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.

At the end of the second semester, a two page project description must be submitted and approved before the student gets a supervisor. A master's thesis preparation seminar will help the student to produce the two page project description.

A supervisor will be appointed by the programme director. Supervision is a crucial component in the preparation of the thesis. The supervisor is to assist the student when he or she is acquiring the necessary and relevant knowledge, as well as, when collecting and analysing data. The supervisor must ensure that the student-s research activity comply with accepted ethical standards within social research, including standards defined by the Norwegian Data Protection Official and the National Committees for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities

Every student is entitled to approximately 10 hours of face-to-face consultation, individually or in groups, or the equivalent if part of the supervision is conducted via email.

An agreement between the student and the supervisor must be signed by both parties to ensure that rights and obligations are understood. The student and the supervisor may request a substitute if either party fails to meet the obligations outlined in the agreement.

The research work (analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data or a literature review) is conducted during the fourth semester. Norwegian students are encouraged to carry out their data collection abroad. International students often collect their data in their home countries.

Emnet er en innføring i og kvalifisering for profesjonsutøvelse gjennom praksis i informasjons- og kommunikasjonsarbeid i offentlig og privat sektor.

Informasjon og kommunikasjon i praksis er et valgfritt emne i 5. semester.

The main purpose of this course is for the student to gain research experience through pedagogical interaction with a professional researcher or faculty. As a research assistant, the student will perform a defined and limited research task under supervision. Equally, a group of students can perform a defined and limited research task in collaboration and deliver a joint scientific outcome, while submitting individual reports. Through empirical studies and theoretical reflection, the students gain insight and skills, enabling them to undertake research tasks of a scientific standard.

The student will be participating in a project on a relevant research topic as a;research assistant at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA).;

Call for research assistant must be given by Qualified supervisors at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA). The supervisor decides who will be the research assistants, based on the student's application and previous qualifications. A call for assistants will normally be published at the OsloMet homepage before July 31st. Students can motivate potential supervisors to call for research assistants of this kind.

Lab assignments must be handed in on Canvas

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

Kunnskaper

Studenten

• kjenner informasjons- og kommunikasjonsmedarbeiderens plassering og oppgaver i en organisasjon
• kjenner de sentrale prinsippene for hensiktsmessig tilrettelegging av informasjon og kommunikasjon til ulike formål, i offentlig og privat sektor

Ferdigheter

Studenten

• mestrer både muntlig og skriftlig formidling og presentasjonsteknikk og kan opptre profesjonelt i ulike mediekanaler
• kan vurdere informasjons- og kommunikasjonsstrategier internt og eksternt i lys av de utfordringene som organisasjoner møter i ulike sammenhenger, herunder kriser
• kan organisere, opptre profesjonelt i mediesammenheng og både lage skriftlig informasjon og kommunisere denne i ulike formater og mediekanaler

Generell kompetanse

Studenten

• har innsikt i relevante fag- og yrkesetiske problemstillinger i arbeidslivet og for effektiv profesjonsutøvelse
• kan profilere egen kompetanse muntlig og skriftlig i ulike mediekanaler for å kunne bidra til utvikling av god praksis og godt samarbeid med arbeidslivet

Emnet strekker seg over ett semester, og er i hovedsak lagt opp med forelesninger, selvstyrte kollokviegrupper, oppgaveløsninger, fremføringer av arbeidskrav i grupper/plenum, selvstudium av pensum og en obligatorisk praksisperiode på fire uker (normalt uke 39-42). Det gis opplæring i å søke praksisplass blant instituttets kontakter. Praksisstedet skal godkjennes og kvalitetssikres av emneansvarlig.

The student submits a thesis that investigates a research question using one or several relevant research methodologies.

All other courses within the master's degree must be passed before submitting the master's thesis.

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has advanced knowledge of

• research designs relevant to the investigation of a particular research question
• a particular area of social or health policy of relevance to their degree
• relevant research literature on the subject matter of the master-s thesis
• theories and methodological approaches relevant for the chosen subject matter
• basic conceptual tools needed to understand an critically examine relevant social or health research

Skills

The student can

• conduct a review of the state of scientific knowledge related to a research question in social and health policy
• conduct a limited, independent research project under supervision
• choose a methodology that is relevant for a specific health and social welfare research question
• apply research methods in a reflective manner
• critically evaluate relevant quantitative or qualitative methods used in reports, books or articles investigating a particular social welfare or health policy problem

General Competence

The student can

• read and critically assess academic literature
• present specialised knowledge and research findings in the form of academic writing
• apply advanced skills and knowledge in the field of social welfare and health policy
• evaluate issues related to the academic, professional and research ethics