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Applications of Geographic Information Systems

Course developer

Prior knowledge

Ģeog5001, Geographic Information Systems

Course abstract

The study course aims to develop knowledge in practical applications of geographic information systems, which includes to make use of the most commonly applied analytical methods and tools as well as to provide the practical support in the analysis and visualization of data used in the master's thesis or other scientific activities. Student acquires a set of knowledge and skills that provide opportunities to create new geospatial information, search and download existing open access geospatial information, as well as to analyse and visualize geospatial information to achieve the objectives and tasks defined in the research work.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Upon the completion of this course students:
1. Knows and understands the methods and tools applied in analysis of geospatial information;
2. Can critically evaluate applications and services of geographic information systems, as well as to select and practically apply geospatial information, methods and tools used for analytics based on the defined tasks - formal test ;

3. Are able to utilize technologies of geographic information systems in chosen professional and research activities - formal test.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Data models in geographic information systems, sources of geospatial information in Latvia and abroad (2 h).
2. Application of ArcGIS Pro software and ArcGIS Online (2 h).
3. Hydrology and land reclamation – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
4. Land use – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
5. Digital elevation model of low resolution – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
6. Digital elevation model of high resolution – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
7. Soil – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
8. Specially protected nature territories – acquisition, processing and analysis of geospatial information (2 h).
9. Selection of geospatial information – Select By Attributes (2 h).
10. Selection of geospatial information – Select By Location (2 h).
11. Preparation and design of thematic maps (2 h).

12. Formal test – prepared thematic maps and explanatory information according to the selected research direction and topic (2 h).

Requirements for awarding credit points

Formal test with a grade.
The final report, which consists of thematic maps and explanatory information, must be prepared and submitted.
The content of the final report depends on the selected research direction and topic.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Student must independently compile the geospatial, descriptive, statistical and other information necessary for preparation of the final report according to the chosen research direction and topic. Students are responsible for self-controlled literature studies.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

At the end of the study course, the student receives a grade on the 10-point scale according to the performance demonstrated in the final report. The final grade upon completion of this study course will depend on the content and design of the final report by taking into account the complexity of obtaining geospatial information and analytical methods and tools applied in the final report.

Compulsory reading

1. Stūrmanis E. Ģeoinformācijas sistēmas. Jelgava: LLU/RTU, 2006. 90 lpp.
2. Mūsdienu Latvijas topogrāfiskās kartes. Autoru kolektīvs: A. Zelmanis ... u.c. Valsts zemes dienests. Rīga: Valsts zemes dienests, 2001. 203 lpp.
3. Vanags V. Fotogrammetrija. Mūsdienu Latvijas topogrāfiskās kartes. Rīga: Valsts zemes dienests, 2003. 275 lpp.
4. Bajjali W. ArcGIS for Environmental and Water Issues. Springer, 2018. 353 p.

5. Dixon B., Uddameri V. GIS and Geocomputation for Water Resource Science and Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, 2016. 545 p

Further reading

1. Drummond J., Billen R., João E., Forrest D. Dynamic and Mobile GIS. Investigating Changes in Space and Time. CRC Press, 2007. 328 p.

2. Bernhandsen T. Geographic information systems. Arendal, Norway: Norwegian Mapping Authority, 1992. 218 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. SIA Envirotech mājaslapa [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://www.gisbaltic.eu/lv-lv/home?lang=lv-lv
Komentārs: detalizētas norādes par apskatāmo informāciju un tās atrašanās vietām tiks sniegtas nodarbību laikā.
2. ESRI mājaslapa [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/2.8/tool-reference/spatial-analyst/an-overview-of-the-hydrology-tools.htm
Komentārs: detalizētas norādes par apskatāmo informāciju un tās atrašanās vietām tiks sniegtas nodarbību laikā.
3. Latvijas ģeotelpiskās informācijas aģentūras mājaslapa. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 02.03.2022.]. Pieejams: https://www.lgia.gov.lv/
Komentārs: detalizētas norādes par apskatāmo informāciju un tās atrašanās vietām tiks sniegtas nodarbību laikā.

Notes

Full-time studies of the academic master's study programme “Environmental, Water and Land Engineering”