Geographic Information Systems applied to Natural Sciences

Code:

EGEO/AMB4001

Acronym:

EGEO/AMB4001

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Surveying Engineering
OFICIAL	Environment

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Environmental Sciences and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CTA	10	Study plan since 2024/2025.	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

 Understanding what GIS is and what it can be used for. Learn the basic aspects related to the GIS.

 

Learning outcomes and competences

 

Became familiar with the general operations and applications of GIS and data models (raster and vector data).

 

Demonstration of several analyses performed in GIS.

Several applications to the natural sciences area.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic concepts of geographical information and informatics.

Program

 

 

1. Principles and fundaments of GIS.
2.  Vector data: data acquisition, data organisation
3.  Vector data: data analysis
4. Geographical databases.
5. Open source GIS software. Environmental applications.
6. Raster data: acquisition, analysis and data manipulation.
7. Digital Elevation Models. 3D terrain analysis. 
8. GeoStatistics principles.
9. WebGIS and GISMobile. Geomarketing.
10. GIS applications to natural sciences.

 

Mandatory literature

Cosme, A., ; Projeto em Sistemas de Informação Geográfica. , Lidel., 2011
Longley, P., Goodchild, M., Maguire, D., Rhind, D; Geographic information systems and science. , 2005
DeMers , M; Fundamentals of geographic information systems. , 2003
Matos, J. L., ; Fundamentos de Informação Geográfica, , Lidel, 2001
Victor Olaya; Sistemas de Informacion Geográfica - Libro Libre SIG, PDF author edition, http://sextante.googlecode.com/files/Libro_SIG.pdf, 2011
Michael G. Wing and Pete Bettinger ; Geographic Information Systems: Applications in Natural Resource Management 2nd Edition, Oxford, 2008. ISBN: 978-0195426106

Teaching methods and learning activities

 

The subject includes theoretical and practical classes (based on exercises in GIS software).

 

The teaching resources include the audiovisual means as well as the several GIS softwares (proprietary and open source).

 

Software

ArcGIS
QGIS

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	21,00
Trabalho laboratorial	21,00
Total:	42,00

Eligibility for exams

 

2/3 of presences. Practical performance (P) – minimum 40% (8/20).

Calculation formula of final grade

 

Final classification (F) is obtained by: F = 0.6*E + 0.4*P

E - clasification of written exam

P - assessment of the project

 

Minimum of 40% (8 in 20) in both components.

Students with classification above 80% (16 in 20) may have an extra oral exam.