2019/20 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

GEOG5991M Programming for Geographical Information Analysis (WUN): Core Skills

15 creditsClass Size: 30

Module manager: Dr Andrew Evans
Email: A.J.Evans@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Apr to 31 Jul, 1 Apr to 31 Jul (Adv pre 2223), 1 Jan to 30 Apr, 1 Jul to 31 Oct, 1 Oct to 31 Jan (Adv pre 2223) View Timetable

Year running 2019/20

This module is mutually exclusive with

GEOG5990M	Programming for Geographical Information Analysis: Core Skil
GEOG5995M	Programming for Social Science: Core Skills

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module provides foundation level skills in computer programming. It introduces different types of programming and software development practice in general and in a geographical context. It encourages sustainable software development through: the application of software licences; the production of well documented source code; software testing; version control; and the production of user documentation. It is based on the development of software for geographical data processing and visualisation in a series of supported practical exercises.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have:

- A clear understanding of sustainable software development practice.
- Awareness of common issues in computer programming and in developing software.
- Awareness of useful resources for developing software.
- Practiced developing well tested, well documented source code and delivering a package of software.

Learning outcomes
Foundation level computer programming.
Practical skills in sustainable software development.

Skills outcomes
Abstraction and synthesis of information from a variety of sources.
Solving problems and making reasoned decisions.
Plan, design, execute and report research.
Undertake effective analysis work.
Employ a variety of technical methods for the analysis and presentation of spatial and environmental information.
Apply numerical and computational skills to data.
Use information technology effectively.

Syllabus

- Introduction to computer programming.
- Variables and scripting.
- Flow control and procedures.
- Data input
- Data processing
- Data visualisation
- Interfacing with GIS software.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	8	2.00	16.00
Practical	8	2.00	16.00
Tutorial	1	2.00	2.00
Private study hours			116.00
Total Contact hours			34.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Students will be given structured practical work and will be expected to work on these projects independently, with academic support
delivered by online forums, email, and, if necessary, over the phone. The practical projects, which comprise the minor assessment in the form of a portfolio, will build the foundational knowledge for the major assessment: a final stand-alone computer model/analysis tool of a geographical system. The students will be supported through this work with VLE materials, including online learning materials, FAQs, and materials on ancillary and supporting topics.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through practical tasks. The major assessment will be individual to each student; students will have the option of designing their own project (within some key limitations - for example, that the software must load and write data, and involve data analysis). Students will have access to assessment-orientated materials, including walk-through discussions of structuring solutions and the coding that might be involved.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	2,500 word equivalent	70.00
Portfolio	1,500 word equivalentPortfolio of practical work	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

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 30/04/2019

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