| CODE | SCI5003 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Analytical Methods and Techniques in Geographic Information Systems | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Institute of Earth Systems | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit focuses on the use of GIS as a decision support tool in managing natural resources and promoting sustainable development practices. Applications and spatial problem-solving in the areas of energy, air and water, waste management, agriculture and coastal resources are emphasized. The content covered in the first part of this study-unit will include: (i) data resources; (ii) data quality; (iii) issues of privacy and ethics; (iv) data visualizations; (v) database structures; (vi) and data manipulation. Students will then use remote sensing and digital elevation models to visualize environmental issues. In the final part of the study-unit, students will address issues of spatial query and analysis, once again considering relevant principles, techniques and software tools. The skills acquired will be applied through a project, which will enable students to identify and analyze spatial questions. Study-Unit Aims: - Data resources - Data quality; - Privacy and ethical issues; - Data visualization; - Database structures; - Data manipulation; - Remote sensing and digital elevation models, including relevant principles techniques, and software tools. The sudy-unit also aims to enable students to: - Address and solve spatial questions, considering the relevant principles, techniques and software tools; - Apply skills acquired through a project which will help students synthesize the content of the study-unit by investigating key spatial questions from a real-world scenario. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify uses of GIS to analyze spatial data; - Select spatial problem solving methodologies to environmental problems of interest; - Interpret the results of spatial problem solving methodologies for environmental and sustainability problems of interest. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Create and analyze maps with multiple vector and raster data layers; - Locate and use GIS data from a variety of sources; - Develop models using geospatial data; - Pose appropriate spatial questions; - Use GIS as decision support tool to solve natural resources/environmental problems; - Use and interpret remotely sensed data. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: Longley, P., Goodchild, M., Maguire, D., & Rhind, D. (2005). Geographic Information Systems and Science. UK: John Wiley and Sons. Clarke, K. (1997). Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems. US: Prentice Hall. Schuurman, N. (2004). GIS A short introduction. UK: Blackwell Publishing. Monmonier, M. (1996). How to Lie with Maps. US: University of Chicago Press. Keranen, K., & Kolvoord, R. (2011). Making Spatial Decisions Using GIS. US: ESRI Press. Supplementary Readings: Burrough, P. (1986). Principles of Geographic Information Systems for Land Resources Assessment. UK: Oxford Science Publications. McDonnell, R., & Kemp, K. (1995). International GIS Dictionary. UK: John Wiley and Sons. Mitchell, A. (1999). The ESRI Guide to GIS Analysis Vol 1. Geographic Patterns and Relationships. US: ESRI Press. Burrough, P., & McDonnell, R. (1998) Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Spatial Information Systems and Geostatistics. UK: Oxford Science Publications. Kraak, M.J., & Ormeling, F.J. (1996). Cartography Visualisation of Spatial Data. UK: Addison Wesley Longman Limited. Maguire, D., Batty, M., &Goodchild, M.F. (2005). GIS Spatial Analysis and Modelling. US: ESRI Press. Krugier, J., & Wood, D. (2005). Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS. US: Guilford Press. Worboys, M., & Duckham, M. (2004). GIS: A Computing Perspective. UK: CRC Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldwork, Lectures and Tutorials | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Robert Kolvoord |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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