2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5740M Introducing GIS

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Helen Durham
Email: h.p.durham@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG5010M	Principles Of GIS
GEOG5011M	Principles of GIS (WUN)
GEOG5021M	Using Databases and GIS (WUN)
GEOG5510M	Using GIS

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces students to the diverse ways in which the concepts and theories, that form the basis of modern GIS, are implemented and applied to studies in human and physical geography.In addition to the theory, this module takes people with no experience of GIS software and teaches them how to use various proprietary and open source GIS to analyse geographical data.Students are introduced to a range of desktop GIS functions including thematic mapping, spatial querying, spatial aggregation, geocoding, buffering, overlay, multi-criteria evaluation, etc., and how to carry out these functions in these software packages as appropriate.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:
-Introduce students to the main elements of GIS theory and concepts;
- Train students in the use of a variety of proprietary and open source GIS;
-Introduce students to a variety of data sources and how to extract data from online databases
- Provide skills in data entry, manipulation, analysis and mapping and to be able to use the basic spatial analysis techniques included in GIS to solve geographical problems;
- Provide an appreciation of the differences between vector and raster models when used in application contexts.
- Introduce students to research methods, spatial analytical capabilities, GIS applications areas, issues of data quality, scientific literature and technology.

Skills outcomes
Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the concepts and theories of modern GIS;
-Be familiar with resources, literature and techniques for applying GIS to problem solving within human and physical geography;
-Be able to discuss the concepts, principles and methods of using GIS to solve specific spatial data mapping, management and analysis problems.
- Practical and professional skills to plan, design, execute a GIS project

Syllabus

Subjects covered by the module will include:
- Introduction to GIS
- Hardware and software components of GIS
- Datums, projections and geocoding
- Data models and structures
- Databases
- Fundamentals of spatial functionality
Lectures correspond to the first 2-day block of GEOG5010M Principles of GIS. Four training day courses, taken from GEOG5510M Using GIS (to correspond to the student's chosen desktop GIS packages) are also attended.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	2	6.00	12.00
Workshop	4	8.00	32.00
Private study hours			106.00
Total Contact hours			44.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

To undertake reading, research and preparation of assessed work

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Workbooks are completed during the training days and reviewed by academic staff in-session.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2000 word essay	50.00
Report	Project (2000 word equivalent)	50.00
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: 01/10/2015

Disclaimer

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