KE5017 - Earth Observation and GIS

In this module, you will learn through lectures and IT workshops. In addition to timetabled sessions, your independent study will be guided and supported through your engagement with a range of interactive learning resources accessible on-line via the module eLP site, including electronic reading lists.

Lectures will be used to introduce and develop key issues, concepts, and theoretical principles across the range of topics covered on the module, thus acting as a framework to support your learning, and understanding of the practical application of skills taught in IT workshops. In the first part of the module, you will develop your practical and technical skills with guided exercises and directed learning to support you in completing a portfolio of tasks associated with each exercise. The IT workshops are supervised but you will be expected to finish the portfolio tasks in your own time whilst exploring in more detail key theoretical principles provided in lectures. In the second part of the module, the IT workshops are designed to support your engagement with a final geospatial analysis project. The IT workshops enable you to analyse and interpret a wide of range of digital datasets and are designed to improve your ability to solve complex problems applying the latest techniques using industry-standard software. In addition you will be given directed reading and reference to online resources that you will need to explore for examples of the techniques you are learning implemented in research or in the public and private sector.

You will be assessed through: (i) a portfolio based on practical exercises delivered in the first part of the module (up to 1000 words, 40% weighting); and (ii) a written project report combining the use of image processing and spatial analysis practical skills at the end of the second part of the module (up to 2000 words, 60% weighting). You will receive formative feedback in practical classes and summative feedback on submitted coursework.

Module content and guidance will be made available by your module tutor in lectures as well as via the module eLP site. During IT sessions, you will interact closely with teaching staff who will provide formative support (demonstrations are often provided at the start of the class) and feedback on activities leading up to the assessment tasks, you will also benefit from interaction and problem solving with your fellow students in working through the workbooks. An interactive reading list with on-line access to several key articles is available to you, some of which will be linked to the weekly lecture programme. Teaching staff operate a virtual ‘open door’ policy for students meaning that you can email us at any time during normal office hours to arrange either a virtual or a face to face meeting (during normal office hours) , or to answer questions, receive feedback and support your learning on the module.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MLO 1: Evaluate appropriate techniques of image processing and analysis.
• MLO 2: Evaluate the fundamental capabilities and limitations of digital data and geospatial methods for spatial analysis.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MLO 3: From a choice of different methods and techniques be able to generate and describe different types of digital data and their purpose.
• MLO 4: Select and apply appropriate techniques in image processing and analysis and geospatial analysis to generate and/or combine data for interpretation to answer set aims and objectives.
• MLO 5: Critically review the use of digital data from a variety of sources and identify, and quantify and manage error.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Summative Assessment:

Individual Portfolio - maximum 1000 words
Weighted 40% of module mark.
Your portfolio submission is linked to IT practicals and associated exercises. The portfolio tasks require you to integrate theoretical and practical aspects of data generation and the use of software and associated tools to develop your understanding of how digital data is generated and applied to spatial analysis and for image processing and analysis.
MLOs 1, 2, and 3

Individual Project report - 2000
Weighted 60% of module mark
The second assignment requires you to design and implement a geospatial technique to address a set of objectives. Knowledge and practical skills gained from the first assignment are expanded upon and added to in the following IT workshops. Formative feedback is provided by staff when you are working on the datasets and designing a method.
MLOs 3, 4 and 5

You will receive formative feedback on work to be submitted for your portfolio and report during practical classes. This will provide guidance on the expected style and standard of work and engender confidence and engagement. Annotated feedback, together with the mark awarded, will enable students to feed forward key aspects into assessments for this module and in other modules at both levels 5 and 6. The practical and project/enquiry-based nature of the assessments will also support students in thinking ahead towards their final year dissertation.

KE4005

None

Developing practical skills in analysing digital datasets and understanding the implications and benefits of doing so is an emerging key skill set used in practice leading to the development and implementation of policy in the public and private sector. You will be learning how to use industrial standard software and in understanding the tools and techniques available, applying them to design a methodology, problem solve and explore the strengths and weakness of your results relative to objectives being set in your assignments on this module, an essential skill in the workplace. All the skills that you are taught on this module are transferable to a wide range of practices: town planning, population dynamics, hazard/risk assessment, food sustainability, environmental protection, pollution monitoring and control, and understanding of physical processes in the environment.