NIGK15006U Field and Methods Course in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor
subject
The aim of the course is to enable students to independently organize and carry out geographical fieldwork and to be able to analyze, evaluate, document and communicate the results of a scientific study.
The course is designed as preparation for a Master’s thesis and students will gain hands-on experience in a wide range of qualitative and quantitative methods that are considered to have broad application in both research- and industry-related fields.
The course consists of three parts: i) block N: theoretical and methodological studies, classroom teaching and preparation for fieldwork; ii) between block N and N+1: 10 days of fieldwork, iii) block N+1: processing of data, report writing and possibly additional classroom teaching.
The course is generic in the sense that the description above is taylored to a range of geographical destinations and topics that often change from one year to another. The course is taught by teachers specialised in the course topic which may be within physical geography, human geography or geoinformatics or combinations of these. Typical topics include geomorphology, GIS, remote sensing, livelihoods, climatology, land use, soil science, migration, global value chains, rural and agricultural development, urbanization and regional development.
The destinations currently planned (may be subject to change) can be viewed here:
http://ign.ku.dk/uddannelser/kursusbeskrivelser/msc-geography-field-and-methods-courses/
Knowledge:
- Design, organize, and carry out fieldwork for a scientific study and analyze, evaluate, document, and communicate the results of the study.
Skills:
- Can identify, propose and communicate suggestions for solving more complex scientific problems in relation to theoretical, methodological and empirical observations with a background in high-level geographical knowledge.
- Can critically evaluate a choice of methods as well as propose procedures aimed at investigating and assessing the accuracy and possible sources of error of a method.
- Can evaluate the suitability of a specific method for investigating a scientific problem, e.g. through use of statistical analysis of data.
- Can compile results from several, and preferentially different, methods and apply these for discussion and evaluation of the results.
Competences:
- Can use scientifically-correct language, present scientific arguments and justifications, participate in scientific discussions as well as communicate science at various levels.
- Can integrate, evaluate, discuss and put into perspective, theoretical, methodological and empirical choices, including exhibiting a reflective and critical sense for these choices together with their scientific possibilities and limitations in relationship to a specific scientific problem.
Please see Absalon course page.
Please note that prior to the formal course registration via the Self-Service the Department will arrange information meetings for students who are interested in this course.
Students shall pay for their own travel to and from the field-work area, as well as entry visa (if required), vaccinations (if required) and personal medicine (e.g.malaria medication) and 125 DKK per day for food and lodging. For outside DK destinations the students are required to take out a private illness and repatriation insurance covering the field period.
- Category
- Hours
- Preparation
- 222
- Theory exercises
- 70
- Excursions
- 120
- Total
- 412
As an exchange, guest and credit student - click here!
Continuing Education - click here!
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment, during courseOral examination, 20 minutes
- Type of assessment details
- The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
- Exam registration requirements
Approved participation in the fieldwork. If the student does not take part in the fieldwork, the student cannot take part in the exam or re-exam and will have to re-take the course on next occasion.
- Aid
- Without aids
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
- Re-exam
Re-submission of written assignment, 20 minutes oral examination. The written assignment must be handed in prior to the re-examination week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list.
Criteria for exam assesment
Please see learning outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NIGK15006U
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 2 blocks
Block 1+2 or block 3+4 (for courses in Greenland: block 4+5)
- Placement
- Block 1, Block 2, Block 3 And Block 4
- Schedule
- The course is not necessarily offered in all four blocks. Please confer the link in the course description for precise information on currently planned destinations.
- Course capacity
- No limitation – unless you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Geosciences and Management
Contracting department
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Ole Mertz (om@ign.ku.dk)