Geographical Information Systems
Code: 45783Credits: 5
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental, Economic and Social Sustainability | OP | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Alaitz Zabala Torres
- Email :
- alaitz.zabala@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
Prior knowledge is not required.
Objectives
The main objective of this introductory course is to present the basic concepts and spatial analysis tools provided by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) derived from socio-environmental planning and management needs. The general objective is for each student to develop the skills to interpret and use spatial data, establishing the foundation for a subsequent (autonomous) expansion of knowledge in GIS science. The specific objectives are:
- Study of the main data models in GIS and their characteristics. Use of remote sensing data.
- Basic knowledge of data sources and useful formats for geographic studies of all kinds, with special attention to available standards.
- Introduce knowledge of basic GIS operations such as format changes, table management, mosaicking, and clipping. Buffer analysis. Introduction to interpolation. Vector and raster overlay.
- Apply basic GIS tools in the real-world socio-environmental management contexts presented in the course, including urban management, land-use dynamics, spatial dynamics with remote sensing for wildfires, etc.
- Understand basic georeferencing methods, the main georeference systems, and the tools to perform necessary coordinate system transformations.
- Understand and apply the principles of map composition in order to communicate results obtained from geographic information effectively.
Learning outcomes
- (CA25) Analyse complex socio-environmental problems using Geographic Information Systems as a support tool.
- (CA26) Critically evaluate the ethical and social implications of using GIS and spatial data in territorial management.
- (KA25) Describe the conceptual and methodological foundations of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
- (KA26) Define the data models and spatial databases that form the basis of GIS.
- (KA27) Explain the main analysis tools available in GIS software, to analyse environmental changes at different scales.
- (SA25) Be able to run GIS software for advanced online mapping search and the use of web geoservices.
- (SA26) Prepare cartographic compositions and edit results obtained in GIS to express territorial information.
- (SA27) Autonomously use new GIS software functionalities, demonstrating adequate upskilling through the development of cartographic products.
Contents
The topics developed in the course are:
Topic 1: Geographic information
- Information about the territory and phenomena located within the territory
- Geographic and non-geographic entities
- Nature of geographic information
Topic 2: Data models in GIS
- The raster model
- The vector model
- Data types, data formats, Internet publishing
- Remote sensing and GIS
Topic 3: Spatial analysis
- Layer overlay
- Buffer and distance maps
- Introduction to interpolation
Topic 4: Georeferencing
- Location as a relationship factor
- Basic georeferencing methods
- Main reference systems
The concepts and tools studied across all topics will be applied to practical case studies throughout the course in an integrated manner.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Development of a final project and its oral presentation | 22 | 0.88 | CA25, SA27 |
| Practical exercises developed independently by students | 45 | 1.8 | SA27 |
| Reading and studying course theoretical materials and related literature | 10 | 0.4 | KA25 |
| Type: Guided | |||
| Practical exercises guided by the teacher | 16 | 0.64 | KA25, KA26, KA27 |
| Teacher lectures | 12 | 0.48 | KA25, KA26, KA27 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Monitoring of course project and oral presentation | 5 | 0.2 | CA26, SA26 |
| Resolution of guided practical assignments | 10 | 0.4 | CA25, KA27, SA25 |
The course content will be developed through the following activities:
- Teacher lectures
- Practical classes guided by the teacher
- Independent student work based on proposals by the teacher
- Oral presentations by students
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final practical exam | 20% | 2 | 0.08 | CA25, KA25, KA26, SA25 |
| Final project: applied case study | 15% | 0 | 0 | CA26, KA27, SA27 |
| Final theoretical exam | 20% | 1 | 0.04 | CA25, KA25, KA26, SA25 |
| Oral presentation of the final project | 15% | 2 | 0.08 | CA26, KA27, SA27 |
| Practical exercises developed at home | 30% | 0 | 0 | CA25, SA26 |
Assessment requirements
The final grade for the course will be obtained from practical exercises carried out in class and at home (30% of the final grade), a final group project (15%) and its oral presentation (15%), and a final theoretical (20%) and practical (20%) exam.
If the final mark is below 5, the student has another opportunity to pass the subject through a retake exam on the date set by the degree coordination. In this exam, the theoretical exam and/or the practical exam can be retaken. Practical exercises and the course project are not eligible for retake.
Students will receive a grade of "Not Assessable" (No avaluable) if they fail to submit more than 30% of the assessment activities.
Single assessment
This module does not offer a single assessment option, in agreement with the degree coordination and the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Science.
Plagiarism and irregularities
If a student commits any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade of an assessment activity, that activity will be awarded a grade of 0, regardless of any disciplinary process that may be initiated. If multiple irregularities occur in assessment activities within the same subject, the final grade for that subject will be 0. Assessment activities in which irregularities have occurred cannot be retaken.
Use of AI
In this subject, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as literature searches or information retrieval. Students must clearly identify which parts were generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools influenced the process and final outcome of the activity. A lack of transparency in using AI in an assessable activity will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a partial or total penalty on the activity's grade, or severe sanctions in serious cases.
Bibliography
Bonham-Carter, Graeme F. (1994) Geographic information systems for geoscientists modelling with GIS, Pergamon. Kidlington. 398 p.
- Print version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991004037879706709
- Online version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991000595329706709
Bolstad, P., & Manson, S. (2022). GIS Fundamentals: A First Text on Geographic Information Systems (7th ed.). Eider Press.
- Print version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/tidafd/alma991011179896306709
Burrough, Peter. A. & Lloyd, Christopher D. & McDonnell, Rachael. (2015). Principles of geographical information systems. (3rd ed.) Oxford University Press.
- Print version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991008532029706709
Campbell, J., & Shin, M. (2022). Essentials of Geographic Information Systems. Saylor Academy / Open Textbook Library. v3.0
- Available online at: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/67
Laurini, Robert; Tompson, Derek (1992) Fundamentals of Spatial Information Systems. Academic Press. London. 680 p.
- Print version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991000193769706709
Longley, Paul A.; Goodchild, Michael F.; Maguire, David J.; Rhind, David W. (2015) Geographic Information Science and Systems (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
- Print version available at the UAB library: https://bibcercador.uab.cat/permalink/34CSUC_UAB/1eqfv2p/alma991009774269706709
Olaya, Víctor (2020). Sistemas de Información Geográfica.
- Available online at: https://volaya.github.io/libro-sig/
- Available for PDF download at: https://github.com/volaya/libro-sig/releases/download/v3.0/Sistemas.de.Informacion.Geografica.pdf
Software
Various GIS software programs will be used during the course, mainly ArcGIS Pro and MiraMon.
If you cannot or prefer not to install the GIS software on your personal computer (for example, if you use Mac, Linux, or lack a suitable device), you can access it remotely through the UAB Virtual Campus computers at:
https://sidciencies.uab.cat/sidcib/#acces_remot_aules
Select: PC1D x Windows or PC4 x Lynux
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TEm) Theory (master) | 1 | English | first semester | afternoon |
| (PAULm) Classroom practices (master) | 1 | English | first semester | afternoon |