GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

(BCIS: Elective)

Unit I: Introduction and orientation to geographic world issues 4 Hours

Course overview; teaching philosophy; logistic, Nature of geographic phenomenon; asking
spatial questions. Human cognitive aspect of geographic world

Unit II: Introduction to Geographic Information System 4 hours

Definition and functional components of GIS, Evolution of GIS in relation to computational and
communication technology, GIS application areas

Unit III: Geospatial Web 2.0 (i.e. GeoWeb) 9 Hours

Introduction to Geospatial Web 2.0, Navigating Geospatial Web 2.0 communities and tools,
Geographic information mash-up, Geospatial Web 2.0 and its societal applications, Challenges
and opportunities of Geospatial Web 2.0

Unit IV: Fundamental concepts for GIS 9 Hours

Modeling and representing geographic situation, GIS database design, Vector data model, Raster
data model, Reference systems, Map and map scale, Spatial analysis and visualization

Unit V: Data acquisition techniques 12 Hours

Introduction to primary and secondary spatial data capture techniques, Concepts of ground
survey, Global positioning system (GPS), Overview of Remote sensing and its applications,
Elements of remote sensing, Electromagnetic spectrum, Spectral reflectance characteristics,
Satellite orbits , Satellite image resolutions, Major remote sensing systems and products

Unit VI: Spatial Data Infrastructure 4 Hours

Conceptual overview, GI standards and interoperability, Initiative in Nepal and its status

Unit VII: Planning, building and managing GIS 6 Hours

Identifying and preparing data source, Data capture and storage, Practical issues related to GIS
implementation, Socio-technical view of GIS

Text Book
 C.P. Lo and Albert K.W. Yeung Concepts and Techniques of Geographic Information
Systems
References
 K. T. Chang Introduction to Geographic Information System

 Modelling our world: the ESRI guide to geodatabase design, ESRI, California

SDI Cookbook http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/