Credits: 8
Schedule: 09.09.2019 - 16.12.2019
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Juanjo Galan
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Responsible teacher: Juanjo Galan (juanjo.galan@aalto.fi; +358469221800)
Teaching Period (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
I-II (autumn 2019). The course is arranged evety two years.
Learning Outcomes (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Students completing the course will be able to use GIS and map algebra methods for different purposes in Landscape Planning. In addition, they will be acquainted with the basic academic discourse in the topic of the course in order to conduct independent and further learning.
Content (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
The course provides some basic and advanced principles, tools and methods for the use of GIS in Landscape Planning. Further information given on MyCourses.
Details on the course content (applies in this implementation):
DESCRIPTOR: This course will explore the potential of GIS in landscape studies and planning by mapping (and assessing) different ecosystem services (regulating/supporting, provisioning and cultural as defined in the Millenium Ecosystem Services report: https://millenniumassessment.org/documents/document.300.aspx.pdf in the Great Helsinki Region
The objective of the course will be to maximize the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in the identification, mapping (and assessment) of Ecosystem Services. and to explore existing or new methods for the implementation of the proposed works.
INTRODUCTION: How can Ecosystem Services be classified and assessed? Which kind of operation would be needed to identify, map and assess Ecosystem Services? How can these operations be conducted using GIS? How much and how can we integrate “objective” and “subjective” information”? How can computers help us in processing the increasing amount of available data? Can they create new layers of integrated information? Which algorithms should drive the combination and generation of those new layers? How can ecological and landscape studies, computation and map algebra be interconnected?...
In the course MAR-E1046 Basics of GIS we will try to answer all those questions by working simultaneously in the basics of GIS, in the principles of map algebra (combination of geographic data and spatial layers) and in their application on the identification, mapping (and assessment) of Ecosystem Services in the Great Helsinki Region. The course will combine an introductory part exploring the conceptual and practical potential of geographic information (part1) with a methodological research on the existing methods for Ecosystem Services mapping and assessment (part2). All the acquired knowledge will be applied in the Great Helsinki Region (part3), where the students will be invited to use or define their own methodology and to maximize the potential use of GIS in the development of their work
General motto in education: There is no better way to learn something than teaching it to another person
Our motto in this course: There is no better way to learn something than teaching it to a computer...
GENERAL LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing the course, students understand the basics of GIS technology programs, are able to use them, and apply what they have learned in a study assignment.
SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES (edition 2019 of the course):
Regarding GIS TOOLS: After completing the course, the students will know and will be able to apply in practical cases the basics theories and software operations of Geoinformatics.
- View, create, and modify spatial data and coordinate systems in a GIS
- Run simple spatial analysis
- Find data sources and utilize metadata
- Create maps with GIS
- Describe and use map algebra principles
- Create field data from points
- Create field data from points, field as a data type + Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and its derivatives + Generation of Digital Surface models (DSM) + Kernel density + Interpolation
Regarding ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IDENTIFICATION, MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT with GIS: After completing the course, the students will:
- Know the basics of Ecosystem Services regarding:
- Types, Metrics and indicators
- Interconnections between different Ecosystem Services
- Interconnections to urban typologies and green types
- Connections to Green-Blue Infrastructures in different scales (spatial networks)
- Be able to Map Ecosystem Services and use them in Planning and Design according to existing methods
- Formulate or assume critically methodologies for Ecosystem Services identification, mapping and assessment and apply them in a regional Case Study (Great Helsinki Region) by using effectively the possibilities provided by GIS
Assessment Methods and Criteria (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
The course will include a set of assessment methods (e.g. practical exercises, assignments, etc.) that will promote a combined exploration of theoretical concepts and their practical application. Further information given on MyCourses.
Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods, and acquainting students with the evaluation (applies in this implementation):
ASSESSMENT: The course will integrate some basic exercises for both the Full course and the Theoretical course students and some Assignments for the Full course students. The Assignments will be reviewed in public sessions and will include self/peer/teacher assessment. The exercises will be developed individually and the assignments in teams or individually.
Students attending the Basic course will have to do and pass all the GIS exercises and prepare a final report about the use of GIS in the works developed by the Full course students (the GIS exercises will count 60% of the final grade and the final report 40% of the final grade)
Students attending the Full course will have to do and pass all the GIS exercises and all the Assignments
- GIS part_INDIVIDUAL WORK (20% of the final grade). All the exercises will count 15% of the final grade of this part and will need to be submitted and passed. Teachers will be in charge of the evaluation. A diagnostic self-assessment will be carried out at the beginning of the course to adjust the contents and goals of the course if needed.
- APPLICATION OF IS IN THE STUDY OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION_TEAM WORK (70% of the final grade). The partial assignments will count 20% of the final grade of this part of this course and the final assignment 40%. All the assignments will need to be submitted and passed. Students and Teachers will be in charge of the evaluation (Peer Assessment 20%, Self-Assessment 10%, Teachers-Assessment 70 %). A diagnostic self-assessment will be carried out at the beginning of the course to adjust the contents an goals of the course if needed.
- TRANSVERSAL/SOFT SKILLS_PER INDIVIDUAL (10% of the final grade). The level of achievement in the learning outcomes connected to transversal/soft skills will be assessed by Students and Teachers (Self-Assessment (15%), Peer Assessment (25%), Teacher Assessment (60%). A diagnostic self-assessment will be carried out at the beginning of the course to adjust the contents an goals of the course if needed
For more details about Learning Outcomes, Assessment Methods, Assessment Rubrics and Final Grade see APPENDIX 1
The delay of submitted course work (assignments, etc.) affects its assessment:
- If the work is delayed but submitted by the FIRST official submission date of the Department (1. jälkipalautuspäivä), the grade is lowered with one point (i.e. 3 becomes 2),
- If the work is delayed but submitted by the SECOND official submission date of the Department (2. jälkipalautuspäivä), the grade is lowered with two points. (i.e. 3 becomes 1)
- At the end of the course the instructor may also accept unsubmitted work which is almost accomplished, but the unfinishedness of the work is taken into consideration in the grading and the earned credits.
Workload (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
- Full Course (8 credits): Tutored studies 60 hours (lectures, tutored GIS exercises, revision of GIS exercises, seminars, contact sessions and review sessions), Independent studies 150 hours (readings, development of GIS Exercises and Assignments for the proposed case study), in total 210 hrs.
- GIS course (3 credits): Tutored studies 40 hrs (lectures, tutored exercises and attendance of the review sessions), independent study 40 hrs (readings, development of GIS Exercises), in total 80 hrs.
Details on calculating the workload (applies in this implementation):
Full Course (8 credits): Tutored studies 60 hours (practical lectures, tutored GIS exercises, revision of GIS exercises, seminars, review of Case Study Assignments, tutored studio work on the CASE STUDY), Independent studies 156 hours (readings, development of GIS Exercises and Assignments for the CASE STUDY), in total 216 hrs.
Basic course (3 credits): Tutored studies 40,5 hrs (lectures, tutored exercises and observation of Assignment Reviews), independent study 40,5 hrs (readings, development of GIS Exercises), in total 81 hrs.
Study Material (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Distributed during the course
Details on the course materials (applies in this implementation):
Materials will be provided during the course
Substitutes for Courses (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
MAR-E1004, MA-94.1152
Grading Scale (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
0-5
Registration for Courses (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
WebOodi. For the registration period see WebOodi.
The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The
The order of priority for admitting students to courses at Aalto ARTS 1.1.2018 onwards (approved by The Committee of Arts, Design and Architecture on 10.10.2017) The order of priority is as follows:
- students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have scheduled it for the current academic year in their personal study plan (HOPS);
- exchange students for whom the course is a part of his/her officially approved learning agreement and scheduled to be taken during the current semester;
- students for whom the course is compulsory for their major/programme and who have not completed it yet;
- students, for whom the course is part of his/her major’s or programme’s alternative studies and has been scheduled in the student's PSP (HOPS) for the current academic year
- students, for whom the course is part of his/her major’s or programme’s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
- students for whom the course is compulsory for their minor;
- students, for whom the course is part of his/her minor subject’s alternative studies and who have not completed the requisite number of credits for alternative studies yet;
- students who have applied for the course through a student mobility scheme (internal mobility within Aalto University, flexible study right (JOO) studies etc.);
- other students.
Courses that are intended to be multidisciplinary (e.g. UWAS courses) may apply an order of priority based on the learning outcomes of the course, while bearing in mind the university obligation of enabling students to complete their degrees within the normative duration of study set for the degree. The order of priority does not apply to courses organised by the Centre for General Studies or doctoral courses.
This decision on the order of priority does not influence the right of the teacher to define prerequisites for the course.
Further Information (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020):
Minimum number of participants is 5 students.
Additional information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Code Aalto University: MAR-E1046
Duration: September-December 2019 (I and II period)
Students: 5-15 from Aalto University
CREDITS: 3-9 credits (3 credits: students attending lectures and doing the basic exercises; 9 credits, students developing in addition the proposed Case Study (Mapping Ecosystem Services in the Great Helsinki Region)
Responsible teacher: Juanjo Galan (Aalto University)
Teachers: Felix Bourgeau (GIS, PhD Candidate, Aalto_ARTS), Juanjo Galan (Ecosystem Services: concept and assessment, Aalto-ARTS)
Additional lecturers:
- Joel Jalkanen: https://tuhat.helsinki.fi/portal/en/persons/joel-jalkanen(5f61db1d-44d2-402b-a77b-5948a8e59628).html
- Leena Holmila: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/31394
- Elisa Lähde: https://rekry.wsp.com/people/77109-elisa-lahde
- Heidi Ahlgren: https://www.espoo.fi/fi-fi/asuminen_ja_ymparisto/kaavoitus/Yleiskaava/Yhteystiedot
REGISTRATION FOR COURSES: WebOodi. For the registration period see WebOodi
- STUDENTS & PREREQUISITES:
- Master & PhD Students_Landscape Architecture
- Master & PhD Students_Architecture
- Students of the Creative Sustainability programme
- Master & PhD Students_School of Engineering
- Master students from other disciplines related to Spatial Planning and/or Environmental Studies
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION: English
TEACHERS: Juanjo Galan, Felix Bourgeau
Details on the schedule (applies in this implementation):
Period I, II (Autumn term 2019), (9.9-16.12.2019, Mondays 9:15–12:00)
Place: Otakaari 1 (A046a and other computer classrooms), Aalto University (Otaniemi)
SCHEDULE:
WEEK1 (9.9.2019, classroom R001/A046a)
GIS_PART
- Introduction to the course / GIS module
- -- Why GIS:Introduction to GIS and geoinformatics: Basic theories: coordinates & attributes; raster & vector (points, lines, polygons); categorical & continuous data; 2D, 3D + Examples of GIS + Why is GIS useful in MAPPING Ecosystem Services
- Getting started with a GIS
- -- Getting started with ArcMap:View, layout, tools, layers, attribute table, help pages, tutorials, saving process
- -- Different types of data on a GIS: point, line, polygon, raster, basemap
- -- Selecting features manually: Queries: Select by attributes, select by location; SQL; create layer from selected features
- Diagnostic self-assessment of General (Transversal skills) and Specific Learning Outcomes for the GIS part and Ecosystem Services Parts+ Discussion about the Criteria and Table of Rubrics for Peer and Self-Assessment
- Presentation of Exercise1 (homework)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PART
- Definition of teams and preselection of readings (Ecosystem services: concept, uses and mapping)
WEEK2 (16.9.2019, classroom R001/A046a)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise1
- Modifying data in a GIS: Data editing + Data conversion + Data from tables
- Georeferencing
- -- Coordinates and coordinate systems: Theory + View, define and transform coordinates and coordinates systems
- -- Matching image with a background map
- Presentation of Exercise2 (homework)
WEEK3 (23.9.2019, classroom U531)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise2
- Simple spatial analysis tools: Proximity tools + Overlay + Others
- Spatial Data Infrastructure: Data sources + Metadata
- Presentation of Exercise3 (homework)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES_PART
- Lecture: "GIS & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: METHODS & CASE STUDIES"
- Elisa Lähde (WSP_Finland)
- Heidi Ahlgren (City of Espoo)
WEEK4 (30.9.2019, classroom R001/A046)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise3
- Communication by map: Map versus Data + Data in a map + Map types + Elements of a map + Other practical issues + Export/Import to CAD, Illustrator
- Presentation of Exercise4 (homework)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PART
- Lecture: Principles of Ecosystem Services Mapping
- REVIEW_Reading seminar “Ecosystem services: concept, uses and mapping”_1 (first group of teams)
WEEK5 (7.10.2019, classroom R001/A046)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise4
- Map algebra: Theory + Simple local functions + Simple focal functions + Simple zonal functions + More complex functions
- Presentation of Exercise5 (homework)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PART
- Lecture: Methodologies for Ecosystem Services Mapping and examples
- REVIEW_Reading seminar “Ecosystem services: concept, uses and mapping”_1 (first group of teams)
- Presentation of ASSIGNMENT1: “A method for Ecosystem Services Mapping in the Great Helsinki Region + identification of potential use of GIS”
WEEK6 (14.10.2019, classroom R001/A046)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise5
- Analysis of Fields: Field as a data type + Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and its derivatives + Generation of Digital Surface models (DSM) + Kernel density + Interpolation
- Presentation of Exercise6 (homework)
WEEK7 (21.10.2019, classroom R001/Y338)
GIS_PART
- Solution of Exercise6
- Recapitulation: Examples of the use of GIS + General recap
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES PART
- REVIEW of ASSIGNMENT1: “A method for Ecosystem Services Mapping in the Great Helsinki Region + identification of potential use of GIS” + Peer/Self/Teacher Assessment of the achievement of General (transversal skills) and Specific Learning Outcomes in the assignment 1
- Presentation ofASSIGNMENT2: Mapping Ecosystem Services at the Great Helsinki Region through GIS
WEEK8 (28.10.2019, classroom R001/U344)
- A ROAD TRIP ACROSS THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION (full day)
WEEK9 (4.11.2019, classroom R001/A046a)
- Workshop_ MAPPING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION THROUGH GIS
- -- Studio_tutoring: Methodology, First results and critical discussion about the use of GIS and about its potential use in planning
WEEK10 (11.11.2019, classroom R001/U344)
- Workshop_ MAPPING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION THROUGH GIS
- -- Studio_tutoring: Pre-final results, critical discussion about the use of GIS and about its potential use in planning
WEEK11 (18.11.2019, classroom R001/A046a)
- Workshop_ MAPPING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION THROUGH GIS
- -- REVIEW of ASSIGNMENT2: Mapping Ecosystem Services at the Great Helsinki Region through GIS + Peer/Self/Teacher Assessment of the achievement of General (transversal skills) and Specific Learning Outcomes in the assignment 2
- -- Presentation of ASSIGNMENT3: Assessing Ecosystem Services through GIS
WEEK12 (25.11.2019, classroom R001/A046a)
- Workshop_ ASSESSING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES THROUGH GIS AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION
- -- Studio_tutoring: Methodology, First results and critical discussion about the use of GIS and about its potential use in planning
WEEK13 (2.12.2019, classroom R001/A046)
- Workshop_ ASSESSING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES THROUGH GIS AT THE GREAT HELSINKI REGION
- REVIEW of ASSIGNMENT3: Assessing Ecosystem Services through GIS + Peer/Self/Teacher Assessment of the achievement of General (transversal skills) and Specific Learning Outcomes in the assignment 3
WEEK14 (9.12.2019, classroom R001/Y338)
- Workshop_ PREPARING THE FINAL PRESENTATION: SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS
- -- Studio_tutoring
WEEK15 (16.12.2019, classroom R001/A046)
- FINAL REVIEW (INCLUDING THE RESULTS OF THE ASSIGNMENTS (1, 2 and 3) 1 powerpoint + 2-3 A1 posters + Peer/Self/Teacher Assessment of the achievement of General (Transversal Skills) and all the Specific Learning Outcomes
IMPORTANT NOTE: the specific contents of the assignments 2, 3 and 4 can be adjusted by each team according to their methodology and Schedule
- Teacher: Félix Bourgeau