Kursöversikt

Välkommen till NGN180 Geografiska informationssystem (GIS), 7,5 hp, sommar 2020

Welcome to NGN180 Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 7.5 credits, Summer 2020

Fig 1. Gothenburg area. MapArt done in QGIS using QuickMapServices - plugin (Stamen watercolour map and Aster 30m hillshade). AWalther2020

Kick-off 8 June 11:00 at https://gu-se.zoom.us/my/alexandergis (recorded version linked under modules or here)

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Note! Only in case you are re-registered from the summer course and have already submitted assignments there, please continue on the other course page.

Course structure

1. Online The course is entirely online. You find all material under modules / assignments and files. 

2. Book Choose a course book, either the Swedish or the English one (see further down on the page). It will give you all necessary theory for this course and far beyond. The English book is available as e-book. The Swedish book is an excellent standard GIS book for long-term use.

3. Material Watch the introduction we recorded upon course start, read the announcements and watch the other online lectures. At least nr 2 and 3, because they give you good start help! Otherwise the book contains all topics we work with (e g raster data, vector data, the tools used). Most important is that you understand what you are doing - eventually. Read creatively from different sources to learn and understand the different GIS parts. 

4. Hands-on work
You have to go through 9 exercises and 4+1 tasks individually. Go to assignments where you are linked to the instructions/data for each exercises (also everything available under Files). You go through the instructions and eventually have a result to hand in in the assignments section. Then you get feedback and are finished with this assignment o you have to adjust a bit until you are finished. This is how you learn GIS. Problem solving, getting stuck, find a way out (with or without external help) and improving your skills.
Order The material is designed in a way that you ideally start with Exercise 1 and finish with Task 4. Of course you could cross work with the material but later exercises refer to knowledge from earlier ones and the task need the preknowledge from the exercises.
Method reports For the tasks a short method report is required (you will see that in the descriptions). You will solve a problem and just have to document briefly and logically how you did that (which steps and tools you used to come to the final result). The weight is on logical and reasonable workflow. Typically 1 page, not more.

5. Help Use the discussion forum when you have general questions regarding the exercises/tasks or mail us in case the question does not fit into the forum. As encouraged in the introduction think flexible, try to understand the exercise/task and find a way to solve (try yourself first, but don't hesitate to ask when needed! Very good online resources: https://docs.qgis.org/3.10/en/docs/user_manual/ (official documentation for different versions) and http://qgistutorials.com. 

6. Software  After installing qgis.org for your platform you start working with the exercises. Works with Mac OS, Windows and Linux. NOT Chromebook though.

7. Deadlines Try to keep a steady pace. 50% would mean you finish 2-3 assignments a week. You can also work faster. Keeping inside the course dates is the goal. Otherwise not strict deadline for each exercise, keep working and don't postpone. In case of late submission - you will get later grade, no punishment. We assume that you do the best you can.

8. Exam & grades The written online exam takes place in the last course week. Reserve the dates 26-28 August. The exam is online and you need internet access. The exact structure is not decided upon yet, it may be that 1-2 days is enough. Also, most of you may not need the entire period to answer all questions.
You can receive U/G/VG (not passed/passed(60%)/excellent(80%)) for the exam and the course, exam decides the final grade because exercises and task just yield G but all have to be handed in. Credit-wise the division is 2 (exercises) + 2 (tasks) + 3.5 (theory/exam) = 7.5. But as you will understand, exam depends also a lot on the other parts when it comes to knowledge.

9. CANVAS. Places to check are: (1) first page (info), (2) Modules (links to lectures), (3) Assignments (links to assignments and hand-in), (4) Files (all material sorted there). And later on (5) Quiz (exam).

10. Fun Warm welcome to the course again and have fun with GIS now. Test and play around a lot and look forward to making the most beautiful maps in the end.

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Literature suggestions
Swedish
Harrie, L. (2019). Geografisk informationsbehandling: Teori, metoder och tillämpningar. Studentlitteratur, Lund. ISBN 9789144131740 (7th ed.) (ISBN 9789144088778, 6th ed. also ok).

2) McHaffie et al. 2018. GIS. An introduction to mapping technologies. Taylor and Francis. eBook ISBN9780429441028. Fulltext online (even PDF download):
 https://doi-org.ezproxy.ub.gu.se/10.1201/9780429441028 
Comment: Less comprehensive but contains all necessary introduction material including a section on commercial and open source GIS.

3) GIS Commons: An Introductory Textbook on Geographic Information Systems. https://giscommons.org
Comment: free GIS "book", open source. Good basic introduction. Of course much less detailed than e.g. Heywood, but a solid start for getting used to mapping and GIS.
 

Steering Documents: Kursplan, Syllabus, Litteraturlista

Contacts: Course manager Alexander Walther, Study counsellor Emily Whitehurst Zack, Study administrator  Eugenia Andersson, director of studies Johan Hogmalm  

Further information: Studentportalen.