Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a comprehensive program in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), providing students with a thorough understanding of the concepts, techniques, and tools used in acquiring, storing, handling, analyzing, and visualizing geographical information.

Program Details

Description

The program introduces students to the basic concepts of GIS, including digital maps and digital techniques, with an emphasis on vector- and raster-based GIS. Students will learn about cartography, map-reading, and the analytical capabilities of GIS. The program also covers basic cartography and map-reading, enabling students to work with maps in both paper and digital form.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge:
  • Cartography (paper and digital maps)
  • Map comprehension and appreciation
  • Map types (topographic, thematic, legal, historic, etc.)
  • Geospatial data resources
  • Digital data types (vector and raster)
  • Data capture (GPS, digitizing, and image georectification)
  • Geodatabase build-up and editing
  • Assessment of accuracy and quality
  • Data transformation and analysis
  • Recent developments in GIS
  • Internet-based GIS
  • Map layout and digital cartography
• Skills:
  • Understand and appreciate the theoretical and methodological background of maps
  • Discriminate between map types and justify the use of various thematic and topographic datasets
  • Search, identify, and retrieve digital geographic data from various sources
  • Select data required for a given task and argue for the choices made
  • Decide which type of geographical data to apply in a given context
  • Produce digital geospatial data from scratch using analogue maps and aerial photos
  • Find and select methods of data analysis required for a given task
  • Produce composite maps from multiple sets of digital map sources
• Competences:
  • Possess a comprehensive insight into maps and GIS
  • Apply maps and spatial analytical results to various projects and reports
  • Plan, prepare, and carry out project work with colleagues and external partners

Literature

The course literature is available on the university's learning platform.

Recommended Academic Qualifications

There are no specific formal requirements, but comprehensive knowledge of IT, including good practical skills in catalogue organization, is recommended, as well as some basic understanding of math and statistics. Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are recommended.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The program consists of lectures, exercises, and an analytical project work. Exercises take place in the digital student computer lab.

Workload

• Lectures: 23 hours
• Preparation: 100 hours
• Practical exercises: 79 hours
• Guidance: 1 hour
• Exam: 3 hours
• Total: 206 hours

Feedback

Feedback is provided in written and oral forms, both individually and collectively, relating to the compulsory outputs from practical exercises and the group project.

Exam

The exam is an on-site written exam, 4 hours under invigilation, consisting of two parts: shorter factual questions and a longer question referring to practical skills in handling a GIS project.

Examination Prerequisites

Assignments must be handed in and accepted, and the digital test forms connected to the exercises must be completed. The project work must be displayed as a web-based StoryMap and be accepted.

Aid

All aids are allowed except Generative AI and internet access.

Marking Scale

The marking scale is a 7-point grading scale.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: NIGK14002U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 3
• Schedule: C
• Course capacity: 75

Study Board

The study board is the Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science.

Contracting Department

The contracting department is the Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management.

Contracting Faculty

The contracting faculty is the Faculty of Science.

Course Coordinators

The course coordinators are listed, but their contact information has been removed for this publication.

Lecturers

The lecturers are listed, but their contact information has been removed for this publication.