GEO1025 : Mapping a changing world: GIS for Geographers
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
- Module Leader(s): Dr Gainbi Park
- Lecturer: Dr Niall Cunningham, Dr Wen Lin, Dr Mark Kincey
- Owning School: Geography, Politics & Sociology
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The overall aim of this module is to introduce the principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and to a range of statistical methods for the analysis of spatial data. We will begin by introducing cartographic principles and week-by-week build competencies around managing and analysing spatial datasets. Application of techniques will be developed whilst dealing with geographical grand challenges.
The module will enable students to:
- Develop an understanding of the emergence and development of GIS as a technology, both within the discipline and within society at large.
- Enhance knowledge of the GIS representation of the physical environment and human society, fostering practical insights and analytical skills.
- Gain essential skills and knowledge to work with various geospatial data types and perform spatial analysis for a wide range of applications.
Each lecture and practical will aim to link GIS analyses with topical real-world case studies around the key themes (Geographical Perspectives on the Anthropocene Era, Climate, Pollution, Sustainability and Biodiversity). This will frame the practical sessions around clearly defined interdisciplinary topics.
This module aims to provide students with key transferable skills to boost their employability and practical skills for use throughout their degree programme and further employment.
Outline Of Syllabus
We will begin by introducing cartographic principles and week-by-week build competencies around managing and analysing spatial datasets. Application of techniques will be developed whilst dealing with geographical crises.
Core technical competencies may include:
- Introduction to GIS and quantitative techniques
- Principles of Cartography, geovisualisation and Map Design
- Coordinate systems and projections
- Spatial data types and models
- Secondary data sources
- Data management and editing
- Spatial analysis (e.g., distance, density, zonal)
- Interpret data and apply appropriate spatial statistics
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Present-in-Person (PiP) Lectures. 1 hr lectures × 11 (11 hours). *The last lecture will be a wrap-up session. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 62 | 1:00 | 62:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | 2 hr each × 11 (22 hours). *The last week of the practical activities will serve as a drop-in session for assessments. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 105 | 1:00 | 105:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures and practicals complement each other by providing a theoretical background of the concept along with practical, hands-on experience using GIS and R software, integrating a variety of geographical datasets.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assessment | 2 | M | 40 | Online quiz based on lectures and practicals (multiple-choice format) |
| Poster | 2 | M | 60 | Infographic Project (individual project) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
- Online multiple-choice assessments will verify that students have comprehended the concepts and can interpret the practical outcomes and ideas presented in the lectures.
- The creative project will assess the students’ ability to combine practical knowledge and apply it to a creative output based on real-world data and aligned with their interests.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- GEO1025's Timetable