Geoinformatics (P01227)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : GEO-P-GISGINF

The course will provide an introduction to the theory and practical application of spatial models of complex systems, considering their role and application within GIS. An emphasis will be put on the study of Cellular Automata and Agent Based Models, which are useful and novel tools to study complex systems in a spatially explicit way.
Case studies will be used to illustrate these approaches and to demonstrate shared principles and practices over a variety of fields, with a more specific focus on spatial land use and environmental systems. The links between models and GIS within the context of data structures, spatial analysis, and visualisation will be stressed. Practical and individual project work will focus on the requirements for the design and implementation of cellular automata and agent based models.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Spatial Modelling

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences), (School of GeoSciences, Schedule N)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Block 3 only

? Contact Teaching Time : 4 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
14/01/2009	11:00	13:00	Room 1.26, Old Infirmary (Geography)	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Wednesday	11:10	13:00	Central
Laboratory	Wednesday	14:00	17:00	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students should have achieved and demonstrated, or be able to achieve and demonstrate, the ability to:
-understand the principle methods by which spatial information is currently represented
-recognise the limitations of languages and data models for representing geographic information
-think creatively about representing geographic information
-locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topic
-develop reasoned arguments, firmly grounded in the available literature
-plan and write assignments, within the specified parameters and to a professional standard
-take responsibility for your own learning through reading and the preparation of assignments, and reflect upon your learning experience