April 18, 2023April 18, 2023

THE COURSE

• Mapping and Surveying• Geographical Information Systems• Importance of Data• Global Positioning Systems• Remote Sensing• Independent Study Project

GEOMATICS

The term GEOMATICS originated in Canada The term GEOMATICS originated in Canada

Geomatics is the science and technology of Geomatics is the science and technology of gathering, analyzing, interpreting, distributing and gathering, analyzing, interpreting, distributing and using geographic information - data. Geomatics using geographic information - data. Geomatics encompasses a broad range of disciplines that can be encompasses a broad range of disciplines that can be brought together to create a detailed but brought together to create a detailed but understandable picture of the physical world and our understandable picture of the physical world and our place in it. These disciplines include: place in it. These disciplines include:

–Mapping and SurveyingMapping and Surveying–Geographic Information Systems (GIS)Geographic Information Systems (GIS)–Global Positioning System (GPS)Global Positioning System (GPS)–Remote SensingRemote Sensing

Canada’s Role In GeomaticsCanada’s Role In Geomatics

Canada exports ~ $300 million worth of geomatics Canada exports ~ $300 million worth of geomatics products and services.products and services.

Growth rate of 15 to 20 per cent per year. Growth rate of 15 to 20 per cent per year.

Demand for GIS products and services is expected Demand for GIS products and services is expected to exceed $10 billion per year.to exceed $10 billion per year.

Geomatics is one of the fastest-growing technology Geomatics is one of the fastest-growing technology sectors and Canada is a recognized leader, both in its sectors and Canada is a recognized leader, both in its development and in the provision of Geomatics development and in the provision of Geomatics software, hardware and value-added services.software, hardware and value-added services.

FIND OUT ABOUT THE FIND OUT ABOUT THE FATHER OF GIS!FATHER OF GIS!

Before you learn about the technologies used to represent Before you learn about the technologies used to represent the world around us, you need to have an understanding of the world around us, you need to have an understanding of the fundamentals of mapping.the fundamentals of mapping.

Everything in the world around us can be represented Everything in the world around us can be represented spatially on a map. A map is, however, a flat surface spatially on a map. A map is, however, a flat surface representing our earth which is spherical.representing our earth which is spherical.

You will learn the important components of a map, map You will learn the important components of a map, map projections, different types of maps, reading topographic projections, different types of maps, reading topographic maps, coordinate systems, and more.maps, coordinate systems, and more.

You will determine how to represent a theme effectively You will determine how to represent a theme effectively using various mapping strategies. Ie. charts vs. color vs. using various mapping strategies. Ie. charts vs. color vs. symbols. symbols.

Mapping

MapsMaps

Geographic Information Geographic Information SystemsSystems

GIS takes mapping to a new level. You are no longer bound by GIS takes mapping to a new level. You are no longer bound by the paper map and its draw backs. With GIS you are able to the paper map and its draw backs. With GIS you are able to create a map but also add an abundance of data in a database create a map but also add an abundance of data in a database about locations on the map. 3D imaging is also becoming about locations on the map. 3D imaging is also becoming popular.popular.

GIS is about using data to describe our world in two ways:GIS is about using data to describe our world in two ways:– Location Data - Where is it?Location Data - Where is it?– Attribute Data - What is it?Attribute Data - What is it?

GIS allows you to ask the map questions (queries) and GIS allows you to ask the map questions (queries) and analyze spatial data.analyze spatial data.

You will be learning how to use GIS to help analyze and solve You will be learning how to use GIS to help analyze and solve both physical and human geographical issues. both physical and human geographical issues.

Analysing Geographic Data

• What are the effects of Global Warming?

Land cover and temperature relationships are made clear when the data are seen at once using Geotechnology.

Analysing Geographic Data

• Is it safe to dig here?

A proposed excavation, identified by address, is compared to pipelines in the area using Geotechnology.

Analysing Geographic Data

• What Communities are at risk from Disease?

Geotechnology identifies communities at risk of River Blindness and helps determine the impact of treatment.

Geographic DataThrough this course, you will begin to understand the Through this course, you will begin to understand the importance of geographic data quality, accuracy and importance of geographic data quality, accuracy and attainability. attainability. Without digital data, GIS analysis cannot be performed.Without digital data, GIS analysis cannot be performed.Data can come in many forms:Data can come in many forms:

Attribute data: surveys, census data, data you collect, Attribute data: surveys, census data, data you collect, government data, etc.government data, etc.

BUT you need to be able to map this data…BUT you need to be able to map this data…Locational data: street networks, aerial photos, satellite images, Locational data: street networks, aerial photos, satellite images, digitized and georeferenced maps, etc.digitized and georeferenced maps, etc.

ALL digital data will have an element of error. The question is, ALL digital data will have an element of error. The question is, how much error? Accuracy is always a concern as well as cost, how much error? Accuracy is always a concern as well as cost, and availability. Where are you getting your data from?and availability. Where are you getting your data from?

Global Positioning Systems

• GPS is a revolutionary navigation System– You will learn about the

various GPS satellites and how they provide locational accuracy

– You will use GPS to collect data through a local field study.

Remote Sensing

Remotely sensed imagery is another element of Remotely sensed imagery is another element of geotechnologies. This includes all data gathered from a remote geotechnologies. This includes all data gathered from a remote location, ie. an airplane or satellite.location, ie. an airplane or satellite.

There are many things to understand when dealing with There are many things to understand when dealing with remotely sensed data or imagery. The main difference is that remotely sensed data or imagery. The main difference is that this is raster data (you will learn more about this).this is raster data (you will learn more about this).

You will learn about the various satellites being used to map You will learn about the various satellites being used to map the earth, the way the data is retrieved and processed, as well the earth, the way the data is retrieved and processed, as well as how to analyse this data.as how to analyse this data. This data is used for many things because the satellites can This data is used for many things because the satellites can “see” things that we cannot see with our own eyes…“see” things that we cannot see with our own eyes…

Remote Sensing

LANDSATLANDSAT

RADARSATRADARSAT

NOAANOAA

ERSERS

SPOTSPOT

Independent Study Project

Your independent project is an integral part of this course. It will Your independent project is an integral part of this course. It will allow you to use all of your skills in research and geotechnologies allow you to use all of your skills in research and geotechnologies to address a geographical concern. You have lots to chose from, to address a geographical concern. You have lots to chose from, so I would suggest thinking about a topic you enjoy or know lots so I would suggest thinking about a topic you enjoy or know lots about. about.

What do you like? Human, physical, environmental geography?Is there information on this topic?Is there digital data? How much do you have to create?Is there someone you know in the field?Is there a concern that you can address and analyze using GIS?Can you include some of your own data?Start thinking about your interests and talk to me! I can help you in determining if your idea is “doable” using GIS.

Conclusion

This course is intended to be very hands on, This course is intended to be very hands on, most of the work will be done in class…most of the work will be done in class…

unless, of course, you are not keeping up unless, of course, you are not keeping up with the class work. with the class work.

The most important part is toThe most important part is toHAVE FUN in this course!HAVE FUN in this course!

The End!