GG4328 Advanced Topics in Geographic Information Science (GISci)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Mon: 1-5pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr U Demsar

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Urska Demsar

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Students will learn how to use advanced GIScience methods for applications in human and environmental geography, including spatial statistics methods, methods for analysis of movement or other contemporary developments in GIScience. The module is structured around two types of methods, each of which has a specific application purpose and is assessed in a small pre-defined lab project. Each part also has a related seminar, where students find and present applications of the method. The final part of the module consists of an independent research project, where each student selects their own topics, find data and runs appropriate spatial analyses. We further run an annual career event, GIS Day, where we invite professionals from industry and academia to come and present how they use GIS and spatial analysis in their work. The module will use Free and Open Source Software (e.g. QGIS, R, Python, GeoDA), to be compatible across the Win/Mac divide.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS GG3209

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU PASS GG4228 OR TAKE GG4228

Assessment pattern

100% coursework

Re-assessment

100% coursework

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 lectures (X9 weeks), 2 seminars (X5 weeks), 2 practical labs (X10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

48

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

250

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Display familiarity with two different groups of advanced spatial analysis methods,
  • Analyse complex spatial data independently,
  • Display problem solving and troubleshooting skills applicable to spatial research projects,
  • Define and execute their own research project, and
  • Display confidence in the use GIS and spatial data science software.