ATS2780 Final: Sem1_ATS2780_Summary Notes
ATS-2780
ATS-2780 NOTES
Semester 1
ATS-2780
Exam Style (2 hours)
Section A – Multiple Choice Questions
• 20 MC questions (2% each)
• Choose ‘all of above’ if option
Section B – Short Answer Questions
• Ten short answer questions
• Answer any six (each questions 10%)
o E.g. Why is map generalisation necessary and why does it involve so
much more than line simplification?
o As a model of geographical space, what are the characteristics of a
map?
! Projection
! Symbology
UNIT Objectives
• To introduce basic concepts of geography and geographical analysis and
representation
• To introduce methods and techniques of geographical analysis, including
spatial representations, cartography, spatial data manipulation and analysis in
GIS
• To develop skills and competency in basic methods of spatial reasoning and
geographical analysis through hands on practicals and projects using real
world data
ATS-2780
ATS-2780 Exam Notes
Week 1: Geographical Problems, Questions and Approaches
Branches of geography
• Physical, biological, human – all interconnected
o Dependent on each other
! All aspects influence one another
• Physical Geography – intrinsic properties of the earth
o Land & processes (e.g. geomorphology)
o Climate, hydrology
• Biogeography – vegetation, fauna
o Ecosystems, biomes
• Human geography – aspects of world relating to people
o Ethnic, social
o Economic, government
Steps in approaching geographical questions/problems – analysis cycle
• Trigger – need recognised
• Define problem – typically as a question
• Exploration
o Theory from other disciplines
o Apply or create models
o Formulate hypothesis
• Identify primary (data you find yourself) and secondary (data you find/take)
data required
• Select geographical tools (e.g. excel, GIS)
• Collect and process data
• Select models of presentation
• Draw conclusions (with respect to hypothesis – yes or no)
• Evaluate outcome
• Take action – publish; recommendations
Document Summary
Section a multiple choice questions: 20 mc questions (2% each, choose all of above" if option. Section b short answer questions: ten short answer questions, answer any six (each questions 10%, e. g. Unit objectives: to introduce basic concepts of geography and geographical analysis and representation, to introduce methods and techniques of geographical analysis, including spatial representations, cartography, spatial data manipulation and analysis in. Gis: to develop skills and competency in basic methods of spatial reasoning and geographical analysis through hands on practicals and projects using real world data. Branches of geography: physical, biological, human all interconnected, dependent on each other. Steps in approaching geographical questions/problems analysis cycle: trigger need recognised, define problem typically as a question, exploration, theory from other disciplines, apply or create models, formulate hypothesis. Non-positivism: underlying assumption that universe is ordered, knowable, explicable predictable, knowledge is objective, neutral, observer can be independent, consensus achievable through.