NIGK14002U Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
MSc Programme in Agriculture
MSc Programme in Nature Management
The course comprises:
- Cartography (both in relation to paper and digital maps respectively)
- Map Comprehension and Appreciation
- Map Types (topographic, thematic, legal, historic, etc.)
- Geodata Resources (at the servers of the Institute and on the Internet)
- Digital Data Types: the vector data model (points, lines and polygons) and the raster data model (images and thematic rasters)
- Data Capture (GPS, digitizing and image georectification)
- Geodatabase build-up and editing
- Assessment of Accuracy and Quality
- Data Transformation (incl. overlay and proximity analyses)
- Recent developments within the field of GIS
- Internet-based GIS
- Map Layout and Digital Cartography
- GIS in Landscape and Urban Planning
The student will learn the basic concepts being used when
acquiring, storing, handling, and presenting geographical
information – including digital maps. The course will introduce the
basic analytical capabilities of vector/feature-based GIS. Further,
focus will be put on basic cartography and map-reading. In this way
the student will obtain the needed theoretic as well as practical
skills and competences required to work with maps – both in paper
and digital form. She/he will learn to use the achieved theoretic
knowledge when evaluating the quality of available data and
produced results. The student will practice communication with
other professionals of the geodata and GIS community.
Knowledge
• Understanding of the basics of cartography (incl. datum,
coordinate system, projection and scale).
• Comprehension of various map types (e.g. topographic, thematic)
and vector data types (point, line and polygon).
• Appreciation of how to use colour, size and symbols in a map
layout, and the essential ingredients of a map (e.g. scale bar,
north arrow, legend).
• Knowledge in methods to generate digital geodata from analogue
sources, incl. GPS and georeferencing.
• Comprehension of the geographical database, the relational
database model, and the rationale behind attribute handling.
• Knowledge of various geodata transformation methods (e.g. clip,
proximity and overlay analyses).
• Understanding of geodata accuracy and quality, along with the
concept of metadata.
• Knowledge of the applications of GIS in various scientific fields
and occupations (e.g. urban and landscape planning).
Skills
• Understand and appreciate the theoretic and methodological
background of maps.
• Discriminate between map types, and to justify the use of various
thematic and topographic datasets for given purposes.
• Search, identify and retrieve digital geographic data from
various sources, incl. knowledge of key owners/distributors of
national and local geodata.
• Select data required for a given task, and to argue for the
choices made.
• Decide which type of geographical data (point, line, polygon) to
apply in a given context, to a given phenomenon.
• Produce digital geodata ‘from scratch’ using analogue maps or
aerial photos (incl. georectification, georeferencing and
digitizing).
• Find and select methods of data analysis required for a given
task, and to argue for the choices made.
• Produce composite maps from multiple sets of digital map sources.
• Using Internet-based GIS resources of geodata and tools.
Competences
• To possess a comprehensive insight into maps in general and GIS
in specific – from map reading to creating/collecting, storing,
transforming, and presenting digital spatial data.
• To apply maps and spatial analytical results to articles, theses,
project reports etc, produced after attending the
course.
Compulsory reading:
1. Heywood, Cornelius and Carver. 2011. An introduction to
Geographical information systems (Fourth edition). Pearson/Prentice
Hall. ISBN: 978-0-273-72259-5. Can be purchased from the LIFE book
store.
2. All exercise notes.
Supplementary reading/resources:
3. Balstrøm, Jacobi og Bodum. 2006. Bogen om GIS og Geodata.
Forlaget GIS & Geodata (www.gis-geodata.dk). ISBN:
87-991446-0-3.
4. ESRI. What is ArcGIS? On-line documentation.
5. Danish metadata on-line:
http://www.geodata-info.dk/
- Category
- Hours
- Excursions
- 2
- Lectures
- 28
- Practical exercises
- 56
- Preparation
- 48
- Project work
- 72
- Total
- 206
As
an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination, 2 hours under invigilationFinal Examination
Written Exam in Lecture hall
The course has been selected for ITX exam at Peter Bangs Vej
Description of Examination: A two-hour examination consisting of written responses to short, factual questions referring to the text of all exercises and the
obligatory course texts, and one longer question referring more to the practical skills of handling a GIS project. - Exam registration requirements
Assignments have to be handed in and accepted.
The DIGIT test forms connected to the exercises (provided by the Absalon) has to be filled out and handed in.
Further, the project work has to be displayed as a public poster and accepted.- Aid
- All aids allowed
NB: If the exam is held at the ITX, the ITX will provide you a computer. Private computer, tablet or mobile phone CANNOT be brought along to the exam. Books and notes should be brought on paper or saved on a USB key.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
Written exam:
* Accepted - 50%
* Grade 12 - 90%
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NIGK14002U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- C
- Course capacity
- 30
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting department
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management
Course responsibles
- Patrik Karlsson Nyed (4-60717b7e5079777e3e7b853e747b)
Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
University of Copenhagen
Tel: + 45 3533 1832
E-mail: pakn@ign.ku.dk
Lecturers
Hans Skov-Petersen
Senior Researcher
Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
University of Copenhagen
Tel: + 45 3533 1816
E-mail: hsp@ign.ku.dk
Ole Hjort Caspersen
Senior Researcher
Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
University of Copenhagen
Tel: + 45 3533 1835
E-mail: ohc@ign.ku.dk
Lene Fischer
Senior lecturer
Dept. of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management
University of Copenhagen
Tel: + 45 4011 5084
E-mail: lfi@ign.ku.dk