CEG1702 : Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Alistair Ford
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enabling students to:
To understand the fundamental concepts of a GIS and its uses and applications.
To gain hands-on experience of using a GIS to solve real-world problems.
To appreciate the GI Science behind the GI System, including theoretical approaches to representing and analysis geospatial data.
Outline Of Syllabus
Lecture content covers a range of introductory topics, including defining what GIS is, who uses it, why they use it, what they can do with it, and what is special about working with geospatial data. Students will be introduced to GIS data models for spatial data (e.g. discrete vs continuous data), the process of thematic mapping (types of thematic maps, uses of thematic maps, classification models for thematic maps), working with continuous data (e.g. sampling and interpolation, elevation data) and vector data (e.g. geometric primitives, attributes and databases) representations of the world in GIS, data formats and data providers (including topics such as standards, common formats, data providers), processing and modelling in GIS, visualisation, cartographic design and output from GIS.
Practical sessions are used to apply the theoretical concepts taught in lectures, including getting started in ArcGIS Pro software, accessing spatial data, cartographic basics, introductory spatial analysis (raster analysis, interpolation, reclassification, Multi-Criteria Evaluation), working with 3D data, and creating new spatial data.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 6:00 | 6:00 | Two practical lab reports (one formative, one summative) |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 9 | 1:00 | 9:00 | Mix of asynchronous lectures and synchronous online lecturers, or PiP situation/space dependent |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Revision for examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | PiP practical session to assist with submission development |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Synchronous online practicals delivered using Microsoft Azure Labs. |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | Independent practice of GIS skills after online practicals. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Examination (controlled computer-based multiple choice) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 45:00 | 45:00 | Independent background reading of course texts /lecture notes for full understanding of material. |
| Total | 100:00 |
Jointly Taught With
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| CEG8702 | An Introduction to the Fundamentals of GIS |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Students are introduced to core concepts in lectures and these concepts are then explored further and practised through practical sessions, which includes one assessed practical and one formative assessment. The practicals have been developed to enable the students to work independently and the practicals before each coursework submission will enable students to develop their submission. A series of Canvas tests will check knowledge after lecture/practical pairs.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 50 | online multiple-choice exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 1 | M | 50 | Map (1 page) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | Editing and creating data, mapping. Approx 2.5 hours work |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Students' understanding and knowledge of core theoretical factors underpinning the management, analysis and presentation of spatial data is assessed through a digital examination. Intended skills and a practical, working knowledge of data and software is assessed through assessed practical work.
The summative coursework submission assess the understanding of concepts from lectures and computer-based practical sessions, allowing students to independently put into practice cartographic principles, data classification techniques, and data processing
Students are introduced to core concepts in lectures and this is practised through formative practical classes, two assessed practical and a larger independent piece of work. The practicals have been developed to enable the students to work independently. The practicals develop core skills to foster independent learning and exploration. These are assessed through a GIS project that allows students to utilise the tools, processes and data introduced in the module in a holistic manner.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CEG1702's Timetable