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Curricular information is subject to change
This module is as a core skills module and aims to deliver the following learning outcomes:
• increased awareness of geospatial research and its techniques, methods and tools;
• acquisition of mapping and map interpretation skills;
• understand fundamental techniques of data exploration, organisation and analysis;
• develop literature search, writing and referencing skills.
Week 3 (27th Sep)
Lecture 1 Introduction to the module: map reading, understanding maps, geography at our fingertips, mapping what we see, do, and cannot see.
Lecture 2 GPS apps on mobile phones – demonstration
Week 4 (4th Oct)
Lecture 3 The evolution of mapping
Lecture 4 Map projections and transformations: Geographic coordinate systems versus projected coordinate systems, 3D versus 2D, latitude/longitude, converting from decimal degrees to decimal minutes seconds and vice versa.
Week 5 (11th Oct)
Lecture 5 Advancements in technology for mapping: remote sensing, drones, sensors, GPS and citizen science, etc.
Lecture 6 Data management and interpretation: survey answer types (multiple choice, open ended, etc.), how to analyse qualitative responses, turning qualitative into quantitative, ethics, etc.
Week 6 (18th Oct)
Lecture 7 Sampling methods and interpretation: representativeness, group size, gender, age cohorts, random/targeted, etc. Factoring sample group parameters when interpreting answers.
Lecture 8 Survey123 – signing in and demonstration and fieldwork preparation (Bring laptops if possible).
Week 7 (25th Oct)
No Lecture CARLOW FIELD TRIP (Wednesday 27th October)
Week 8 (1st Nov)
Lecture 9 Data types: quantitative versus qualitative – nominal, ordinal, etc.
Lecture 10 Basic stats: mean, max/min, standard deviation, etc.
Week 9 (8th Nov)
Lecture 11 ArcGIS Online – demonstration and application (bring laptop if possible)
Lecture 12 Ecological footprint - demonstration. Using mobile app calculate personal footprint and changing a committed parameter, calculate it again. Class discussion on results.
Week 10 (16th Nov)
Lecture 13 Cartographic choices: practicalities of map-making and data quality checks
Lecture 14 Other ways of looking at data: visual analysis versus tables and graphs, histograms, etc. Examples of available data and work through of data analysis and interpretation.
Week 11 (22nd Nov)
Lecture 15 A bit more on stats: central tendency, weighted, means, etc.
Lecture 16 Introduction to SDGs
Week 12 (29th Nov)
Lecture 17 SDG issues in the context of the field trip case study
Lecture 18 Ethical considerations: geoslavery, privacy, big brother, data protection, etc.
Student Effort Type | Hours |
---|---|
Lectures | 20 |
Tutorial | 8 |
Field Trip/External Visits | 8 |
Autonomous Student Learning | 70 |
Total | 106 |
Not applicable to this module.
Description | Timing | Component Scale | % of Final Grade | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Project: Final autonomous research project including maps, data analysis and written discussion of results. | Week 11 | n/a | Graded | No | 45 |
Fieldwork: Participation in fieldwork data collection (Carlow). | Week 7 | n/a | Pass/Fail Grade Scale | No | 10 |
Presentation: Present your group’s findings from the fieldwork day in Carlow. | Week 7 | n/a | Graded | No | 10 |
Assignment: Tutorial preparation & participation | Throughout the Trimester | n/a | Graded | No | 35 |
Resit In | Terminal Exam |
---|---|
Spring | No |
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
- Group feedback will be provided at the start of each tutorial on the performance of the class in the previous tutorial. - Timely individualised feedback will be provided via Brightspace on assignment / project submissions. - Students are welcome to meet with the module coordinator during office hours if more detailed feedback / further clarification is required.
Name | Role |
---|---|
Assoc Professor Gerald Mills | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |