The teaching methodology is based on face-to-face theoretical and practical activities, including fieldwork and computer laboratory sessions.

Part of the course content will be delivered through in-person lectures, with particular emphasis on concepts that are difficult to acquire through self-directed learning alone. Students are expected to read the corresponding teaching materials before each class so that the sessions can be developed through active interaction and discussion. Afterwards, students will be expected to complement the class outline with bibliographic resources and the supporting graphical material (PowerPoint presentations) provided, as part of their independent study.

This course has a strong practical component, which is considered essential both for understanding the theoretical concepts and for developing the more applied competencies. Consequently, the written examinations will include a substantial theoretical-practical component.

The practical activities are divided into computer laboratory sessions and fieldwork. During the computer laboratory sessions, students will be provided with practical guides containing exercises designed to familiarize them with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing as critical users. The fieldwork component consists of a field trip during which students will apply land cover mapping techniques.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Examinations

1. The Midterm examination will include questions, generally requiring short written answers, designed to assess whether students have acquired the key concepts.

2. The final examination will include essay-type questions requiring the development of a topic. The aim is to assess students' ability to apply and integrate the concepts learned within the context of a case study, in which they will be required to design an appropriate methodology to address a specific environmental problem with spatial and temporal implications.

The final examination will also provide students with the opportunity to retake the midterm examination. This applies both to students who are required to do so (those obtaining a mark below 4.0 in the midterm) and to those wishing to improve their midterm grade. In the latter case, the highest of the two grades will be retained. Students wishing to retake the midterm to improve their grade must notify the course coordinator by email at least three days in advance.

In all examinations, there will be a strong emphasis on the concepts and skills developed during the practical sessions.

Submission of the Practical Report

The practical component of the course is compulsory and consists of one field trip and several computer laboratory sessions. Practical work will be assessed both individually and in groups through a course project consisting of: the production of a land cover map based on the photointerpretation of orthophotos; and a report analysing the territory and vegetation of the area visited during the field trip.

Individual assessment will be carried out during the field trip, whereas the group assessment will be based on the submission of the final report.

Passing Requirements

Students will receive a final grade (calculated as the weighted average of all assessment activities) provided that they obtain a minimum mark of 4.0 in each of the three assessment components. If any component is graded below 4.0, the student will fail the course unless they qualify as Not Assessed. A final grade of 5.0 or higher is required to pass the course. Students will receive the grade Not Assessed if the completed assessment activities account for less than 67% of the final grade.

Attendance

Attendance at both the computer laboratory sessions and the field trip is compulsory. Unjustified absence may result in the student being classified as Not Assessed.

Single Assessment

As the practical activities (computer laboratory sessions and field trip) are compulsory, students following the single-assessment pathway will complete and submit the same practical report as those under continuous assessment. Since there are no additional assessment activities, the single assessment is identical to the continuous assessment.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature and information searches, text proofreading, and translations. Failure to disclose the use of AI in assessed activities will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in partial or total loss of marks for the activity, or more severe disciplinary measures in serious cases.

Academic Misconduct in Assessment Activities

Any form of academic misconduct during an assessment activity (including academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI, unless such use is explicitly authorised in the course syllabus) that could significantly affect the assessment outcome will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for that assessment activity. If the course syllabus establishes that obtaining a minimum grade in that assessment activity is a compulsory requirement to pass the course, or if multiple instances of academic misconduct occur within the same course, the student will receive a final course grade of 0 (zero). In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student found to have committed such academic misconduct.