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Textbooks

(last updated 27 September 2010)

From the start of term, to supplement the curriculum, we recommend that you have access to at least one of these three textbooks:

  • Chang, K.-T. (2005) Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3rd edition, paperback).  Boston:  McGraw-Hill.  ISBN:  007124428X. Synopsis:  good technical text (US based).
  • **UPDATED**Longley, P.A., et. al (2010) (3rd Edition), Geographic Information Systems and Science (Chichester: John Wiley and Sons Ltd). ISBN: 9780470721445 .  Synopsis:  good general text (UK based).  If you have already purchased the 2005 2nd edition, that is fine too.. 
  • Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and S. Carver (2006) (3rd Edition), An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (Prentice-Hall).  ISBN:  0131293176. Synopsis:  good general text (Australian based).

Depending on your area(s) of interest, or perhaps your weakness(es), consider the following optional books (we may add more books closer to the start of term):

  • Chang, K-T, 2005, (Har/cdr Edition) Programming ArcObjects with VBA: A Task-Oriented Approach (CRC Press Inc).  ISBN:  0849327814.  Synopsis: technical, demonstrates how to implement common GIS tasks (e.g. dataset management, data conversion and vector and raster data analysis). For those wishing to acquire spatial programming/customization skills.
  • Skidmore A, 2002, Environmental Modelling With GIS and Remote Sensing (London: Taylor and Francis). ISBN: 0415241707. Synopsis: Focus on applications of remote sensing and GIS in environmental modelling and assessment, sets out current research results, provides operational methods for environmental mapping and monitoring.
  • Wise S, 2002, GIS Basics (London: Taylor and Francis). ISBN 0415246512. Synopsis: technical, demonstrates how to implement GIS processes. For those wishing to acquire spatial programming skills.
  • **UPDATED**Jensen, JR, 2010, Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective. ISBN: 184860002X. Synopsis: with an earth resources perspective, introduces the fundamental principles of remote sensing. Emphasis on manual visual image analysis of remote sensor data, using introductory photogrammetric techniques.  If you already have the previous edition, that is fine too.
  • Rogerson PA, 2000, Statistical Methods for Geography (London:  Sage). ISBN: 0761962883. Synopsis: systematic introduction to the essential techniques to complete a module in statistical analysis. Provides an integrated overview of spatial data and spatial data analysis.
Main office: Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX; tel: 020 7631 6531; fax: +44 (0) 20 7631 6498; email: geds@bbk.ac.uk