GIS for Professionals
| Module title | GIS for Professionals |
|---|---|
| Module code | GEO3239 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Damien Mansell (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provides the ability to analyse data spatially leading to better understanding of what is happening in different places informing decisions across all sectors of research, business, government, education, entertainment and leisure. This module develops your understanding of GIS by using spatial data to discover solutions to real world applications. You will not just be developing GIS skills but also discovering the numerous opportunities for a career in GIS. Discovery and learning will develop from click and point operations, to developing workflows, models, scripting GIS and an understanding of automation.
This is a core module for all incoming students on the GIS MSc.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Learning in this module is largely through directed and supported enquiry-led computer exercises. Exercises will be developed from research expertise in Geography as well as those developed in collaboration with external partners including Esri from real-world applications. Esri is the world leading GIS provider in industry and business. You will have access to the latest software and run computer exercises in ArcPro, ArcGIS online, Q-GIS and python environments. Delivered content will introduce key concepts and techniques and will develop GIS skills and management such as:
- Cartography.
- Web GIS: Responsible mapping
- Introduction to GIS automation
- Decision making with GIS: Applications
You will also develop skills appropriate for careers in GIS:
- Data management.
- Data sharing, publishing and collaboration.
- Data visualisation.
- Management of a web GIS including access, permissions and data sensitivity.
This module aims not just to develop your GIS skills and opportunities for employment, but also attributes required in the professional workplace including:
- Presentation skills (in particular a group work component which includes a sales pitch presentation and pre-recorded video demonstration).
- Communication skills (in terms of online and public presentations, writing, cartographic design and visualisations).
- Critical-thinking and problem-solving (linking theories in lectures to applications in order to understand the characteristics of data distributions).
- Confidence (enabling you to reach reasonable conclusions from your analysis).
- The ability to work collaboratively in groups and online (through sales pitch presentation and collaboration and crowd-sourced mapping exercises).
- Developing awareness of sustainability, cultural, economic and health related views in other parts of the world with a desire to further the common good (utilising datasets from around the world).
Assessment is designed to incorporate and develop these attributes as well as provide you with the opportunity to showcase your work. You will be able (and encouraged) to showcase assessments online to increase your web presence and offer examples of your work for employers to review.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Develop an understanding of the application of GIS, evaluate and synthesise data from a range of sources
- 2. Use geospatial tools to infer insights and support decision making in different sectors such as environment, politics, management or sustainability
- 3. Apply cartographic principles to produce effective maps and visualisations
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Critically evaluate, interpret and combine different types of geographical data
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Showcase your understanding and application of GIS though formulating and evaluate questions, identifying and evaluate approaches to problem-solving
- 6. Justify your responsibility as a local, national and international citizen with a global perspective
- 7. Work in groups and teams to deliver outputs whilst recognising and respect the viewpoints of others.
Syllabus plan
The content of this module will incorporate some or all of the following topics:
- Recap on fundamentals of GIS
- Special purpose maps and choropleth classification schemes.
- Coordinate reference systems and projections
- Summarising characteristics of spatial distributions to identify patterns
- Introduction to web GIS
- GIS visualisations and cartographic design
- Introduction to open-source spatial analysis including Q-GIS
- Introduction to GIS scripting using Python scripting language
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 124 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 8 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 18 | Computer practical |
| Guided Independent Study | 4 | Exeter-based field app exercise |
| Guided Independent Study | 6 | Concepts and applications introduced through video content |
| Guided Independent Study | 18 | Completion of computer practical exercises |
| Guided Independent Study | 24 | Weekly completion of tasks and activities listed on ELE |
| Guided Independent Study | 27 | Independent reading and investigation |
| Guided Independent Study | 15 | Preparation and collaboration exercises for group summative assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | 30 | Writing and publishing story map |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer practical outputs | 2-hour practicals | 1-7 | Throughout the course orally through staff and peer evaluation |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Story Map including group sales pitch element | 100 | 2500 words plus map outputs | 1-7 | Rubric and written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Story Map including group sales pitch element | Story Map including weekly map outputs, wider applications and critical evaluation (independent) (2500 words plus map outputs, 100%) | 1-7 | Referral/Deferral Period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
The following texts are useful indicative reading:
- Albrecht, J. (2007) Key concepts and techniques in GIS, Los Angeles, London Sage. [electronic resource] http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2536082~S6
- Burrough, PA, McDonnell, R, (1998) Principles of geographical information systems. Oxford University Press, Oxford. http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b1680207~S6
- ESRI Newroom Blog page https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/blog/ [last accessed 15/09/2017]
- Esri Where Next? Blog page https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/publications/wherenext/ [last accessed 15/09/2017]
- Esri, The Language of Spatial Analysis http://www.esri.com/library/books/the-language-of-spatial-analysis.pdf
- Heywood, I., S. Cornelius, S. Carver (2006), An introduction to geographical information systems, 3rd Edition, Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall. [Electronic resource] http://lib.exeter.ac.uk/record=b2456793~S6
- Mitchell, A. 2001. The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 1: Geographic Patterns and Relationships. Redlands, CA: Esri Press.
- Mitchell, A. 2005. The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 2: Spatial Measurements and Statistics. Redlands, CA: Esri Press.
- Mitchell, A. 2012. The Esri Guide to GIS Analysis, Volume 3: Modeling Suitability, Movement, and Interaction. Redlands, CA: Esri Press.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | GEO2333 Applied GIS: Mapping with Technology or GEO2320 Applied GIS for Physical Geographers. Otherwise, sufficient skills and knowledge in file management and GIS as proven via discussion with the convenor. |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 25/07/2017 |
| Last revision date | 24/02/2025 |
