REGIONAL CENTRE FOR TRAINING IN AEROSPACE SURVEYS (RECTAS) Department of Geographic Information Science Curriculum for Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (M.Sc. GIS) October 2014
The programme The M.SC in Geographic Information Science is offered by the Department of Geographic Information Science, Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS) Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The duration is 3 semesters of 17 weeks each within 18 months. Programme Philosophy The Master s degree programme in in Geographic Information Science (M.Sc. GIS) is designed to train highly skilled manpower in the science and technology of geospatial information. The Programme is designed to extend the frontiers of education and scientific research in Geographic Information System (GIS) with a view to increasing the benefits derived from the technology in various disciplines. In addition, the Programme is expected to provide opportunity for networking among several countries who are member States of RECTAS in particular and other nations in general. The graduates of the programme will fit into the critical areas of their country s economy. Programme Objectives The objectives of the Programme are to: a. provide theoretical and practical training in Geoinformatics and applications; b. produce high grade professional experts/scientists in Geoinformation science; c. enhance capacity and capability for research development and application of Geographic Information technologies; d. equip graduates of various disciplines with adequate technical capability in Geoinformation science applications; e. provide opportunities for result-oriented research in Geographic Information System (GIS), relevant to the country s needs of the participant; f. disseminate to the public the results of research and facilitate the practical application of these results; and g. collaborate with national and international agencies in the areas of applying GIS to tackle relevant problems. 2
Justification for the Programme Geoinformation Technology is an emerging area of specialization that is required in the identification, assessment and management of land and natural resources. Therefore there is the need have access to such knowledge in order to use it in developing and managing the abundant resources available to African countries. In particular, land is a fundamental resource for all human uses desiring proper management for a sustained productivity; and this has been the source of many feuds in Africa. Proper understanding of the availability and disposition of natural resources (including renewable and non-renewable energy resources such as oil and natural gas) can be achieved through Geoinformation Technology; hence it will enhance their exploitation for the economic benefit of the nation s citizens, and with adequate consideration for the environment. Secondly, natural and man-induced disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and tsunamis have been known to wreak havoc on human habitation, particularly in Africa where there is paucity of knowledge in strategies for their management. Injudicious oil and mineral exploitation, uncontrolled deforestation with the attendant climate change effects of ozone depletion, global warming and other atmospheric issues are challenges facing the world. Therefore, an understanding of such occurrences and their spatial distribution will enable proper management of their manifestations and post-occurrence activities with minimal effects on the population. Finally, any nation s integrity borders on its capabilities in crime prevention and maintenance of peace and security within the country. Therefore, police and military intelligence gathering through Geoinformation Technology are essential in this regard, hence the need to equip their personnel through their exposure to this programme. Admission Requirements Candidates with any of the following qualifications are eligible for admission into the M.Sc. programme: a) RECTAS Professional Master s degree in GIS, or equivalent, in Geoinformation Science and Production Management with minimum average score of 70%; b) a first degree not below Second Class Honours (Lower Division) or a higher degree in Sciences and Engineering, or related disciplines from any recognized university. Programme Duration The programme is Full Time, and the duration is minimum of 18 months (3 semesters) and maximum of 24 months (4 semesters). 3
Graduation Requirements To be eligible for the award of M.Sc. GIS degree, students must have: a) scored a minimum of 50% in all registered courses in the Programme; b) registered and passed a minimum of one (1) elective course per semester; c) passed a minimum of three (3) elective course in all; d) accumulated at least 51 course units; e) successfully presented at least two thesis project seminars: proposal and post field seminars; f) fulfilled all other conditions prescribed by the Academic of Board; and g) successfully completed and defended a research thesis in an oral examination. 4
Course Outline 1 ST semester Course Code Course Title Contact Hours Credit Lecture Practical Total Contact Hour GIS 811 Fundamentals of GIS 3 2 3 5 PRS 811 Fundamentals of Remote Sensing 3 2 3 5 CAR 811 Fundamentals of Cartography 3 2 3 5 GIS 812 Spatial Databases and Analysis 3 2 3 5 GIS 813 Quantitative techniques for Geospatial Sciences 3 2 3 5 Select at least Two (2) electives from the following (6 Units) GIS 814 GIS in Environmental Management 3 2 3 5 GIS 815 Disaster and emergency management 3 2 3 5 GIS 816 Soil and agricultural resources analysis and management 3 2 3 5 GIS817 Demography and Social Development 3 2 3 5 Total Units 21 2 nd Semester Course Code Contact Hours Total Contact Hours Course Title Credit Unit Lecture Practical GIS 821 Programming in GIS 3 2 3 5 GIS 823 Research Methodology 3 2 3 5 GIS 824 Contemporary Issues in GIS 3 2 3 5 PRS 821 Digital Image Processing and 3 2 3 5 Analysis GIS 822 Geodata Analysis and Modelling 3 2 3 5 CAR 821 Digital Cartographic Production 3 2 3 5 and Web Mapping Select at least One (1) Electives from the following (3 credit units) GIS 825 Hydrology and Water Resources Management 3 2 3 5 GIS 826 GIS 827 Urban systems analysis, planning and management 3 2 3 5 GIS in Meteorology and Climate Change 3 2 3 5 Total Units 21 5
3 rd Semester Course Course Title Contact Hours Total Code Credit Lecture Practical Contact Units Hours GIS 822 Course Seminar 3 GIS 841 Research Thesis 6 Total 9 GRAND TOTAL UNITS 51 Course Description Compulsory course GIS 811: Fundamentals of GIS (3 units) Introduction to GIS, Definition, overview, history and concepts of GIS, scope, purpose and benefits of GIS; GIS versus generalised information system; components of GIS; GIS subsystems; basic models of space; basic components of spatial objects; Review of spatial data models (2D, 2.5D, 3D and 4D data models); characteristics and sources of geographical data, GIS data structures; GIS modelling; decision support systems; overview of GIS applications; data manipulation and analysis; GIS outputs; hardware and software for GIS implementation; PRS 811: Fundamentals of Remote Sensing (3 units) Overview and concepts of Remote Sensing technology, basics of remote sensing and photogrammetry, practical uses of aerial photographs/satellite images in various disciplines, characteristics of electromagnetic radiation, interaction of radiation with matter refraction, absorption, diffusion, emission, concepts of spectral resolution and detection, Remote Sensing platforms, Satellite System and sensors, active and passive sensing systems, visual-digital interpretation, overview of RS Applications, Introduction to RS image processing. Image enhancement, geometric correction and RS Image classification CAR 811 Fundamentals of Cartography (3 units) Concepts of cartography, history of Cartography, symbolization and map design, and methods for geographic visualization and display. Geographic coordinates, Plane coordinates, geometric distortions; Figure of the Earth; Map projections; design of multi-dimensional and multivariate visual representations; Manual digitizing and Raster scanning; generalization; visualization of surfaces, symbolization and classification; representation of graphic and dynamic variables; 6
Components of a cartographic image; Map cosmetics, cartographic annotation and production; Resolution, Scale and Metafiles; Coordinate conversion (vector and raster conversion). GIS 812: Spatial Databases and Analysis (3 units) An overview of database concepts; File systems and databases; components of spatial database; Conceptual, logical and physical design phases; Database modelling (Spatial objects, Raster and Vector spatial data models, Attribute data, Spatial attributes, Non-spatial attributes, Attribute tables, Relational model); Database querying, Design concepts and implementation; Entity relationship modelling; Introduction to transaction management and concurrency control; Distributed database management systems; Database privacy, security, failure and recovery; Database normalization; Cardinality and integrity constraints. GIS 813: Quantitative techniques for Geospatial Sciences (3 units) Statistics and its application in the research process; Descriptive statistics; Summary statistics of bivariate data; correlation; Spearman s rank correlation; Probability; Binomial distribution; Population distributions, probability density functions; Inferential statistics; Analysis of variance (ANOVA); Introduction to matrices. Regression analysis; geostatistical modeling, terrain analysis, spatial prediction and risk analysis, spatial sampling and monitoring network design etc., Interfaces between geo-statistics and GIS, integration of geostatistics and GIS, mutual benefits, statistical problems of error propagation and uncertainty in GIS; Graph theory GIS 821: Programming in GIS (3 units) This module will provide students with the foundations to manipulate digital data and carry out computations using programs and scripts. It provides an introduction to fundamental programming principles including data processing and input and output. It utilizes a number of current scripting tools, languages and packages that are essential to the spatial scientist including Python and Matlab. Algorithm; Flow charting; Arrays; Python syntax and tools; Data types and calculations; Conditional statements and branching; Loops and repetition; Data in lists; File input and output; Libraries and scripts; Matlab introduction; Matlab processing and analysis; Scripting in GIS & ArcScripting and Statistical processing in R. 7
GIS 822: Course Seminar (3 units) The student will write and give seminar on a proposed independent research earlier allocated at the student s discretion, and in any aspect of the programme. This should contain the steps to be followed in data gathering, analyses, interpretation and presentation of the study. Assessment shall be based on the depth of comprehension of the subject matter exhibited by the student, and the clarity in presentation with adequate and relevant illustrations. GIS 823: Research Methodology (3 units) This course introduces student to the field of research. It examines in depth the research process and introduces student to the various aspects of doing research, providing practical advice and insight in the field. Steps to scientific explanation (Problem statement, conceptual framework, research methods). Topics includes: What is a scientific research?; Formulating research problems, objectives and questions; Research methods (Descriptive, Analytical, Experimental, Evaluation, Forecasting and Design); Finding and evaluating data (Literature review in research, Types and sources of information, How to search); Citations and Referencing (Types ); Reporting and discussing results (Technical writing, Graphical presentation in a thesis, Conformance to specifications -RECTAS thesis specifications); Ethical issues in research GIS 824: Contemporary Issues in GIS (3 units) Past, present and future trends in GIS technology; Institutional challenges and opportunities; Resource sectors and Agencies; Data providers (remote sensing and GIS); career opportunities and considerations; certification and licensing of GIS data; Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) and consideration for implementation in Nigeria; Basic issues in developing a Clearing house. GIS in political science, election results analyses, governance and other allied activities; Ethics and norms in GIS practice. GIS 822: Geodata Analysis and Modelling Basic geostatistical components for spatial analysis, proximity analysis, connectivity analysis, diffusion modeling, establishment of objectives and criteria for analysis, data preparation for spatial operations, evaluation and interpretation of results. Raster-based cartographic modeling. Buffer analyssi, fussy analysis, netwrok analysis e.t.c 2D/3D Spatial Models- spatial operators & their use- geometadata-open GIS standards (GML) e.t.c.data management technology of SDI context 8
PRS 821: Digital Image Processing and Analysis (3 units) Ground data for digital image processing. Elements of digital image processing and preprocessing: radiometric, geometric and atmospheric corrections. Image enhancement techniques: histograms, contrast, stretching, transfer functions, histogram equalization, histogram specifications. Filtering: low- and high-pass filters, ideal filter, Butterworth filter, exponential filter, trapezoidal filter etc., smoothing. Classification techniques: spectral distances, probabilities, error analysis, clustering, training areas, sampling methods, extrapolation; per-pixel classifier, Maximum likelihood (MXL)/Bayesian/parallelepiped etc., classifiers, object oriented classifier, Neural Networks (NN), textural, fractals. Accuracy assessment and error analysis. Image fusion techniques. Image segmentation and feature extraction techniques: knowledge-based techniques, artificial intelligence, fuzzy image concepts. Image transforms and wavelets. Stereo image processing techniques. High-resolution image analysis techniques. Principles of analysis of SAR data, SAR interferometry and differential-interferometric synthetic aperture radar (INSAR) techniques. Processing hyper-spectral, polarimetric, ALTM and other types of data. CAR 821: Digital Cartographic Production and Web Mapping (3 units) Cartographic Design, Multiscale database and Cartographic Generalization. Principles and Practice of Web Cartography. Representation of Topographic and Thematic Information; Web application development (Web design-xml-gml-svg-databases + web mapping GIS 841: Research Thesis (6 units) Independent research will be carried out by students with guidance from one or two supervisors. Topics are chosen at the discretion of the student but must be approved by the Supervisor/Head of Department. The research will be an investigation of topical GIS issue or application of GIS solution to a problem. Elective courses GIS 814: GIS in Environmental Management (3 units) The nature of man-environment interaction; impacts of anthropogenic activities on the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere; positive and negative feedback of human interference with the environment; Environmental impact assessment; systems for environmental management; quantitative techniques for environmental management; environmental problems and sustainability; Ecological management and Environmental change; risk analysis and environmental hazards; waste generation and management; vector and raster analysis in 9
environmental analysis; Habitat and biodiversity management; The role of environmental management in society and the role of governments. GIS 815: GIS in Disaster and emergency management (3 units) The concept of disaster; natural and man-made disasters; concepts and models of environmental hazards, hazard prediction and risk perception in disaster management, disaster theory, risk management, policy issues and dimensions in disaster management; remote sensing and GIS in hazard mapping, assessment and mitigation; Early warning systems (mapping of flood, erosion, deforestation and earthquake vulnerability); Vector and raster analysis in disaster management. GIS 816: Soil and agricultural resources analysis and management (3 units) Nature of soil, sources and nature of plant nutrients, plant-soil system, problems of soil quality management and control, inadequate plant nutrition, mechanisms of nutrient availability and uptake by plants, role of soil organic matter and clay, chemistry of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil; causes of soil degradation; principle of soil resource management; soil classification systems; land evaluation with emphasis on land suitability and capability classification; world food problems; types of agriculture challenges; GIS solutions to agricultural problems; controlling agricultural pests; irrigation system management, GIS in agricultural planning and development, GIS and precision farming. GIS 817: Demography and Social Development (3 units) Population growth and sustainability; impacts of rapid population growth on various aspects of social development e.g. health, gender, education, migration and conflict. Distribution, availability and access to social services; overview of GIS in social development planning and implementation; public health issues; current trend and future directions of GIS technology in public health; global health and society; social/spatial demography and statistics; Hippocratic concept of health and diseases; epidemiological principles, methods and concepts in medical geography; geocode in public health data; mapping of epidemics and disease risk prediction; GIS and spatial analysis and modeling of health and social issues. GIS 825: Hydrology and Water Resources Management (3 units) Hydrogeological environments; Aquifers, aquicludes and their properties; Soil moisture, River courses, Flood plains and Wetlands; Water quality assessment: turbidity and temperature; water pollution; water resources problems and management; watershed analysis; coastal erosion and 10
coastal zone management, environmental hydrology, surface hydrology, groundwater recharge, and ground water assessment and modelling, management of water use and reuse GIS 826: Urban systems analysis, planning and management The concept of Urban system; Contemporary themes in urban planning and management; principles of urban and regional planning; tools and methods of urban planning; application of geo-information technology for understanding the nature and dynamics of urban regions; urban poverty, land use and urban sprawl; planned versus unplanned development; infrastructure, transport and service provision; crime and security issues in urban planning; use of GIS to manage urban environmental hazards, pollution and solid waste; conceptual modelling and problem analysis; observation and measurement of urban themes and processes; visualization and communication. GIS 827: GIS in Meteorology and Climate Change The Atmosphere and Climate; Air quality studies; Aerosol optical measurements; Global atmospheric issues and changes, including atmospheric pollution; Global Warming; Ozone Depletion in the Stratosphere; Air emissions modeling; raster and vector analysis in climate issues; dynamics of the atmosphere and climate change; structure and climatology of tropical systems, climate change/variability and early warning systems; deforestation and climate change. Grading: a. Examination 70% Continuous assessment 30% Score Grade point b. A 70% and above 5 B 65% - 69% 4 C 60% - 64% 3 D 55% - 59% 2 E 50% - 54% 1 F 0% - 49% 0 11