GES3610

Geographic information systems (GIS) for geodemographic, marketing and local government applications

Associate Professor J.A.Peterson

6 points
* 3 hours per week on average (2 lectures, and 1 lecture and a 3-hour practical in alternate weeks)
* Second semester
* Clayton

Objectives. To introduce students to the theory, utility, and growing potential of spatial analysis using digital spatial data bases with GIS for social science applications.

Synopsis This subject refers to a body of knowledge (spatial analysis) that until recently has been of limited use because, for most `real-world' applications, the necessarily data-intensive activities involved in data acquisition, handling and analysis were limited by fundamental shortcomings in technique. Recent advances in computer science and engineering have enabled this gap between theory to practise to be closed. The result is a transition from analogue to digital data handling and the proliferation of data bases with geocodes such that GIS must soon become part of the training of geographers (and many other social scientists) and environmental scientists. In this subject the focus is on geocoded data bases that refer to the spatial heterogeniety in the social environment (eg census data for people and housing and local government facilities in the public sector and for marketing in the private sector). The GIS to be used in practical classes offers wide functionality and is typical of tools that will be encountered in the workplace. Issues of data quality, time series compatibility, statistical mapping and spatial analysis will be examined in theory, and applied in practical work.

Assessment Written (2500-word) assignment: 25%
* Practical exam plus practical exercises: 50%
* Unseen written theory exam: 25%

Prescribed texts

Martin D Geographic information systems: Socioeconomic applications Routledge, 1995

Recommended texts

Davis B GIS: a visual approach Onward Press, 1996
Chrisman N Exploring geographic information systems Wiley, 1996
Langran G Time in GIS Tailor and Frances, 1993
Beaumont J An introduction to geodemographic analysis Catmog monograph, 1992
Huxhold W E An introduction to urban geographic information systems OUP, 1991