Geographical Information Systems

Code:

GEOGR061

Acronym:

SIG

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Geography
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Geography

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
GEOGR	105	GEOGR - Study Plan	1	-	6	4

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

At the end of the semester it is expected that students are able to:
1. Recognize and explain the importance, applicability and multidisciplinary character of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), with particular focus on Geography research, giving practical examples.
2. Apply the operating principles of GIS to the processing of information derived from various sources and in different formats.
3. Demonstrate skills and knowledge related to the acquisition, manipulation and analysis of spatial and alphanumeric georeferenced information.
4. Structure the information and provide their graphical representation, linking it with previously Cartography acquired knowledge.
5. Reveal skills in the use of GIS tools, assuming a critical attitude towards the results of the analysis, interpretation and representation of information, necessary professional aptitudes of a geographer.

Learning outcomes and competences

This UC aims to develop the student’s knowledge and skills for applying GIS to the processing of spatial and alphanumeric information, articulating their representation with Cartography acquirements and assuming a critical attitude of results, recognizing that GIS is a fundamental tool to support the work currently required to geographers.
The first items of the program (1, 2, 3) address the operating principles of GIS (i.e. components of a GIS) and how we can gather (i.e. sources), structure (i.e. georeferencing) and handle different types of information ( i.e. models/data formats), to further focus on operations more directly linked to their exploitation/representation (item 4/5).
Finally, we discuss examples of thematic mapping aiming the development of students critical view and promote the application of GIS in their educational and professional life path (item 6).

Working method

Presencial

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

Not applicable.

Program

Mandatory literature

Burrough, P.; McDonnell, R.; Lloyd, C. ; Principles of geographical information systems, Oxford, 2015
Gaspar, J. ; Cartas e Projecções Cartográficas, Lidel, 2000
Google; Google Earth User Guide, Google, 2007 (http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/earth.google.com/pt-PT//userguide/v4/google_earth_user_guide.pdf)
Longley, P.; Goodchild, M.; Maguire, D.; Rhind, D. ; Geographical Information Systems and Science, John Wiley & Sons, 2011
Matos, J. ; Fundamentos de Informação Geográfica, Lidel, 2008
Orsby, T.; Napoleon, E.; Burke, R.; Groessl, C.; Bowden, L.; Getting to Know ArcGis desktop, ERSI Press, 2010

Comments from the literature

During classes more specific references will be indicated.

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching and learning methods applied, combine theoretical presentations, exercises in GIS (ArcGIS and Google Earth) and the analysis/discussion of studies and map examples, in order to enable students to apprehend the above mentioned skills. The contents presentation is based on PowerPoint documents made available on Moodle, on which is also inserted all the necessary data for the exercises accomplishment. These are the main component of the classes, always interleaved with theoretical aspects, so that students understand the working principles of GIS and be able to apply the analysis, manipulation and representation of geographic data. They are also presented cartographic documents, encouraging the participation of students in their critical assessment facing the knowledge acquired. The evaluation is done through a final exam.

Software

ArcGis
Google Earth Pro

keywords

Technological sciences

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	46,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Final exam.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final exam: 100%)

Examinations or Special Assignments

According FLUP evaluation rules.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

According FLUP evaluation rules.

Classification improvement

Appeal examination.