GL/MN 455 Geographic Information Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

The course GL/MN 455 is being presented by a licensed teacher.

False (B)

The course GL/MN 455 focuses on Geographic Information Systems.

True (A)

The course assessment includes field work.

False (B)

The first lecture will give an overview of Remote Sensing.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Bernard Kumi-Boateng is a licensed surveyor.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a spatial database, features are represented with their geometric but not their non-geometric attributes and relationships.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The geometry of features is always represented with points, regardless of the feature's actual dimension.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

GIS software packages only support spatial data, relying on external systems for attribute data.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A spatial decision support system (SDSS) arises from combining a database, GIS software, and a reasoning mechanism.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a GIS, data are stored in a single, monolithic layer, representing all geographic information.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Analysis of spatial data involves computing new information from existing spatial data to provide new insight.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Overlay, connectivity, and neighborhood functions are GIS functions.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Classification in GIS allows assigning features to a class based solely on visual inspection of the spatial data.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A map scale of $1:1000$ represents less detail than a map scale of $1:2,500,000$.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Map scale is the ratio between the distance on a paper map and the apparent distance in the terrain.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Digital spatial data stored in a GIS inherently possesses a scale.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cartography, emergency management, and environmental sciences are all applications of GIS.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The resolution of spatial data is directly related to the cell height of the tessellation applied.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A 'small-scale' map displays more detail than a 'large-scale' map.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

GIS can be applied to real estate appraisals but cannot be applied to urban planning and development

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

GIS software architecture and functionality is an objective of the lecture.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

GIS cannot be applied to boundary dispute resolutions.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Data processing systems consist only of software components that are designed to manipulate data

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An intersection of spatial areas involves selecting both areas and finding their points of overlap.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The union of potato and maize areas can be performed by selecting both areas in the crop data layer and taking their complement.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A difference operator is used to find areas with potato cover that also exist in clay soil areas.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A buffer zone is generated around a given feature to define its spatial influence area.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Connectivity functions are used specifically for analyzing non-connected, urban spatial features.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Visibility functions are used to determine the invisible areas from a given location using a digital terrain model.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Spatial data presentation can involve both maps and tabular displays.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A database is a small, unstructured collection of data used for statistical analysis.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Raster overlays perform their computations cell by cell.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Raster calculus is a language that does not exist.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The neighbourhood for a target location can only be defined as a fixed distance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Buffer zone generation is a common technique in proximity computation.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Spread computation takes into account local terrain factors that influence material spread.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

All neighbourhood analyses must define the proximity of target locations to other features.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Proximity computations only use spatial data based on time.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A typical example of spread computation includes assessing the dispersion of air pollution over a region.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Overlay functions in GIS are primarily used for creating features in multiple layers.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The primitives of vector data sets include points, lines, and polygons.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Measurements on raster data are less complex due to the variability of cell sizes.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Neighbourhood functions evaluate characteristics based only on the features at the same location.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Attribute data is ignored when performing spatial selection queries.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The area size of a specific part of a raster can be calculated by multiplying the number of cells by the total cell area size.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Interactive spatial selection involves drawing spatial objects to define selection conditions.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A common use of area size measurements in GIS is to determine the area covered by grades greater than 2.5.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

A system designed to capture, store, analyze, and manage spatial or geographic data.

Course Schedule

A planned timetable outlining topics and activities for the semester.

Assessment of Course

Evaluation methods used to measure student performance and understanding in the course.

Lecture Material Sources

The origin of materials and resources used for teaching in the course.

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Objectives of Course

The goals or learning outcomes that students are expected to achieve by the end of the course.

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Spatial Database

A database designed to store and manage spatial data, including geometric and non-geometric attributes.

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Geometric Attributes

Characteristics that define the shape and location of spatial features, represented by geometric primitives.

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Vector vs Raster

Two approaches for representing spatial data; vector uses points/lines/polygons, raster uses a grid of cells.

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Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS)

A system combining databases, GIS software, and reasoning for spatial decision-making.

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GIS Layers

Data in a GIS is organized into layers (or themes), each representing different features or data types.

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Analysis of Spatial Data

The process of generating new information from stored spatial data to gain insights.

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Classification Functions

Functions in GIS that assign features to categories based on their attributes.

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Retrieval Functions

Functions that allow selective searching for specific data in a spatial database.

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Map Scale

The ratio between the distance on a map and the distance in reality.

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Large-Scale Map

Maps with a large ratio, showing detailed information.

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Small-Scale Map

Maps with a small ratio, displaying less detail.

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Resolution in GIS

The detail level of spatial data, typically tied to cell width.

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Cartography

The science and art of making maps.

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GIS Applications

Various fields where Geographic Information Systems are utilized.

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Spatial Data Handling

The process of managing and analyzing spatial data.

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Data Processing Systems

Computer systems that manage hardware and software for data.

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Database Management Systems

Software that handles the storage, retrieval, and management of data.

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Spatial Distribution

The arrangement of various elements across a geographic space.

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Overlay Functions

Operations used to analyze spatial areas, including intersections, unions, differences, and complements.

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Intersection in GIS

Finding common areas between two spatial layers, such as potato fields on clay soils.

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Union in GIS

Combining multiple spatial areas to form a single area, like combining potato and maize fields.

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Difference in GIS

Identifying areas that belong to one layer but not the other, like potato fields not on clay.

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Complement in GIS

Finding areas that do not include designated features, such as fields that do not have potatoes.

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Buffer Zones

Spatial envelopes created around features to determine influence areas.

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Network Analytic Functions

Analyze characteristics of connected features, like roads or transport routes.

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Visibility Functions

Determine visible points from a location using digital terrain models.

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Raster calculus

A language used for operations on raster data.

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Neighbourhood analysis

Examining spatial areas around target locations to compute characteristics.

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Target locations

Specific points of interest in spatial analysis.

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Proximity computation

Using geometric distance to determine characteristics of neighbourhoods.

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Buffer zone generation

Creating an area around a target location within a specified distance.

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Spread computation

Determining neighbourhood based on direction and terrain factors.

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Source material

Elements like pollution or resources that spread from a target point.

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Terrain factors

Local geographical features influencing how characteristics spread.

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Measurement in GIS

In GIS, measurement refers to the functions that involve determining location, length, distance, and area size of spatial features.

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Neighbourhood Functions

Neighbourhood functions assess characteristics around a feature's location, evaluating nearby areas.

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Vector Data Primitives

The basic components of vector data include points, lines, and polygons, used to represent spatial features.

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Raster Data Measurements

Raster data measurements are based on equally sized cells; the area is calculated by counting cells and multiplying by cell size.

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Spatial Selection Queries

Spatial selection queries are used to select features based on geometric or attribute criteria when exploring a data set.

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Interactive Spatial Selection

Interactive spatial selection involves user-defined conditions by drawing or pointing to spatial objects on a display.

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Area Size Measurement in GIS

Area size measurement involves calculating the area of sections defined by various geometric shapes, such as polygons.

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Study Notes

Course Information

  • Course Title: Geographic Information Systems
  • Course Code: GL/MN 455
  • Lecturer: Prof Bernard Kumi-Boateng
  • Date: February 7, 2025
  • University: University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

Presentation Outline

  • Semester's Activities
    • Lectures
    • Assignments
    • Quizzes
  • Course Schedule
    • Weeks 1-10: Includes various tutorials on GIS and ArcGIS, data processing, spatial data analysis, data visualization, and catch-up sessions. Specific dates and topics listed in schedule.
    • Week 11, 12, 13, and 14: Includes catch-up sessions and first semester examinations.
  • Assessment of Course
    • Continuous Assessment [40%]
    • End of semester examination [60%]
    • Assessment of Lecturer: Online questionnaire at the end of course.
  • Course Syllabus
    • General Introduction of GIS
    • Databases in GIS
    • Introduction to GIS Analytical Tools
    • Topological Relationship in GIS
    • Performing Analysis in a GIS Environment
  • Source of Lecture Material
    • ITC text book series on Principles of GIS
  • Course Objectives
    • Design and Use Maps
    • Explain the elements of GIS Output
    • Work with Spatial Data
    • Be able to Digitize Maps
    • Apply Geo-processing techniques
    • Be able to use ArcGIS 3D Analyst
    • Be proficient in the use of ArcGIS Software
    • Be able to Design a GIS Project
  • Today's Lecture (Overview of GIS)
    • Lecture Objectives
    • Gentle Introduction to GIS
    • Fundamental Problem of GIS
    • Stages of Working with Geographic Data
    • Definition and Purpose of GIS
    • Representation of the Real World
    • GIS Application
  • Lecture Outline
    • Lecture Objectives
    • Gentle Introduction to GIS
    • Fundamental Problems of GIS
    • Stages of Working with Geographic Data
    • Definition and Purpose of GIS
    • Representation of the Real World
    • GIS Application

Further Topics

  • Geographic Space: Professionals work with data related to space, typically involving positional data relative to the Earth's surface. Positional data determines where things are, or were, or will be. Positional data of a non-geographic nature is not relevant to this course.
  • Geographic Phenomena: Defined as a manifestation of an entity or process of interest, nammable, geo-referenced and time assignable.
  • Representation of Phenomena: A geographic field, for every point, a value can be assigned. Examples include air temperature and elevation.
  • Geographic Fields:
    • Continuous fields: Example: elevation and temperature
    • Discrete fields: Example: soil type and land cover type
  • Geographic Objects: Characterized by Location, Shape, Size, and Orientation.
  • Spatial Data and Geo-Information: Data are representations that can be operated upon by a computer. Spatial Data contains positional values. Geo-spatial data is geo-referenced spatial data. Information, interpreted by humans, is used over data. Geo-information is interpreting spatial data.
  • GIS Defined: System to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographic data. Integration of cartography, statistical analysis, and computing science technology. A GIS creates and manipulates spatial areas digitally.
  • Purpose of GIS: Understanding our environment, land use planning, natural hazards, geological and hydrological processes..
  • Representation of the Real World: considered as a model of that part and can be used for what-if scenarios. A map or database. A spatial database may contain point, line, and area characteristics.
  • Computer Representations: Different models like raster and vector.
  • Organization of Spatial Data: spatial data layer as a fundamental concept. A data layer contains spatial data and attribute data (tabular form) which describes the field or objects.
  • The Temporal Dimension: Some geographic phenomena exhibit changes over time which is referred to as temporal characteristics and is an important aspect for many applications. Change detection is an area of work dedicated to this topic.
  • Scale and Resolution: Ratio between distance on map and terrain. Large scale denotes more detail, small scale lesser detail. Resolution is associated with cell width of tessellation in digital spatial data
  • GIS Applications: Cartography, Emergency Management, Environmental Sciences, Forestry Management, Homeland Security, Healthcare, Real Estate, Social Services, Transportation, Urban planning, Water Resources,
  • Mapping Various Datasets: Several examples of various maps are presented, including mapping of land use, major roads and towns, land surface temperature, malaria incidence, crop yield, poverty, and boundary disputes.
  • GIS Software Architecture and Functionality: Includes stages of spatial data handling like capturing, preparing, storage and maintenance, analysis, and presentation.
  • Data Validation and Data Quality: Ensuring the quality of spatial data is essential for data integrity. Key elements of dataset quality include completeness, logical consistency, positional and temporal accuracy, data validity.

Database Management Systems

  • Definition of a database: A collection of structured data. Database format.
  • Importance of keeping database up to date.
  • Database Management System (DBMS): Software package for setting up, maintaining databases. Multiple users. Data correctness, storage of very large data sets, and control of data redundancy.
  • Reasons for Using a DBMS: Support for large datasets, data correctness, support for concurrent use by multiple users, control over data redundancy, high-level declarative query language, data model support.
  • Relational Data Model : Structures to store data, integrity constraints (rules data must adhere to), computer programs to manipulate data. Structures defined as attributes, tuples, and relations. Attributes are named fields with assigned values. A tuple represents a single record in a table (relation).
  • Relational model elements: Relation, Tuples and attributes; including attributes domains.
  • Finding tuples and building links: Querying a database requires support for quick searches among numerous tuples, that's why the relational model uses the notion of key.

Spatial Data Analysis

  • Spatial Problem: Planning (e.g., dam location) and prediction (e.g., lake size) problems. Context includes construction, environmental, societal, and economic aspects.
  • Analytical Capabilities of GIS: Measurement, retrieval, and classification functions for data exploration. Overlay functions combine data layers to create new information by combining existing layers. Neighbourhood functions evaluate characteristics of an area surrounding a feature's location
  • Retrieval, Classification, and Measurement on vector data: Measurements on vector data include location, length, distance, and area size. Retrieving and classifying data in relation to size. A common method is to sum up area sizes of polygons belonging to a specified class (e.g., grade type).
  • Retrieval, Classification, and Measurement on raster data: The area size of a cell is constant.
  • Spatial Selection Queries: Selection based on geometric/spatial grounds and attribute data which describes associated characteristics.
  • Interactive Spatial Selection: Defining selection by pointing at spatial objects or drawing them on screen to select features and determine selection objects like points, lines and/or polygons.
  • Spatial selection by attribute conditions: Query expressions in SQL for selecting objects based on attributes (e.g., Area < 400,000 or LandUse = 80)
  • Combining attribute conditions: Using Boolean logic to combine multiple criteria for selection.
  • Spatial selection (topological relationships): Selecting features based on containment relationships (e.g., a polygon containing points or lines, a line containing points)
  • Further examples of Spatial Analysis: Classification techniques and applying them to various spatial data types.

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MN-GL 455 GIS Lecture Slides 2024 PDF

Description

This quiz covers the basics of Geographic Information Systems as introduced in the GL/MN 455 course. Key topics include remote sensing, spatial databases, and GIS functions like overlay and connectivity. Test your understanding of how GIS software integrates spatial and attribute data.

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