This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)
Module GEOG2591: GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
Department: Geography
GEOG2591: GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 2 | 20 | Available in 2010/2011 | None. | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combinations
- None
Aims
- To introduce concepts of spatial representations of the human and physical worlds
- To develop skills in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software, and in spatial data analysis
- To understand the role of GIS and Remote Sensing in addressing a range of spatially-related applications
Content
- Introduction to concepts and applications of remote sensing systems:
- principles of Earth observation
- remote sensing systems, passive and active, remote sensing applications
- digital image processing, display and enhancement, pattern recognition and modelling
- GIS:
- representing geographical data and information
- spatial analysis of human-environment relations
- socio-economic applications
- Introduction to concepts and methods for spatial data analysis, including notions of:
- point patterns
- spatial autocorrelation
- spatial prediction
- scale, shape and direction
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge
- Students are expected to:
- Understand some of the key applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in human and physical geography
- Understand the benefits and limitations of spatial information techniques
Subject-specific Skills
- Students are expected to:
- Use spatial information software to handle and analyse small geographical datasets
- Have practised the use of GIS and Remote Sensing software
Key Skills
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Basic facts, technical information and areas of application will be introduced and explained through lectures.
- Key concepts of spatial information will be introduced and discussed in lectures
- Hands-on use of spatial information software will take place through practical sessions
- Workshops will be used both to enhance understanding of concepts and techniques and to support individual learning of software
- An unseen examination will be used to test knowledge of basic facts and understanding of concepts related to geographical information and spatial information systems
- Student projects will be used to consolidate and develop techniques of data analysis and use of proprietary software
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 13 | Varies | 1 or 2 hours | 18 | |
| Practicals | 9 | Varies | 1 or 2 hours | 13 | |
| Workshop | 1 | 1 hour | 1 | ||
| Seminar (Project Formulation) | 1 | 1 hour | 1 | Yes | |
| Preparation and Reading | 167 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 67% | unseen exam | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Project | 33% | Technical Report with Critical Appraisal | 5 x sides A4 | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Formative feedback will be provided on the practicals during term 1 and the Project Formulation seminar in term 2
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.