The course methodology combines theoretical sessions, guided practical activities and students’ independent work. The theoretical sessions introduce the concepts, approaches and debates related to the use of GIS in territorial, urban and environmental planning, and are complemented by activities involving reflection, discussion and the preparation of planning case studies.

The course includes simulation activities based on decision-making, territorial conflict or negotiation processes. In these activities, students will work with real situations and will be required to assess the role of geospatial data, spatial models and GIS in defining, justifying and discussing planning alternatives.

A significant part of the course is developed through guided and supervised practical sessions in the classroom, in which students apply spatial analysis, modelling and cartographic representation methodologies using tools such as MiraMon and ArcGIS Pro. These practical sessions combine work supported by the teaching staff with tasks that students must complete independently, with the aim of consolidating the procedures covered in class.

Finally, the course includes the development of an applied project in pairs, related to the course content and to the practical activities carried out. This project will allow students to integrate the theoretical and methodological knowledge acquired, as well as to develop their own spatial analysis applied to a planning problem.

Learning activities are therefore organised around four main axes:

1. theoretical and discussion sessions, aimed at introducing key concepts and reflecting on the role of GIS in planning.

2. Guided practical sessions with GIS software, mainly using MiraMon and ArcGIS Pro.

3. Simulation and case-solving activities, focused on decision-making processes, territorial conflict and the assessment of alternatives.

4. Independent work and course project, aimed at consolidating learning outcomes and applying them to an individual case study.

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.

Assessment is continuous; therefore, in order to achieve the learning outcomes, it is necessary to follow the course throughout its duration.

• Written exam (30%)
• In-class activities and participation (30%)
• Practical assignments (20%)
• Course project (20%)

The final grade is calculated as the weighted average of the assessment activities. However, please note, to pass the course, the written exam and the course project must both be passed.

Assessment criteria for written exams: relevance of the answer and the level of knowledge demonstrated on the subject will be evaluated.

Assessment criteria for practical assignments and case studies worked on in class: formal aspects, correct calculation of indicators (when this is the objective of the assignment), proper execution of a structured analysis of the results obtained, and interpretation of the results. Special emphasis will be placed on the ability to extract and present the most relevant information and relate it to the course content.

Assessment criteria for the course project: formal aspects, definition of objectives, problem statement and models used to improve service planning, definition of analysis variables, resolution of results, their interpretation, conclusions, and their public presentation, when applicable.

Review of grades

The maximum deadline for providing feedback and communicating the grades of the assessment activities is three weeks.

At the time of each assessment activity, the lecturer will inform students, via Moodle, of the procedure and date for reviewing grades.

Recovery

The exam (30%) and the course project (20%) can be taken again if it has been failed.

Not evaluable

Students who have not handed in more than 30% of the evaluation activities will receive a grade of 'Not evaluable'.

Plagiarism

If the student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade of an assessment, this assessment will be graded as 0, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. If several irregularities occur in the assessments of the same subject, the final grade for this subject will be 0.

Use of artificial intelligence

Restricted use: For this subject, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted only for support tasks such as bibliographic or information searches, proofreading, and translations. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using AI technologies, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these technologies have influenced the process and the final result of the activity. Failure to be transparent about the use of AI in this assessable activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total penalty for the activity, or a more severe penalty in serious cases.

Single assessment

This subject/module does not include a single assessment system.