Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The student is able to select appropriate software tools and utilize them in order to implement geospatial software systems. The student has a functional understanding of how to work as part of a small software development project. The student is able to apply good software development practice to solving geospatial problems and implement spatial software services. The student is able to analyse the suitability of geospatial software and GIS to solving a given problem.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 18.04.2019 - 29.05.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Jussi Nikander

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jussi Nikander

Contact information for the course (valid 11.04.2019-21.12.2112):

Lecturer Jussi Nikander (jussi.nikander@aalto.fi).

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    GIS application development as a project. Software engineering approaches and methods. Advanced programming in GIS. Geographical data base management systems and GIS architectures. Spatial data privacy and security issues.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The goal of
    this course is for the students learn how methods required for GIS application
    development work. After the course, the student has an understanding how
    software development projects work, how spatial data is developed, how web
    services are set up, and how databases can be maintained, and used in GIS
    analysis.

    In
    addition, the students familiarize themselves and practice with the technological
    tools required in GIS software development and management of GIS data sets, and
    make a short GIS development project. In the project, the students will
    practice how to keep track of the amount of work done on a software project,
    and compare this to the amount of resources assigned.

    The project
    will be done in groups. The groups will have 3-5 people, with group of size 4
    being the optimal. A group of this size can continue to function, even if one
    person needs to drop out of the course. A group of four is also sufficiently
    large that the participants can divide work between them, and people can
    specialize in different tasks. However, in a group of four, there aren’t too
    many people, and therefore everyone will find work they need to do in the
    project.

    The amount
    of time a student should dedicate for work outside the learning sessions is approximately 100
    hours. This comes to approximately 20 hours of work per week.


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Project work and portfolio

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Evaluation by project and by learning portfolio. It is possible to consider replacing the learning portfolio with an exam if there is a well-justified reason for it.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lectures and self-study (48), project work (80)

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Learning sessions 24h, exercise sessions 10h, project work and individual studying 100h.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Lecture notes and additional literature

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course materials will be added to the MyCourses pages during the course.

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    GIS-E1070 Theories and techniques in GIS

SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    13 Climate Action

    15 Life on Land

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    The course follows the schedule of Period V, with the project work being finished before the examination week.