SDMM12008U Geo Information in Disaster Situations
The course is focused on providing insight into various tools available in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for situation mapping. Focus is given to understand the concept of GIS and its integration in disaster situations. A central part of the course is a case example, which involves collecting information and GIS data from web sources, as well as preparing, analyzing and creating situation maps for a disaster prone city. Hands-on experience with the field data collection tools like GPS and PDA will also be part of the course. The students will work with the case example throughout the course.
At the end of the course the students must be able to:
Knowledge
- Understand the role of geo-information in the response phase of a disaster
Skills
- Collect various disaster related information including GIS
- Use basic GIS tools to prepare situation maps
Competences
- Do a preliminary damage assessment after a disaster based on the available spatial information
- Collect GIS information from web and prepare, analyse and produce maps for a disaster situation
Literature list is available in Absalon.
All participants who successfully pass the course/exam will be awarded a separate course completion certificate.
The course takes place at the Geography Section (Science Campus), University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 30
- Preparation
- 16
- Theory exercises
- 30
- Practical exercises
- 30
- Exam
- 32
- Total
- 138
Joint oral feedback is given by a panel after the group presentation.
Apply online via MDMa - GIS course
This course is open to external participants who fulfill the MDMa Admission criteria.
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment
- Type of assessment details
- Written assignment consists of 3-4 map deliverables with
detailed legend and elements, in which the students demonstrate
their GIS skills for situation mapping on a given case. Each group
will submit a 5 page summary report, and will include the
individual/group map deliverables.
Further, each group will do an oral presentation to a panel of experts, with reflections around issues regarding the mapping process. Map deliverables and oral presentation are done in a group with a clear stipulation identifying the contributions made by each group member. - Aid
- All aids allowed
The use chatbots and/or similar tools is not allowed in and for exams.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
- Exam period
See the MDMa Exam Schedule
- Re-exam
The exam form for the reexam is the same as the ordinary exam. See dates in the MDMa Exam Schedule
Criteria for exam assesment
To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:
Knowledge
- Understand the role of Geo information in the response phase of a disaster
Skills
- Collect various disaster related information including GIS
- Use basic GIS tools to prepare situation maps
Competences
- Do a preliminary damage assessment after a disaster based on the available spatial information
- Collect GIS information from web and prepare, analyse and produce maps for a disaster situation
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- SDMM12008U
- Credit
- 5 ECTS
- Level
- Part Time MasterFull Degree Master choice
- Duration
- Three weeks in Copenhagen (KU-Geography)
- Placement
- Spring
- Schedule
- Full time lectures and practical exercises in the GIS lab. The course includes a few days of individual or group study.
5 - 23 May 2025 - Course capacity
- 8-20 participants
Study board
- Study Board for the Professionel Master´s Degree Programmes at The Faculty og Health and Medical Science
Contracting department
- Department of Public Health
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Course Coordinators
- Emmanuel Raju (eraju@sund.ku.dk)