University of St Andrews - Scotland's first university, founded 1413

Module Catalogue

For information on which modules are specific to your programme, please see : Programme requirements index 2019-2020.

Curricular information may be subject to change.

GG4228 Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Science (GISci)

Academic year(s): 2019-2020

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 20

ECTS credits : 10

Level : SCQF level 10

Semester: 1

Availability restrictions: Core – available every year. Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable: Lecture Days - Monday 13:00 to 15:00. Practical Class Days - Monday 15:00 to 17:00

The first part of the course explores advanced spatial analysis techniques for use with geographic datasets. Students will gain theoretical and applied knowledge to study and describe spatial patterns in geographic data. Theoretical understanding will be emphasized through lectures and readings. Labs will be designed to provide students with hands-on experience applying theory and techniques to datasets spanning human and environmental geography in applications such as crime, forestry, health and environmental change. In the second part of the course students will engage in a small research project of their choosing to showcase their new advanced GIS skills. The project will allow students to use GIS and spatial analysis techniques to address a chosen problem in either of the social, physical, or environmental sciences. Students with domain knowledge in human geography or physical geography will be able to tailor GIS projects to their own interests

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisite(s): Before taking this module you must pass GG3201

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact:

Scheduled learning hours: 36

Guided independent study hours: 164

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: 1. IT Practicals (50%) - 2 x 25% IT lab assignments based on Analysing Spatial Point data, Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis, and/or Geographically Weighted Regression. 2. GIS project (50%) - Students will work on a topic/dataset of their own choosing. Perform an analysis using the skills learned in this course. Students will submit a written report in the form of a scientific article

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 100%

Re-assessment: 100% GIS Project

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr U Demsar
Module teaching staff: Dr Urska Demsar
Module coordinator email urska.demsar@st-andrews.ac.uk