Syllabus

TN0329 GIS and Geographic Analysis, 15.0 Credits

Subjects

Education cycle

Modules

Advanced study in the main field

Grading scale

Language

Prior knowledge

Objectives

After completed the course, the students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Master basic principles of GIS and spatial analysis within typical issues of environmental assessment and natural/societal resources planning (i.e. environmental impact assessment, urban and rural planning, landscape ecology, archaeology).

Competence and skills:

• Implement methods for geographic analysis in standard GIS software.

• Develop and automate GIS for user-based requirements and applications.

• Practically design and implement projects of geographic analysis within adequate applications.

• Present practically performed projects of geographic analysis within adequate applications.

Judgement and approach:

• Critically search and quantify error sources in GIS.

• Optimise development, implementation, operation, and management of GIS.

Content

The course presents geographical information systems (GIS) as a tool for planning, implementing, and presenting projects containing spatial dimensions. It focuses on systems and processes that may be referenced to the earth, although its principles are applicable to any coordinate system. Upon analysing such systems and processes, it comprises inferential techniques in addition to basic GIS usage. Applied on vectorised as well as rasterised information, the course contains elements of cartography, geodesy, database techniques, international map-base standards, international GIS law, spatial analysis, and spatial modelling. GIS software such as ArcGIS and/or IDRISI are used. In addition, methods for automation and development of user-adapted GIS-modules are presented.

The course is principally problem based (CASE-based), with GIS and geographic analysis being taught within the context of group-wise performed project studies. The projects will address current issues within adequate disciplines of free choice, and stimulate students to work with all the necessary steps from data collection to geographic analysis and map-based presentation of project reports. The students will also be taught to critically evaluate the possibilities and limitations of computer-based geographic analysis.

The course includes scheduled as well as non-scheduled activities. Scheduled activities include lectures, computer exercises, project supervision, evaluation, and examination, while individual, non-scheduled, activities include exercises, literature studies and project work in groups. Compulsory activities (such as computer exercises and project presentation) are indicated in the course schedule.

Grading form

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written individual exam in combination with group-wise presentation (written as well as oral) and opposition of project studies. Approved participation in compulsory parts of the course.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Energy and Technology