GRS-34306 Geo-information Science in Context

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture12
Practical50
Group work28
Excursion (one day)14
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. L Kooistra
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. RJA van Lammeren
ing. WTh ten Haaf
dr. ir. L Kooistra
dr. L Grus
dr. ir. EN Speelman
Examiner(s)dr. ir. L Kooistra

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

GRS-10306 or comparable

Continuation courses:

GRS deepening courses

Contents:

Finding societal avenues to discuss and to react upon the many complex socio-environmental challenges are at the core of a rapidly developing Geo-information Science field. Examples of spatial challenges are given by responsible use of natural resources in context of urban dynamics like food security, water scarcity, health quality, biodiversity control, renewable energy and climate adaptation. Geo-information science plays a crucial role in agenda setting, analysis and solutions regarding these topics. Such role of the geo-information science is strongly influenced by scientific outcomes and technological developments. For that reason the contemporary society not only uses geo-located information but produces huge amounts of geo data. Technology allows for innovative data collection through crowd sourcing or high-resolution images from unmanned aerial vehicles, does improve access to open geo-data sources, and allows implementation of advanced analysis methods like machine learning. Science shapes the methodology and approaches to combine, analyze and predict by these data.
In this course, MGI students given a broad range of backgrounds and prior knowledge domains will be introduced to different facets of the Geo-information Science domain.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- recognize the main topics, backgrounds and trends of the Geo-information Science domain to set the scientific context;
- reflect on social ( organizational, intercultural, legal and ethical) dimensions that encounter the Geo-information Science domain to set the societal context;
- prepare a scientific paper on a specific analysis of a Geo-information Science topic in context;
- design and implement a simple webGIS that presents a specific Geo-information Science in context challenge;
- plan a personal learning trajectory based on the context positioning.

Activities:

During the course, weekly themes will introduce the context of the Geo-information Science domain through:
- introduction sessions by staff and external expert on concepts, methods and trends partly on location by Geo-information experts and companies;
- group work to study, analyse and discuss the different facets of the context
- discussion sessions with a variety of specialists in the domain;
- individual assignment to create an overview of the Geo-information science domain in context.
Based on this, the students will apply this contextual awareness by:
- individual assignment to present a personal background in the geo-information science domain to fellow MGI students, GIS professionals and related scientists;
- group assignment to design and implement a webGIS;
- individual assignment to write a paper illustrating the role of Geo-information Science in context;
- individual assignment to state a personal position in the Geo-information Science domain;
- individual assignment to create a personal study planning.

Examination:

The student's final mark will be based on:
A written examination (40%), a group assignment developing a WebGIS (30%) and an individual paper (30%). An individual plan of a personal learning trajectory is compulsory.
All individual components need to be sufficient. The course guide gives more details on the assessment procedure.

Literature:

Selected papers will be provided depending on the selected subjects within the course and assignments will be provided through Blackboard. The course guide provides details on literature.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: MGIGeo-Information ScienceMSc1MO
Restricted Optional for: MUEUrban Environmental ManagementMSc1MO