Module WREM103

MODULE TITLE

LECTURER(S)

ECTS VALUE

PREREQUISITES

COREQUISITES

DURATION OF MODULE

TOTAL STUDENT STUDY TIME

Overall, the module is expected to involve students in approximately 200 hours of learning: 6 10-hour lectures; 58 hours assignments; 78 hours private study; 4-hour examination.

WEB LINK

AIMS

This module aims to provide a basic knowledge of tools for data analysis. It includes two sub-modules, geographical information systems, and probability and statistics. The module introduces geographic information systems, their main concepts, including inter alia, data models, geographic projections, spatial analysis and quality assurance. It further provides an introduction and hands-on tutorials for a leading, commercial, GIS software (ArcGIS by ESRI).

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Subject Specific Knowledge, Understanding and Skills

By the end of this module, the students should:

• understand the basics of geographic information systems, incl. projection, data models and data structures, spatial analysis and interpolation, catchment delineation as well as error and quality control for geographic information.
• be able to perform a range of data visualisation, querying, manipulation and analysis tasks within ArcGIS 9*, using ArcCatalog, ArcToolbox and ArcMap and the Spatial Analyst Extension.
• understand basics of uncertainty and apply probabilistic and statistical concepts to quantify it;
• extract probabilistic predictions and design quantities of engineering structures.

2.Core Academic Skills

By the end of this module, the students should:

• improve their general scientific background and their view of spatial information and its analysis;
• acquire practical experience in a state-of-art GIS software;
• improve their general scientific background and their view of the natural processes;
• be able to critically assess research results based on data analysis;
• have acquired some practical experience of using hydrological data and modelling tools;
• have acquired an understanding of the impact of solutions for civil engineering works in a global and societal context.

3. Personal and Key Skills

By the end of this module, the students should have:

• improved further the necessary skills for independent learning;
• enhanced report and presentation skills;
• enhanced using of spreadsheets and geographical information systems (GIS);
• acquired an ability to function in multi-national teams.

LEARNING/TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, self-evaluation quizzes.

ASSIGNMENTS

Two assessed coursework assignments (2,500 equivalent words each including graphs and tables).

ASSESSMENT

Examination paper (60%), Course work (40%)
3-hour examination - use of notes and book allowed
1 assignment on practical application of modelling tools (40%, 2,500 equivalent words, including graphs and tables)

SYLLABUS PLAN

1. Introduction to GIS and the ArcGIS software: What is a GIS? Who uses GIS and why? Key components of GIS and approaches to conceptualising it. Introduction to the GIS software to be used for hands-on tutorials: key aspects and components.
2. Data models and ArcGIS interfaces: Raster, Vector and TIN data models. Differences, uses and advantages/disadvantages for different data models. Overview of the main interfaces of ArcGIS; Introduction to ArcCatalog, ArcMap and ArcToolbox.
3. Map Projections: Ellipsoids, Spheroids and map projections. Coordinate systems; the GPS
4. Spatial Analysis: DEM/DTM/DSM, Spatial Interpolation in GIS (IDW, Spline and Kriging). Introduction to the Spatial Analyst Extension of ArcGIS.
5. Catchment Delineation and ArcHydro: The 8-pour point model; cell size and the thousand million rule; watershed and stream network delineation; Introduction to Water-specific tools within ArcGIS.
6. Advanced data structures and data types and Error and Quality Control in GIS: Geodatabases and spatio-temporal data models; sources of error in GIS, accuracy, measurement errors, locational errors; scale, resolution and accuracy.

INDICATIVE BASIC READING LIST

• Burrough, P.A. and McDonnell, R.A.,1998: Principles of Geographical Information Systems, 2nd Edition, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

EXTENDED READING LIST

• ESRI, 2004, ArcGIS 9 - Using ArcMap, ESRI Press , USA.

AUTHORS

1. Christos Makropoulos, Lecturer, NTUA