GEOG323-15S2 (C) Semester Two 2015

Geospatial Analysis in the Social and Environmental Sciences

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2015
End Date: Sunday, 15 November 2015
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 24 July 2015
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 9 October 2015

Description

This course provides an introduction to a number of spatial analytic methods, theories and techniques used in the social sciences. The course focuses specifically on the ‘geography of crime’ and the ‘geography of health’ and looks at ways in which GIS has been used to bolster private and public decision-making in these fields. A variety of software packages are introduced and used to explore different elements of spatial analysis as well as highlight a number of problems inherent when dealing with spatial data such as the ecological fallacy and modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP).

Learning Outcomes

  • The outcomes envisaged are both subject specific (enhancing students’ GIS skills) as well as transferable. By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Understand what spatial methods are appropriate for varying data types.
  • Be aware of some of the societal problems and critiques associated with GIS.
  • Carry out an advanced GIS or spatial analysis research project using GIS.
  • Be competent users of mainstream GIS software, gaining skills employers require. Critically appraise spatial analysis in published work.

Prerequisites

30 points of 200-level Geography, including GEOG205, or
in special cases with approval of the Head of Department.

Course Coordinator

Ioannis Delikostidis

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Final Exam 40%
Lab reports 35%
Group Presentation 25%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Haining, Robert P; Spatial data analysis : theory and practice ; Cambridge University Press, 2003.

O'Sullivan, David , Unwin, D; Geographic information analysis ; 2nd ed; John Wiley & Sons, 2010.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $778.00

International fee $3,450.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOG323 Occurrences

  • GEOG323-15S2 (C) Semester Two 2015
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