The aim of this course is to introduce the student to Geographical Information Systems through a theoretical and practical approach.

This is an introductory course in GIS as a tool for the analysis of spatial data. Lectures introduce the theoretical aspects; computer labs provide the hands-on experience with professional GIS software.

This study covers topics like the different definitions and understandings of GIS as a tool versus a science, GIS in a historical and future perspective, the different data structures used to represent geographical data and how to secure the quality of such data. Further it focuses on the organisation of geographical data in databases and how to query these, and it presents various types of spatial analyses, modelling and sources of errors in GIS. The principles and applications of remote sensing are presented and an introduction to image processing is given.

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has theoretical knowledge about management and analyses of geographical data in a GIS
• has a broad knowledge about the characteristics, representation and different models of geographical data
• has adequate knowledge about spatial databases
• can explain the principles of remote sensing as a method to collect data, present various applications and has adequate understanding of basic image-processing and ¿analyses
• can give account of various sources of errors in a GIS project
• can give account of the historical development and future perspectives of GIS
• can reflect upon and discuss the different definitions and understandings of GIS as a tool vs. a science.

Skills

The candidate

• can collect, manage and analyse geographical data in a GIS
• can complete all main types of GIS-analyses and combine them in own models (geoprocessing)
• can assess and reflect upon various sources of errors in all steps of a GIS-analysis

General competence

The candidate

• has adequate competence to plan and complete GIS-based analyses.
• works independently with professional GIS software and is able to do theoretically based choices to secure quality of the completed work.

Open to all students at the University of Bergen.

This course has a limited number of places. When registering for the course you apply to be admitted. The registration deadline for GEO215 is Friday in week 33, before the regular deadline. Students who fulfill the prerequisites, are admitted to the course after this priority list:

1. Students from the Bachelor's Programme in Geography, geography students from the Bachelor's Programme in Environment and Resource Management
2. Students from the Master's Programme in Geography at University of Bergen
3. Exchange students and students from other programmes at The University of Bergen

Equally qualified applicants in group 3 will be prioritised according to registered date of application.

Lectures/seminars and computer labs

6-8 lectures/seminars á 2 hours

1 datalab á 3 hours per week (7-8 datalabs)

Total: 12-16 hours of lectures: 24 hours in computer lab

10-12 weeks in total

2 approved lab reports

Approved lab reports will be valid for the following four semesters.

• Portfolio assessment (65%). The portfolio contains two written assignments, assignment 1 (25%) and assignment 2 (75%). The portfolio work is done throughout the teaching semester.
• Oral exam (35%).

All parts of assessment must be passed in the same semester. The grades for the porfolio assessment and oral exam, and the final grade will be published in Studentweb.

Department of Geography

Studieveileder@geog.uib.no