This course deals with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and their applications in urban studies, public management, and environment planning contexts. It recognises that major developments have occurred across these areas that are important for careers in government, planning, business, public works and other types of organisations. The course focuses on the principles and concepts of GIS and spatial data analysis to provide students with the conceptual and practical skills and knowledge to utilise relevant technical tools for data analysis, spatial mapping and data visualisation. The course will teach students how to access meta-databases (AURIN) and use open source GIS software. Through the learning of this software students will begin to see the connection between concepts-data-tools-visualisation. Students will develop a suitable level of proficiency in the application of the technology to an array of spatial problems. General topics include a solid understanding of the importance of spatial data and data layers, components and functions of GIS, and of types of spatial data models and databases, their entry, analysis, manipulation and display into a GIS.