2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG1270 GIS for Human Geography

10 creditsClass Size: 300

Module manager: Prof Graham Clarke
Email: g.p.clarke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The course aims to introduce students to the broad concept of Geographical Information Systems. GIS are widely used in both public and private sector environments. After a broad overview of the principles of GIS the course looks at four major application areas: use of GIS by the police, fire services, health institutions and the private sector. Then we concentrate on the building blocks of GIS - spatial data sources and computer mapping. In order to analyse spatial data we then explore key GIS functions such as buffer and overlay. Finally we introduce spatial modelling in the form of location-allocation models. The students work on practical exercises each week thus finally producing a report based on a GIS application for health or retail.

Objectives

On completion of this module students should have acquired
i) an understanding of the main dimensions of GIS;
ii) knowledge of the applications of GIS in human geography;
iii)an understanding of spatial analysis techniques linked to GIS;
iv) an appreciation of the key data sets which populate GIS systems;
v) working knowledge of MAPINFO.

Skills outcomes
A Knowledge and Understanding
A1 The dynamic nature of geographical thought and practice and the inter-relationships between the discipline and the physical and natural sciences, the social sciences and humanities
A4 Spatial patterns and relationships in human phenomena at a variety of scales
A6 The geographies of difference and inequality with particular reference to historical development, ethnicity, class, gender and the changing nature of urban and regional economies and policy
A9 The theory and application of quantitative, visualisation and other spatial techniques across a wide range of geographical contexts
A10 The contribution of geography to development of environmental political, economic and cultural agendas, policies and practices

B Cognitive skills
B1 Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources
B3 Critical analysis and interpretation of data and text
B4 Developing reasoned arguments
B5 Solving problems and making reasoned decisions

C Practical/professional skills
C1 Plan, design, execute and report geographical research both individually and as part of a team
C3 Employ a variety of technical and laboratory-based methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and environmental information (e.g. GIS, water chemistry, etc)
C4 Collect, interpret and synthesise different types of quantitative and qualitative geographical data

D Key skills
D1 Learn in familiar and unfamiliar situations
D2 Communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and through graphical presentations)
D3 Apply numerical and computational skills to geographical information
D4 Use information technology effectively (including use of spreadsheet, database and word processing programmes; Internet and e-mail)
D5 Identify, retrieve, sort and exchange geographical information using a wide range of sources
D6 Work as part of a team and to recognise and respect the viewpoints of others
D7 Manage time and organise work effectively

Syllabus

1: Introduction to course: Examples of applied GIS: emergency services & crime GC
Practical on fire station location in Leeds
2. Lecture 2: Examples of applied GIS: health care planning GC
Practical on hospital location in Leeds
3 Lecture 3: GIS for retail and business analysis & introduction to projects GC
Practical on building a spatial zoning system
4 Lecture 4: Socio-economic data sources LS
Practical to download postcode data, find point data and generate `demand¿
5 Lecture 5: GIS and mapping LS
Practical to map demand and point data
6 Lecture 6: Buffering in GIS LS
Practical to draw buffers
7 No lecture

8 Lecture 7: GIS and spatial analysis: spatial queries LS
Practical on spatial query, buffer and overlay
9 Lecture 8: GIS and spatial modelling GC
Practical on location-allocation models
10 Lecture 9: Conclusions and problem solving

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Practical	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			30.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

30 hours reading to support lectures
40 hours preparation of practical material for assessment

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Through student feedback during the lectures themselves and feedback obtained in the course review process. Furthermore, the lecturers attend the practical classes and can monitor progress directly (and provide more guidance and feedback as necessary) . A practical sheet is handed in each week and this again allows staff to monitor progress.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	1,500 Words	67.00
Project	1,000 Words	33.00
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: 29/04/2009

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