SMUA4600 Geographical Information Systems Emneplan

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a system of hardware, software, and procedures designed to support the capture, management, manipulation, analysis, modeling and display of spatially referenced data for solving complex planning and management problems. GIS applications use both spatial information (maps) and databases to perform analytical studies.

This course, including both lectures and practices, will cover the fundamental theories and methods of GIS. A series of seminars will enable the students to make practical use of GIS with hands-on experience.

In this course, the students will learn to edit, organize and manipulate spatial data in meaningful ways to solve spatial problems, using ESRI ArcGIS software and different open-source alternatives (QGIS and R).

GIS technology has broad applications in natural and social sciences, humanities, environmental studies, engineering, and management. Examples include: Urban and Regional Planning, Community and Economic Planning and Development, Housing Studies, Transit and Transportation Issues, Land Use, Historic and Archeological Studies, Agriculture and Forestry, Wildlife Habitat Study, Crime Analysis and Policing, Emergency Management and Public Works Utilities, Census and Demographic Studies, Public Health, Contagious Disease Monitoring, and Business uses including Marketing and Advertising. This course will introduce a few selected cases of GIS application in different disciplines.

Type of assessment:

1) Pitch presentation on the selected project of 20min delivered in groups of 2-5 students, weighted 30 %

2) Project report collaboratively prepared by the same group as in 1), approx. 20-30 pages, weighted 40 %.

3) Individual oral exam of about 20min, weighted 30%.

Individual pitch presentation or project report are not accepted. To pass the course, a minimum grade of E is required in all assessment parts (1), (2) and (3). Only the project report grade (2) can be appealed. In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral examination may be used instead. If oral exams are used for resit and rescheduled exams, the result cannot be appealed.

Upon completing the course, the student should have the following outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence.

Knowledge:

Upon successfully completion of the course, the student has gained sufficient knowledge to:

• describe the components of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• explain GIS data structures and models, including vector and raster data
• quantify and analyze the spatial distribution of phenomena and provide meaningful analysis of spatial attributes.

Skills:

Upon successfully completion of the course, the student can:

• conduct GIS analysis by combining different spatial data operations such as distance calculation, overlay and buffer;analysis, to address geospatial problems and/or research questions
• demonstrate proficiency in the use of GIS tools to create maps that are fit-for-purpose and;effectively convey the information they are intended to.;
• implement advanced GIS functions or analyses by programming with Python (ArcGIS) or R (QGIS).

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General competence:

Upon successfully completion of the course, the student is able to:

• critically evaluate available sources for data in a GIS
• reflect on the spatial impact of decision-making and on the potential for using large spatial datasets for in-depth multi-faceted analytics
• demonstrate confidence in undertaking new (unfamiliar) analysis using;GIS,;troubleshoot;problems;in GIS, and seek help from software/website help menus and the GIS community to;solve problems
• communicate results in a powerful and effective way.

In this course, we'll explore how buildings is similar to living organisms, experiencing, during its lifespan, aging and environmental and anthropological deterioration problems. This course explores the principles and practices relating to rehabilitation work in the built environment. It will provide technical guidelines to students on methodology of site inspections, evaluation of existing buildings, causes and agents of deterioration, measurement and monitoring techniques, identification of the actual defects, repair methodology and materials for rehabilitations. The context of building technology, standards, evolving building techniques, planning and implementation, information technology, procurement cost, climate resilience and designing an energy rehabilitation of existing buildings will be explored.

One written group project assignment must be approved.

Students who fail to meet the coursework requirements can be given up to one re-submission opportunity.

Portfolio assessment:

-Perform an individual GIS- analysis from a chosen urban area

-Individual in-depth report, approx. 10-15 pages

-Visual;presentation with a poster

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Each student's work will be assessed together as a portfolio with one individual grade at the end of the semester, but all three parts that make up the portfolio must be assessed as 'pass' in order for the student to pass the course. The overall assessment can be appealed.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student should have knowledge of:

• challenges facing the built environment
• causes, agents of deterioration and the impact of repair materials on the overall performance of the building
• standards, inspection techniques and rehabilitation practices
• environmental impact assessments and sustainable practices in rehabilitation.

Skills

The student is able to:

• define rehabilitation measures and plan
• select repair materials
• develop cost estimates and budgets for the rehabilitation plan
• maximize returns on investment in the field of building's rehabilitation
• apply in-depth knowledge to a case study

General Competence:

The student can:

• conduct thorough market research, or literature to gather data and information
• write clear, detailed, and technically sound reports outlining the rehabilitation plan
• work effectively in a team and skillfully deliver a compelling pitch.

A combination of lectures (digital and physical), individual study and project work. The project will be defined by the student based on real world case study on the rehabilitation in the built environement. Collaboration with either a Norwegian or international company is encouraged,adding a real-world dimension to the project. It could also involve reviweing, analysing and evaluating previous rehabilitation projects to suggest improvements or more sustainable and cost-effective approaches.

The following coursework requirement should be completed and approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Deliver the title of the project and an abstract of 250 words