Course Catalogue

GIS A:Applied Spatial Analysis GEOG4111

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course builds on the core course coverage of GIS to enhance your skills in analysing spatial data to solve geographical problems. As well as examining tools and process for spatial analysis, it develops skills in the use of ArcGIS, the leading commercial GIS.

 

Lectures from this course are combined with that of Principles of GIS (GEOG5019).

Timetable

1 hours of lectures weekly for 5 weeks.

2 hours of practical sessions each week.

 

Generally, all classes are on one day of the week during the second half of Semester 1. If numbers are large an additional practical session may be run on a different day.

Requirements of Entry

Students should have completed Level 2 Geography at minimum of grade D3 or have equivalent experience of GIS.

Excluded Courses

None.

Co-requisites

Geographical Techniques (GEOG4015) and Research Skills (GEOG4025)/ Joint Research Skills (GEOG4019), or similar experience in GIS.

Assessment

Practical assessment and report - 40%

Written exam - 60%

Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

The aims of the course are:

■ To extend knowledge in the use of GIS for spatial analysis, including criteria based modelling, terrain analysis and network analysis;

■ To introduce and develop practical skills in using a commercial system.

■ To explain vector data structures and concepts, including point, line and polygon entities, attributes and topology

■ To explain raster data structures and concepts

■ To introduce several well-known GIS analytical tools

■ To introduce several applications of GIS

■ To explain how to design an efficient geospatial database

■ To build confidence in the use of one particular GIS package - ArcGIS

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Explain the principles of GIS and its operation;

■ Describe and compare raster and vector data models and assess their use in different situations;

■ Explain the need for co-ordinate references systems in GIS;

■ Describe the process of georeferencing;

■ Explain a range of spatial analysis operations in GIS;

■ Discuss how GIS can be used to inform and/or solve a range of geographical problems;

■ Use one specific commercial GIS to carry out spatial analysis tasks;

■ Design effective maps using GIS.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions