GV2GEO: Geographical Information Systems

Module code: GV2GEO

Module provider: Geography and Environmental Science; School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Dr Jess Neumann, email: j.l.neumann@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Rob Fry, email: r.j.fry@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 20 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The module introduces students to the principles, techniques and applications of Geographical Information Systems (GIS).  

The focus of the content delivery is predominantly ‘hands-on’, based on a series of practical sessions introducing students to computer-based tasks including working with different types of spatial data and their storage and management, setting coordinate systems and projections, spatial analysis and geoprocessing, creating and editing data, and cartography and symbology. Some sessions will include short lectures and demonstrations of key geoprocessing tools.  

Students are also expected to engage in additional learning opportunities where they are offered such as GIS webinars, guest speakers and field-based learning.  

In Semester 2 students will complete a real-world problem-based “Suitability Analysis” project using spatial data, based on set criteria and aligning to relevant policies and guidelines.   

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Obtain spatial datasets and digital mapping information (e.g. aerial imagery, topographic basemaps, geology and landcover maps, landscape feature data, primary data) from relevant sources.   
2. Create and edit new spatial data within a GIS and apply appropriate geoprocessing processes and spatial queries to data to problem solve.   
3. Produce GIS maps to a professional, publishable standard 
4. Understand the relevance of GIS skills in research, policy and practice and the importance of GIS skills for a range of careers in geographical / environmental disciplines. 

Module content

During the first semester, a series of step-by-step practicals based on the Reading University Campus will be undertaken. These introduce students to the basic functions and tools within a GIS.  This will include data types and data input; data display and 'on-screen' digitising; coordinate systems; geoprocessing; spatial analysis, symbology, labelling and map composition and design. Students will also collect their own primary data to add to this project.  

In the second semester, students develop their new GIS skills further, by working on a spatial analysis project. The choice of topic varies but recent examples include: suitability analysis to identify potential sites for new housing developments / new woodland planting for flood risk mitigation / siting wind farms for renewable energy generation.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The approach is practical and 'hands-on' with most of the teaching and learning taking place in computer labs. Students will beencouraged to consolidate techniques learnt during practical sessions in their own time on their own personal computers or on-campus. Additional support sessions and drop-ins are arranged throughout the semesters. Interactive student support tools, such as a support forum help to support a knowledge base of FAQs.  

Study hours

At least 52 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Self-evaluation in class with lecturer support, using the assessment criteria and exemplars to clarify understanding of the assessment. Students will participate in 2 whole-class marking exercises where they will use the marking rubric to mark past examples of submissions. A broad range of past submissions will be marked to differentiate between grade boundaries and provide students with a better understanding of the standard required.  

Reassessment

Additional costs