Unit name | Introduction to Quantitative Geography |
---|---|
Unit code | GEOG10004 |
Credit points | 20 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
Unit director | Mr. Thomas |
Open unit status | Not open |
Pre-requisites |
None |
Co-requisites |
Key Concepts in Human and Physical Geography; Geographical History, Thought and Practices |
School/department | School of Geographical Sciences |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
The unit is comprised of two elements. Digital Data & Geography provides an introduction to the use, processing and presentation of spatial data to examine geographical phenomena. Geographical Data Analysis develops skills for empirical enquiry using quantitative methods and software. Both elements provide foundational ability in IT and analytical skills, which are used and developed in subsequent years.
Element 1: Digital Data & Geography - A ten-week element, with a weekly 1 hour lecture and a timetabled practical (also includes an introduction to the School's IT facilities during week 0 - the introductory week). The key topics are: knowing about the sources and nature of geographical data; the use of software packages for displaying, summarizing and mapping geographical data; an introduction to GIS and using numerical data to examine and interpret geographical phenomena.
Element 2: Geographical Data Analysis - This element provides an introduction to the perspectives and methods of geographical data analysis. The key topics covered are: Spatial Analysis; probability theory, inference and hypothesis testing; Models, functions and simple regression.
The aims of this Unit are
On completion of this Unit students should be able to:
Element 1 covers ILOs 1-3; Element 2 covers ILOs 4-8
The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:
Lectures, practicals, group work and reading tasks plus weekly drop-in sessions.
On-line formative assessments.
Written summative assessments.
Element 1
25% Group project and presentation leading to policy briefing assessment for Key Concepts in Human and Physical Geography. [ILOs 1-3]
Element 2
25% Practical folder documenting GDA project [ILOs 4-8]
50% 2 hour written examination [ILOs 4, 5, 7]
Total for unit 100%.
The award of credit is conditional on achieving a mark of at least 40% in the final examination.
Plus two formative online exams, one in week 6 and one exam in week 13. Feedback for these formative assessments will be in the form of individual reports in addition to an overall report sheet. Attendance at these formative assessments is compulsory and credit for the unit will be withheld for non-attendance.
ESSENTIAL READING:
RECOMMENDED READING:
Handouts with reading relevant to specific lectures will also be given.
Recommended Bookshop texts:
Harris, R. and Jarvis, C. (2011) Statistics for Geography and Environmental Science. Pearson. NB For element 2 and for year 2 Spatial Modelling unit.