Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)
Module GEOG2591: GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
Department: Geography
GEOG2591: GIS AND REMOTE SENSING
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2011/12 | Module Cap | None. | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- None
Corequisites
- None
Excluded Combination of Modules
- 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ■ | |
| Preparation and Reading | 167 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Exam | Component Weighting: 67% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| unseen exam | 2 hours | 100% | |
| Component: Project | Component Weighting: 33% | ||
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| 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
■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University