An introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), 4.5 ECTS
This course is an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Students will become familiar with the main uses GIS in general, but more specifically, students will work with vector and raster data in hands-on exercises where students learn basic GIS skills.
Start date: 5 September 2025
End date: 10 October 2025
Organiser: People, Society and Sustainability Research School
Location: Uppsala
Registration to: brian.kuns@slu.se
Upon completion of the course, the student should:
- Understand different kinds and uses of geographic information and cartographic principles.
- Become familiar in the main uses of and important sources for vector and raster data.
- Understand the basic principles of remote sensing in general, and, in particular, understand how NDVI is calculated and used.
- Be able to produce different kinds of vector and raster maps, taking into account various potential sources of error and controlling for potential misrepresentation of the underlying geographic information.
- Be able to critically read maps, and put them in context, so that one can uncover meanings, implications and politics from maps that are not always immediately evident.
Examination: Seminar presentation of own map(s) explaining the purpose of the map, why it is important, and how it is connected to the student’s PhD research. The presentation should also include an account of the different steps taken to produce the map, and how potential sources of error were avoided.