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2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5060M GIS and Environment

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr S J Carver
Email: s.j.carver@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

Pre-requisite qualifications

GEOG5510 or GEOG5740

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG5051MApplied Environmental GIS, WUN

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module looks at the ways in which GIS can be applied to the study of environmental sciences including modelling terrain, hydrology, ecology and land use. The module considers issues in the application of GIS such as sampling strategies, scale and generalisation, error and uncertainty, and grid-based modelling before looking at how these methods can be applied to understand landscape processes.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired:
- an understanding of the role of GIS in mapping and analysing the environment;
- knowledge of the use of GIS across a range of applications in the environmental sciences including terrain analysis, hydrology, and environmental assessment;
- familiarity with the use and application of the ArcGIS package; and,
- knowledge of environmental data sources, skills in the interpretation of spatial environmental data and an awareness of specific problems and issues relating to data quality, spatial data models and methods of interpolation.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will:
- have developed a wider appreciation of the theory and concepts of GIS and its application to a range of problems within environmental science and management;
- be able to apply GIS to a range of problems within the environmental sciences;
- have developed a working knowledge of the ArcGIS software and be able to use this effectively.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the ArcGIS software suite.
- be able to apply GIS principles to problem solving within the environmental sciences.
- be able to use ArcGIS to solve specific spatial data mapping, management and analysis problems within environmental science and management.


Syllabus

Indicative topics could include:
- Introduction to GIS for environmental applications
- Spatial & temporal variability and environmental data
- Error and uncertainty
- Principles of grid-based modelling
- Terrain modelling: the basics
- Terrain modelling: applications
- Morphometrics
- Hydrological modelling 1
- Hydrological modelling 2
- Environmental assessment
- Making decisions.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Practical112.0022.00
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours106.00
Total Contact hours44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

- Completion of practical classes (10 hours)
- Research for assessed practical work (40 hours)
- Completion of assessed practical work (58 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored by:
1. performance within practical classes
2. assessed practical assignments
3. submission of research project proposal (formative assessment).

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
ProjectProject report (2,500 word equivalent)70.00
PortfolioPractical portfolio (1,500 word equivalent)30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

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