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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2010/2011
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Introduction To Spatial Analysis (PGGE11091)

Course Outline
School School of Geosciences College College of Science and Engineering
Course type Standard Availability Available to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken) SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits 10
Home subject area Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) Other subject area None
Course website http://www.geos.ed.ac.uk/ Taught in Gaelic? No
Course description This is an introductory course in spatial analysis, covering some of the common methods for analysis of point, line and areal data using geographic information systems and related software. Topics covered include: a background to spatial analysis in Geography; considering what is special about spatial data; spatial autocorrelation; the modifiable areal unit problem; basic geometric frameworks for describing and analysing phenomena; distance metrics; gridded space; overlay analysis; cost surfaces; suitability analysis; Boolean and continuous classifications; network spaces; shortest paths through networks; errors and uncertainty in geographical data. The course is taught by a mixture of lectures and practicals. Assessment is based in equal part on a grid analysis practical project and on examination performance.
Entry Requirements
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites None
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2010/11 Block 1 (Sem 1), Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
CentralLecture1-6 14:00 - 15:50
CentralLaboratory1-6 16:10 - 18:00
First Class Week 1, Monday, 14:00 - 18:00, Zone: Central. Lecture Theatre 2.13, Lab Room 1.26 Geography, Drummond St
Additional information Practical Session 16:00-18:00 in room 1.26 Geography, Drummond Street
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes Stationery Requirements Comments
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Introduction To Spatial Analysis1:008 sides
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 main spatial data types and geometrical frameworks with which spatial data are analysed;
-understand the assumptions and use of the more common methods for analysing point, line and areal data;
-have some practical knowledge of how one of these techniques is implemented in GIS
-have developed skills in presenting technical information about a method of analysis by oral and written means.
-locate, read and summarise relevant literature, from both traditional and electronic media, to extend your understanding of the topics;
-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.
Assessment Information
50% coursework
50% examination
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list - Bailey, T.C. and Gatrell, A.C. (1995) Interactive Spatial Data Analysis, Longman, London
- Burrough, P.A. and McDonnell, R.A. (1998) Principles of geographical information systems. Clarendon Press, Oxford
- Chrisman, N. (1997) Exploring geographic information systems. Wiley.
- DeMers, M.N. (2002) GIS modelling in raster. New York. Wiley
- Longley, P.A. and Barry, M. (eds) (2003) Advanced Spatial Analysis - The CASA book ofGIS. ESRI Press, Redlands. California
- Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J. and Rhind, D.W. (eds) (2005) Geographical Information Systems: Principles, Techniques, Management and Application (abridged edition). Wiley
- O'Sullivan, D. and D.J. Unwin (2003) Geographic Information Analysis. Wiley. New York
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
Keywords Spatial analysis, spatial data, spatial autocorrelation, network spaces, GIS
Contacts
Course organiser Dr Neil Stuart
Tel: (0131 6)50 2549
Email: N.Stuart@ed.ac.uk
Course secretary Ms Caroline Keir
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: caroline.keir@ed.ac.uk
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copyright 2011 The University of Edinburgh - 13 January 2011 6:28 am