Admission requirements
Required course(s):
Geographic Information Systems
Quantitative Research Methods
Description
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an integrating framework that utilizes spatial data to characterize and analyze past, present, and future patterns and behaviors of a range of environmental and social phenomena. GIS is a powerful analytical tool utilized across many disciplinary and multidisciplinary scientific fields, such as sustainability, environmental modeling, planning, political science, public health, and international development. Some common applications of GIS include, for example, predicting ecosystem change caused by climate change, land degradation caused by land cover change, modelling the spread of infectious diseases in relation to environmental and sociological indices, or examining the impact of flooding on different socioeconomic classes. All of these applications utilize spatial information as a basis for analyses, which are then further characterized by various quantitative or qualitative attributes.
As Advanced GIS assumes a solid knowledge of GIS (200-level course), the focus of A-GIS is primarily on the manipulation and analyses ‘sub-system’ of GIS. The course adapts both a conceptual and applied approach. Most of the class will focus on raster analyses and modeling, which is then integrated with appropriate vector based analyses. The class is based around two labs and a final project, each of which address an individual, coherent topic. Each lab includes a range of analytical and technical GIS related skills, which progressively increase in sophistication and are inherently cumulative. Specific spatial data types and analytical procedures will be presented via the interface of QGIS and other appropriate platforms. Students are expected to work independently and with a partner. And as A-GIS is a ‘methods’ course for three LUC BSc majors (EES, GPH, GED) the focus is on technical procedures, which are reviewed with various ad-hoc examples (e.g., environmental, health, political…). It is expected, therefore, that students provide an appropriate thematic context for each respective lab and final project that is solidly based within their major.
Course Objectives
After the course, students should be able to,
Skills:
Develop, manage, and carry out a scientifically sound GIS project,
Selection, integration, spatial analysis/modeling and visualization/communication of spatial information using GIS and spatial analytical methods,
Effectively demonstrate scientific writing related to a spatial topic within the students BSc major.
Knowledge:
Understand key terminology and concepts,
Learn to identify and translate a spatial research question into a GIS modeling problem and solution,
Recognize and critically evaluate specific spatial issues in GIScience related to research.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The typical format combines lectures on key concepts with practical applications and laboratory assignments.
Assessment Method
Two labs (data management, technical/analytical, scientific writing, format): lab 1 (20%), lab 2 (25%): 45%
Final Project (as above, and project design): 30%
Two quizzes: 20% (10% each)
Class participation: 5%
Reading list
Readings will be listed in the syllabus.
Review materials:
- Students should review and refresh their notes from the 200-level GIS course.
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. Elisa van Cleemput, e.e.a.van.cleemput@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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