Module Code | GG1000 |
Module Name | GIS: Geographic Information Systems |
ECTS Weighting [1] | 5 ECTS |
Semester Taught | 1 |
Module Coordinator/s | Dr. John Connolly |
Module Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Understand the theory and practical application of GIS software, spatial data sources and date management issues.
- Use applied knowledge to gain insights into environmental issues.
- A sound knowledge of the relationship between GIS analysis and report writing.
Module Content
Topics covered in this module are:
- This module introduces the student to GIS and ArcGIS Pro. The module aims to train students to understand the components of a GIS and to use those various components to gain valuable insights into spatial data. The module explores how to identify, create, manage and use geographic data and geographical information systems. The aim is to teach students about how data is created, found, and utilized by geographic researchers. The module will enable students to: find and evaluate data; create, organize, analyze and interpret spatial data, create maps and visualizations of spatial data. All this will be completed within ESRI’s ArcGIS Pro software.
- The module begins with an introduction to GIS and the theory around geospatial data, digitisation, georeferencing, layering of spatial data. The module takes an incremental approach to learning GIS and supports the student to utilise different aspects of the GIS and its’ application to environmental issues. We will examine how a GIS can be used to integrate data in different forms including tabular, spatial and visual data. We will examine techniques used for setting up field sampling as well as how to develop and output high quality maps. We will also look at the concepts of precision and accuracy related to mapping as well as conducting accuracy assessments and how to develop various related metrics.
Teaching and Learning Methods
- Lectures
- Computer based practical
Assessment Details
100% continuous assessment
MAC1: Reviewing the use of applied GIS (20%)
MAC2: Ongoing reflective portfolio of how to use GIS for different circumstances (20%)
MAC3: Research Project/Report on topic of interest using GIS (60%)
Assessment Component | Brief Description | Learning Outcomes Addressed | % of Total | Week Set | Week Due |
Ongoing reflective blog of how to use GIS for different circumstances | Weekly reflection within blackboard environment “Reflective learning can aid learners in synthesizing new information, and it is often used to improve reading comprehension, writing performance, and self-esteem via self-examination.” | LO1, LO2, LO3 | 20% | Week 1 | Week 12 |
Reviewing the use of applied GIS | Report on how GIS can be used to gain insights into environmental problems | LO1, LO2, LO3 | 25% | Week 2 | Week 6 |
Research Project on topic of interest using GIS | End of module project which will demonstrate the skills learned within the module integrated with a specific topic of interest as well as a written report. | LO1, LO2, LO3 | 55% | Week 7 | Week 12 |
Reassessment Details
One essay and one project report to be submitted by early August.
Contact Hours and Indicative Student Workload
Contact Hours (scheduled hours per student over full module), broken down by: | 32 hours |
Lecture | 22 hours |
Laboratory | 0 hours |
Tutorial or seminar | 10 hours |
Other | 0 hours |
Independent study (outside scheduled contact hours), broken down by: | 93 hours |
Preparation for classes and review of material (including preparation for examination, if applicable) | 16 hours |
Completion of assessments (including examination, if applicable) | 77 hours |
Total Hours | 125 hours |
Recommended Reading List
- Guo, Huadong, Michael F. Goodchild, and Alessandro Annoni. 2020. Manual of Digital Earth. Singapore: Springer
- Longley et al.: Geographic Information Systems & Science (Wiley, NJ, third edition, 2011)
- Heywood et al.: An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (Prentice Hall, NJ, fourth edition, 2011).
- Guo, H., Nativi, S., Liang, D., Craglia, M., Wang, L., Schade, S., Corban, C., He, G., Pesaresi, M., Li, J., Shirazi, Z., Liu, J. and Annoni, A. (2020), “Big Earth Data science: an information framework for a sustainable planet”, International Journal of Digital Earth, Vol. 13 No. 7, pp. 743-767, doi: 10.1080/17538947.2020.1743785.
Module Pre-requisites
Prerequisite modules:
Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: N/A
Module Co-requisites
N/A