NIGK17011U Spatial and Temporal Pattern Analysis

Volume 2024/2025
Education

MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor subject

Content

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the concepts, terminology and methods related to analysis of spatial and temporal patterns in digital data.

The course is composed of a mix of lectures, hands-on exercises and student presentations covering various methods for spatial and temporal patterns analysis. The main focus is on selecting and applying relevant methods, optimizing parameters and interpretating results. Students have the opportunity to work with their own dataset for part of the course. A portfolio assignment developed through the course forms the basis for an oral examination.

At the end of the course students will be able (i) to identify and describe geographical and temporal distributions, (ii) to measure the patterns formed by time series of spatial data and to statistically analyze for spatio-temporal clustering, (iii) to model spatio-temporal variation observed in digital data based on a set of explanatory variables.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

Geoinformatics, GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis, spatial statistics, local indicators of spatial autocorrelation, pattern description and analysis, spatially weighted regressions, ordinary least squares regression, advanced time series analysis.

Skills:

  • Describe and interpret spatial and temporal patterns
  • Presentation of own results and results published by others
  • Produce easily understandable maps
  • Describe advantages and disadvantages of different spatio-temporal pattern detection methods

 

Competences:

  • Understand the use of spatial metrics and time series analysis in science and society
  • Apply appropriate methods, indicators and metrics to data
  • Critically evaluate the use of spatio-temporal metrics and statistics
  • Presentation of advanced spatial and temporal analysis on simple maps
  • Critical understanding of studies using spatial statistics and time series analysis
Literature

Please see Absalon.

BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent is recommended.
Basic GIS skills (as provided by e.g., Basic Geographical Information Systems & Cartography NGEB12003U) is recommended.
The course will dominantly focus on hands-on exercises supplemented by student and teacher presentations and classroom discussions.
For the teaching plan, please see Absalon.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 171
  • Theory exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, Ongoing
Oral examination, 20 minutes.
Type of assessment details
A 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 to evaluate student knowledge and understanding of the methods taught during the course (including readings listed in the officially approved reading list).
Aid
Only certain aids allowed

The use of the written assignement (handed in prior to the exam) is allowed at the oral exam.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Identical to ordinary exam.

The student has the following options:

Is the quality of the written assignment not acceptable, the student can choose to either hand in a new or revised report.

Is the quality of the written assignment acceptable, the student can choose to either hand in a revised report or resubmit the original report from the ordinary exam.

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 outcomes