ESC-40109 - Module Specification
School of Geography, Geology and the Environment
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2024/25

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2024/25

The quantity of Earth observation data has grown enormously over the last 40 years and is now a key part of the digital data revolution in such diverse fields as geography, geology, conservation ecology and beyond. Acquiring the skills to source, evaluate and use this data critically is a key employability skill in this sector, as well as being highly transferable. You will learn to use industry-standard specialist software and cloud-based applications to plan and implement case studies using spatial data. You will also gain hands-on experience of problem solving in this sector, following steps such as scoping the task, acquiring data, analysis and offering solutions.

This module aims to develop an enhanced level of skill, knowledge and understanding of the concepts and practical application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. This module will develop key transferable skills in GIS using industry-standard software and cloud-based applications, including mapping, spatial data acquisition and analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of techniques and methods to use spatial data for biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, geographical sciences, including, but not limited to, time series analysis, mapping organism distributions and home ranges, topographic analysis.: 1,2
Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of spatial data sources with relevance to biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, geographical sciences, including, but not limited to, vegetation indices, satellite imagery, point occurrences, and digital elevation models.: 1,2
Apply an advanced level of lab skills with industry standard GIS software using spatial data and methods for problem solving and applied interventions in biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, or geographical sciences.: 1,2

Study hours

10 x 3 hour lab/field sessions, with theoretical and practical content
14 hours of guided case study development as part of preparation for portfolio
2 x 3 hour drop in sessions to provide support for case studies.
100 hours researching methods, literature as well as independent preparation, review and skill training and completion of assessments. Indicative timings:
- Independent revision of lecture material, skills, methods (30 hrs)
- Portfolio methods research (25 hrs)
- Portfolio writing (45 hrs)

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment