DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2015/2016

FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SCIENCE AND
REMOTE SENSING

GGI 4102: GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Date: 2nd September 2015 TIME: 2.00pm – 5.00pm

INSTRUCTIONS: Attempt Question One and any other any three questions

Question One [30 marks]

(i) Differentiate between the organizational and the tool-box based definition of GIS.
(4 marks)
(ii) What do you understand by the terms ‘models’ and ‘data modelling’ as used in GIS?
(6 marks)
(iii) Briefly outline the components that make up a geographical information system
(20 marks)
Question Two [20 marks]
(i) Complemented by an appropriate diagram, briefly describe the capture and
processing of spatial data to build a raster database. (10 marks)
(ii) Briefly outline the various sources /causes of errors in spatial data that may affect
GIS analysis and its products. (10 marks)

Question Three [20 marks]

(i) Briefly outline the various categories into which GIS software can be classified based
on type and functionalities, giving at least two examples of software in each of the
category. (12 marks)
(iii) With the aid of an illustrative diagram, outline the four levels of abstraction involved
in representing the real world in the computer. (8 marks)

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Question Four [20 marks]

(i) Differentiate between the “entity” and the “field” conceptual data models of
geographic space. (6 marks)
(ii) Briefly describe the two broad categories of data models used in representing spatial
data in GIS. (12 marks)
(iii) Briefly differentiate between the terms “band interleaved by line” and “band
interleaved by pixel” as used in raster data structures. (2 marks)

Question Five [20 marks]

(i) Outline the essential elements that are required to manage a mature geographic
information system in an organisation after the initial implementation activities.
(8 marks)
(ii) With the aid of diagram(s), describe the following methods of storing raster data,
giving the advantages and disadvantages of each.
(a) Chain codes
(b) Run-length codes (12 marks)

Question Six [20 marks]

(i) What do you understand by the terms

(a) Buffering
(b) Classification (5 marks)
(ii) In vector data structures, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the
topological data structure? (5 marks)
(iii) Discuss the concept of “ethics” as it applies to the use of GIS and other spatial
technologies. (10 marks)

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