Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

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Co Requisite Comment

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Aims

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enabling students to:

To understand the fundamental concepts of a GIS and its uses and applications.
To gain hands-on experience of using a GIS to solve real-world problems.
To appreciate the GI Science behind the GI System, including theoretical approaches to representing and analysis geospatial data.

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture content covers a range of introductory topics, including defining what GIS is, who uses it, why they use it, what they can do with it, and what is special about working with geospatial data. Students will be introduced to GIS data models for spatial data (e.g. discrete vs continuous data), the process of thematic mapping (types of thematic maps, uses of thematic maps, classification models for thematic maps), working with continuous data (e.g. sampling and interpolation, elevation data) and vector data (e.g. geometric primitives, attributes and databases) representations of the world in GIS, data formats and data providers (including topics such as standards, common formats, data providers), processing and modelling in GIS, visualisation, cartographic design and output from GIS.

Practical sessions are used to apply the theoretical concepts taught in lectures, including getting started in ArcGIS Pro software, accessing spatial data, cartographic basics, introductory spatial analysis (raster analysis, interpolation, reclassification, Multi-Criteria Evaluation), working with 3D data, and creating new spatial data.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

This module introduces students to Geographical Information Systems, the concepts behind them, and associated data types and formats. The module will give students an understanding of the way in which GIS uses a wide range of data to undertake spatial analysis and produce visual outputs (M3)*. It will allow students to apply GIS to explore spatial correlations and patterns, to understand geographical processes, and link data that shares a spatial location (M6). The module gives students a theoretical understanding of the concepts underpinning GIS and hands-on practical experience of using the latest commercial GIS programs and accessing live geospatial data. Many of the example applications will link the use of GIS to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (M7)

Key knowledge outcomes:

A grounding in the basic concepts that underpin GIS and geographical analysis in a practical setting (M12)
A thorough understanding of the data types that enable GIS analysis (M13)
An appreciation of the types of processes and models that can be applied in GIS
An introduction to the types of outputs that GIS can produce (M17)
An awareness of the different ways to represent the real world in a GIS (raster, vector, 2D, 3D)

*Codes in brackets (e.g. M3) refer to the Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Fourth Edition

Intended Skill Outcomes

The practical aspects of the module will equip students with the ability to:

navigate GIS software, access data, and work with different data formats
plan a GIS project
identify and process appropriate GIS data to solve specific problems
produce and present map outputs using appropriate cartographic principles

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students are introduced to core concepts in lectures and these concepts are then explored further and practised through practical sessions, which includes one assessed practical and one formative assessment. The practicals have been developed to enable the students to work independently and the practicals before each coursework submission will enable students to develop their submission. A series of Canvas tests will check knowledge after lecture/practical pairs.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Students' understanding and knowledge of core theoretical factors underpinning the management, analysis and presentation of spatial data is assessed through a digital examination. Intended skills and a practical, working knowledge of data and software is assessed through assessed practical work.

The summative coursework submission assess the understanding of concepts from lectures and computer-based practical sessions, allowing students to independently put into practice cartographic principles, data classification techniques, and data processing

Students are introduced to core concepts in lectures and this is practised through formative practical classes, two assessed practical and a larger independent piece of work. The practicals have been developed to enable the students to work independently. The practicals develop core skills to foster independent learning and exploration. These are assessed through a GIS project that allows students to utilise the tools, processes and data introduced in the module in a holistic manner.

General Notes

N/A