GIS and Remote Sensing Programme at the Mara Institute of
Technology, Malaysia
Course Structure
For the first two years, all the diploma students have to take common subjects. Only in the third year, the students specialized in their own selected courses. List of subjects for all the three diploma courses are given in Table 1. As shown in Table 1, GIS option Students have to take subjects such as Land Information Management, Geographical Information System, Remote Sensing, Urban and Regional option, students have to complete the following subjects: Cadastral Surveying, Introduction to Remote Sensing, Introduction to Image Processing, Introduction to GIS, Natural Resources Economics and Management, Land Use and Land Cover Mapping, Tropical Geomorphology, and Coastal and Marine Studies. Brief description of some of these subjects is given below.
Table 1 List of Subject for all the diploma courses
| First year |
| Ist Semester |
2nd Semester |
Foundation English 1
Computer Concept 1
Mathematics 1A
Physics
Introductory Surveying |
Foundation English 2
Computer Concept 2
Mathematics 2A
Engineering Surveying 1
Cadastral Surveying 1 |
| Second year |
| 3rd Semester |
4th Semester |
Intermediate English
Mathematics 3C
Field Astronomy
Survey Computation 1
Photogrammetry
Geodetic Surveying 1 |
Land Law and Regulation
Cadastral Surveying 2
Survey Computation 2
Engineering Surveying 2
Statistic and Probability
Cartography |
| Third year : (Optional Land Surveying |
| 5th Semester |
6th Semester |
Cadastral Surveying 3
Geodetic Surveying 2
Engineering Surveying 3
Statistic and Probability
Enterpreneural Studies |
Engineering Surveying (Field scheme)
Hydrographic Surveying (Field scheme)
Cadastral Surveying (Field scheme) |
| Third year : (Optional Natural Resource Management) |
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Introduction to Digital Image Processing
Introduction To Geographical Information Systems
Natural Resource Economics and Management
Enterpreneural Studies |
Land Use and Land Cover Mapping
Tropical Geomorphology
Special Project
Coastal and Marine Studies |
| Third year : (Option GIS) |
Land InformationManagement1
Geographical Information Systems 1
Urban and Regional Planning
Introduction to Remote Sensing
Computer Graphics
Database Management Systems |
Land Information Management II
Geographical Information Systems II
Special Project
Enterpreneural Studies |
Diploma in Surveying Science & Geomatics (option GIS)
Land Information Management
The first part of the subject introduces the basic principles the land management, data acquisition, multipurpose cadastral, institutional arrangement and applications of remotely sensed data to Land Information Management. The second part covers topics such as data management, hardware and software components, aspects of economics in LIS/GIS and applications.
Geographical Information system
The GIS subject includes both theory and applications: basic principles of GIS, data modeling, data acquisition and input, data editing, data manipulation and analysis, data output and presentation. To enhance the knowledge of GIS, the students have to carry out laboratory exercise using available GIS such as ARC/INFO, Arcview and MapInfo.
Urban and Regional Planning
This subjects deals with the principles and procedures in planning at various levels. This subject also involves the use GIS methods of various planning applications.
Remote Sensing
The subject introduces the basic principles of Remote Sensing such as basic physics, earth resource satellite, mapping techniques using Remote Sensing and data acquisition technique for GIS involving remotely sensed data.
Database Management Systems
This subject introduces the principles of database and database management systems with is vital to any GIS.
Diploma in Surveying Science & Geomatics (option Natural Resource)
Introducing to Remote Sensing
This subject deals with the basic physics of Remote Sensing, sensors and platforms, earth's resources satellite, weather satellite, introduction to radar Remote Sensing and atmospheric correction.
Introduction to Image Processing
This subject introduces the basic principles of digital image processing. It involves the manipulation and interpretation of digital images. The topics cover includes pre-processing, image classification, and accuracy assessment. To enhance the theoretical aspect of the subject, the students are exposed to image processing software such as Dragon IPS, PCI, Erdas Imagine and ER Mapper, which run on PCs or workstations.
Geographical Information Systems
This subject introduces the basic concept of GIS such as data structure, data acquisition, preprocessing, data management, data manipulation, and data analysis and data presentation.
Natural Resource Economics and Management
This subject covers topics such as the principles of economy, environmental and natural resource economics, and the principles of marketing and investment analysis.
Land Use and Land Cover Mapping
This subject introduces the students of the various land cover that could be identified using satellite data. Visual interpretation as well as computer-assisted interpretation will be used. The students are also exposed to the development of land cover maps necessary for the production of natural resources inventories.
Tropical Geomorphology
This subject deals with the introduction of various aspects of terrain characteristics which can be interpreted using aerial photograph and also satellite data. Topics related to the distribution of bedrock type, landforms, soil texture, site drainage conditions, depth of unconsolidated materials over bedrock in the tropical regions are covered in this subject.
Coastal and Marine Studies
This subject introduces students the complexity and dynamic changes of coastal environment and vegetation. It covers the study of erosion pattern, coastal changes, coastal resources monitoring etc. This subject will also concentrate on the near-shore resources like coral reef and fishing industry.
Most of the subjects in the GIS and Natural Resources courses are conducted through lectures, tutorials and practical. Continuous assessments are carried out through laboratory works, assignments, tests and quizzes. At the end of the semester students have to sit for the final examinations. To further enhance the understanding on the concept and the real world applications of Remote Sensing and GIS technology, the final year students have to undertake special projects related to Remote Sensing and GIS. These projects are currently under the department's supervision. Arrangements have also been to made to enable students to carry out special projects at various government organizations and private sectors in the future.
