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 GEOG5740This module is mutually exclusive with
| GEOG5051M | Applied 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 type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Practical | 11 | 2.00 | 22.00 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Private study hours | 106.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 44.00 | ||
| 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 type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Project | Project report (2,500 word equivalent) | 70.00 |
| Portfolio | Practical 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 websiteLast updated: 26/04/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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