Course on GIS
From 19 January to 6 February, the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW) offered an intensive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) course, giving students a hands-on introduction to spatial analysis and cartographic tools that are increasingly important in research and practice across disciplines.
This course teaches students about the power of maps. In this day and age students can not avoid the use of digital technology in their quest for understanding the world around them. Yet Geographic Information Systems (GIS) still has the centuries-old study and practice of making maps at its heart. While computers can help them undertake spatial analyses and geographic visualisations much more efficiently, an understanding of the underlying principles and concepts of cartography is just as important to fully exploit the potential that modern GIS tools can have. This course includes as much engagement with maps and aspects of visualisation as possible, whilst it showcases and exercises the use of GIS as a valuable tool to apply and utilise these skills.
The course is taught by Dr. Jiri Panek. Jiri has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geography and GIS from the Department of Geoinformatics and a PhD from the Department of Development Studies from Palacky University in Olomouc, Czech Republic. His research focuses on GIS in development cooperation and humanitarian aid, with a main focus on Participatory GIS (PGIS/ PPGIS). He has been to Kenya and South Africa for mapmaking, studied GIS in India and is currently co-developing a participatory platform for collection perceptions about the urban environment.
All master's courses taught at UW are open to guest students, exchange students, and people from the world of work. The courses are part of our two international multidisciplinary master's programs, Coastal and Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. The courses are modular, taught in English, hands-on and many of them include field trips and company visits. Check out the UW course catalogue to find out more.