GG1000 – GIS: Geographic Information Systems

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.

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.

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

One essay and one project report to be submitted by early August.

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

Prerequisite modules:

Other/alternative non-module prerequisites: N/A

N/A