212-205 Environmental Infomatics

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

212-105 Science and Communication

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

On successful completion, you will be able to identify, use and, if necessary, develop appropriate software applications for analysis, problem-solving, communication and knowledge integration in environmental studies. In addition, you will gain an appreciation of the impact of information technology on rural industries concerned with land management and the importance of tailoring computer systems to the needs of users. You will understand the basis of choosing appropriate IT solutions to solve environmental management problems, the mathematical methods underlying software applications, the process of IT acquisition and the principles of meeting users' requirements in applications development. You will develop skills in spreadsheet modelling, simulation, geographic information systems and applications development. You will appreciate the importance of the human-computer interface, the application of automated data acquisition and remote sensing, image processing, neural networks, video conferencing, disaster recovery planning, virtual reality, computer-aided learning and the necessity for ongoing study of IT developments to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental studies and management.

Assessment

A 2-hour end-of-semester examination and practical assignments.

Prescribed Texts

• Stephenson, N, Snow Crash. Penguin, London 1992.
• Negroponte, N, Being Digital. Knopf, New York 1995.