GEOG40770 GIS for Environmental Assessment

Academic Year 2022/2023

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow the acquisition, storage, analysis and visualisation of location-based data. GIS are increasingly applied in research and practice across a wide range of disciplines and sectors including environmental assessment and planning. As such, GIS skills are valuable, transferable and highly sought after.

This module will introduce students to ArcGIS, the most widely used GIS software package. It will enable students developing an understanding of conceptual, theoretical and practical geographical considerations and, most importantly, gaining practical GIS skills for their use and application. These skills will cover spatial data creation, sourcing, management, mapping and geoprocessing.

The module is largely delivered through hands-on computer lab-based practicals, complemented with lectures that will cover theory and analytical themes that GIS are designed to handle. The practicals will focus on the analysis, visualisation and interpretation of spatial data to support environmental assessments, using demonstrative examples and problem-solving exercises. A significant part of the learning will be self-directed, allowing students to develop their skills and spatial awareness through the design and delivery of a spatial analysis project, within the framework of environmental impact assessment.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module the student will have:

- Theoretical and practical knowledge of GIS applications, spatial data sources and data management issues;
- Working competence of the ArcGIS software package;
- Ability to demonstrate the application of GIS tools to environmental assessment and sustainable planning;
- Spatial awareness for data intepretation; and
- An understanding of the relationship between spatial analysis and report writing.

Indicative Module Content:

ArcGIS interfaces; Adding data; Layer properties; Projections and transformations; Creating and editing shapefiles.
Attribute tables - Creating and managing fields; Geometry calculations; Symbology; Transparency.
Geodatabases. Data types and organising data; Relationships between objects.
GPS and Mobile Apps.
Accessing online data.
Spatial analysis with ArcToolbox: Merge, buffer, clip, erase, intersect, spatial join.
Map layouts: Components; Exporting images.
Working with raster datasets: Spatial analyst tools.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

80
Lectures

12
Computer Aided Lab

12
Total

104
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:

The module is largely delivered in a computer lab through hands-on demonstrative and problem-solving exercises. A limited number of lectures will deliver the theory and introduce concepts, terminology and applications.

Students will be guided through the practicals but will self-direct their learning by applying GIS to a tailored environmental impact assessment. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

None

Learning Recommendations:

Basic file management knowledge
IT skills


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
GEOG40820 - Introduction to ArcGIS, GEOG40850 - GIS for Environ Investigations, GEOG41020 - Applied GIS


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Critical review of GIS paper Week 3 n/a Graded No

20
Class Test: Lab-based practical test Week 12 n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Application of GIS to environmental impact assessment Unspecified n/a Graded No

50

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback will be provided via Brightspace post-assessment. This will be complemented with in-class feedback.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Ainhoa Gonzalez Del Campo Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Gerald Mills Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tine Ningal Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr David O'Mahony Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 Wed 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn