Faculty of Arts

Undergraduate - Unit


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6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL


FacultyFaculty of Arts
OfferedSouth Africa Second semester 2014 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Mr Marshall Mdoka


The unit introduces GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and discusses basic principles, techniques and applications of GIS in the field of geography and environmental science. It examines and reviews specific applications where GIS is a useful tool. Subjects covered include basics of GIS, spatial data sources, spatial data quality, spatial data analysis and decision support systems. It also includes the basic principles of remote sensing and the use of satellite imagery. Cases studies and hands-on practices allow students to gain experience in the use of GIS.


At the end of the unit students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate the utility of digital spatial data handling for mapping and analysis from digital data, referring to themes in environmental science;
  2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the key concepts concerning the application of GIS to environmental problems
  3. Explain how value can be added to the data in any information management system with geocodes, by implementing digital spatial data analysis;
  4. Be able to assess the nature of digital spatial data, offer tests for validation and descriptions of the relative value of data sets compared with (raw) data supplied by custodians;
  5. Demonstrate a high level of skills in the use of GIS software (Quantum GIS, Ilwis, ArcGIS) to solve environmental problems;
  6. Develop your own environmental applications of GIS ;
  7. Explain how digital spatial data handling is different from other digital data handling challenges, and how the theory on which it is based is central to spatial data handling for environmental science.


1. Practical: (30%)
2. Class test: (20%)
3. Essay assignment: 2000 words (10%)
4. Examination: (40%)

Chief examiner(s)

Workload requirements

One 2-hour lecture per week
One 2-hour practical per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study


First year sequence in Geography and environmental science, or first year sequence in Criminology and criminal justice.


ATS2259, ATS3259, AZA3259