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Programming for Applications in GIS and Remote sensing

NGEN20

The course is a compulsory course at second cycle level for a Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) in GIS and remote sensing in the main field of study geomatics and an elective course for a Degree of Master of Science in Physical
Geography and Ecosystem Sciences.

Course content

On completion of the course, you should have acquired knowledge to handle the programming language Python to solve problems and tasks in geographic information sciences (GIS) and remote sensing as well as for applications in physical geography and ecosystem sciences. The course content is largely practically oriented to give training in problem-solving, and in how problems can is structured to be solved with programming tools. An overall goal is also to increase the employability of graduates, in both public and private sectors, and for activities in research.

The course starts with basic programming as handling variables, logical operations, IF clauses and loops, and continues with lists, matrices, file management. You learn to create their own functions and modules; work with external libraries and object-oriented programming. The final part treats GIS programming with ArcGIS to automate analyses, and excercises in creating your own GIS tools.

Teaching methods

The teaching consists of compulsory practical exercises to give training in
programming and problem-solving. The theory is mostly given in connection with the exercises as a shorter introductory lecture. The course starts with basic programming with gradually increasing difficulty in the exercises and introduces new programming
tools with focus on GIS and remote sensing. The final part is completely oriented towards GIS programming and is completed with a programming project that is carried out independently or in groups. All exercises and the final project work are compulsory.

 

Literature

For the Python programming part we use the book:
Think Python, Allen B. Downey, ISBN: 978-1491939369
The book is available online: https://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python-2e/
Make sure you use the 2nd edition for Python 3.x

For the Project part we use the book:
Programming ArcGIS Pro with Python (2nd Edition), Eric Pimpler.
A digital version of this book can be purchased online: https://geospatialtraining.com/programming-arcgis-pro-with-python-2nd-edition/
There are also paper copies available through various sites.It is also OK to use the 1st edition if you have a copy even if the content is somewhat different. It is important that you get this book since it will be used extensively in the project.

Course coordinator

Course facts: NGEN20

Level: Advanced
Credits: 15 ECTS
Period: Autumn, period 1
Language of instruction: English
Prerequisites: General admission requirements, English 6/B and at least 90 credits in natural sciences or technology of which at least 15 credits in GIS (such as NGEA11 GIS basic course, 15 credits) or the equivalent such as cartography, geodesy or remote sensing.

Course syllabus (pdf, 222 kb, new window)