PROJECT (8 CREDITS) | ||
| MGHG 2218 | Master Project | 8 |
| ELECTIVE COURSES (CHOOSE THREE (3) COURSES) (12 CREDITS) | ||
| MGHG 1514 | Geospatial Data Acquisition and Processing | 4 |
| MGHG 1524 | GIS Project Management | 4 |
| MGHG 1534 | GIS Applications | 4 |
| MGHG 1544 | GIS Application Development | 4 |
| MGHG 1554 | GIS Implementation | 4 |
| MGHG 1564 | GIS & Public Policy | 4 |
| MGHG 1574 | Cartography and Visualisation | 4 |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS | 45 | |