Geographical Information Systems (GIS) MSc

This module introduces students to powerful and commonly used statistical methods in the social sciences. It assumes no prior statistical knowledge and focuses on the practical research priorities of selecting, conducting and interpreting the most appropriate test with an eye to, rather than an obsession with, the underpinning statistical foundations. The module uses weekly seminar sessions and R practicals to build practical software skills alongside conceptual understanding.

Geospatial approaches, including those commonly associated with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and spatial data analysis, are employed extensively in a variety of professional settings, from urban planning and architecture to health care and social research. In this module, we aim to consider the wider implications of GIScience in the context of applied GIS and urban analytics. This module is therefore focused on helping understand the core principles of GIScience as well as potential applications of GIS in helping identify and tackle spatial problems and undertake geospatial research in the real world. In particular, we encourage critical thinking about the applications of GIS and GIScience to spatial problems as well as exploring their limitations. The module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and case-studies.

This module introduces students to the core principles and skills of GIS. It covers the major sources of data used to study the lived environment and the variety of ways it can be displayed to aid both understanding and analysis. The module has a particular focus on techniques used in the analysis of socio-economic and demographic data and its potential applications. It is taught through a combination of lectures and practical workshops using ArcGIS software.

The availability of software, hardware and data for geographical information systems (GIS) has increased rapidly in recent years. Alongside this, there have been exciting developments in cartography and visualisation methods. This module is focused on developing analysis and visualisation skills using a range of software but with particular focus on QGIS, the leading open-source desktop GIS. Students will learn through a combination of computer workshops and lectures and be exposed to the latest developments in the field. Assessment is by means of a spatial data visualisation and analysis project.

As professional skills become increasingly vital for workplace success, this module will allow you to develop a range of supporting skills that will enhance your learning experience at Sheffield and prepare you for a successful career.

The module has two elements: 1. Cultures of Learning and Professional Skills - understanding how we teach at Sheffield, how to get the most out of your study and how to develop key generic professional/soft skills 2. Employability Skills - preparing you for careers within planning, design, real estate, GIS and related professional areas.



The aims of this  module are: 

1. to provide a range of supporting skills for home and international students, which will help you get the most out of your learning in Sheffield

2. to prepare you for professional employment and career development at the end of your studies.

This unit is aimed at students who already have a good degree of knowledge in GIS. The module aims to develop in students a high degree of competence in relation to advanced spatial analysis, understanding spatial approaches to problem solving, and the theories and precepts which underlie software applications in GIS. The module is taught in a series of inter-related computer workshops focusing on real-world data and problem scenarios. The assessment for this module is based on a multiple choice exam and a 2,000 word advanced methods report.

This is a project-based module in which students address a real-world problem for a client using a variety of different spatial datasets and GIS methods as appropriate. The aim of the module is to prepare students for professional practice in GIS and through a group-work approach which places emphasis on collaboration, team working and objective-setting. This module is taught through a short series of lectures and group seminars. The module is assessed through a combination of a group presentation, a group final report and an individual reflection.

This module aims to provide students with a strong understanding of the social and physical science of climate change with relevance to international development. This understanding is then applied to consider the challenge of living with climate change in the Global South. The module is taught through seminars and lectures. Lectures introduce and impart factual knowledge while seminars allow discussion and an emphasis on applying key concepts to practical situations. Together these structure students' learning, and provide an environment in which they can develop their skills in researching, presenting and debating arguments drawn from the wide ranging literature on climate change.

This module is designed to provide an introduction to the concepts and methods of 'data science' and, in particular, how they can be utilised in conjunction with spatial data. The module will particularly focus on applications within social sciences and demonstrate how these skills can be applied in urban contexts . The module will introduce students to how programming approaches can be used to tackle problems in data handling, data analysis, and data visualisation. This will be of particular interest to those who wish to develop their technical and analytical skills in a real-world, problem-oriented context and will add in-demand  employability skills.  It will also appeal to students who wish to understand 'data science' as an approach to investigating the world around us. No prior programming experience is required but students will be expected to have some familiarity with core concepts of coding (e.g variables, operators, assignment, loops and functions) through prior reading.

Climate change is one of the most significant and urgent challenges of the 21st century. Cities generate over 70% of the world's CO2 and consume 60% of global energy, they will therefore play an important part in mitigating the extent of climate change and in adapting to the effects of the climate crisis and its impacts on societies and the global environment. This unit will explore the drivers of climate change and their implications for urban systems, critically considering how urban professionals can respond to these challenges in ways that promote just and sustainable transitions.

This module explores the urban environment as a determinant of health and well-being and examines how planning and urban design can contribute to improvements in health. Beginning with an exploration of the historic relationship between planning and public health, the module focuses on how the urban environments support or undermine health in relation to mental health, ageing, obesity, air quality and noise pollution. The module also introduces the notion of health impact assessment and further reflects on the contribution of planning to environmental justice and the reduction of inequalities in health.

This module aims to introduce the theories and practices of urban heritage conservation in a global context, and equip students with the basic skills to appraise heritage value and propose a planning response for conservation. This is achieved by discussing the evolution of the heritage movement and the shifting of conservation focus in the urban built environment. Critical questions will be debated in class such as how heritage is defined, by who, as well as the implications of conservation practices at different scales. We will look at the contemporary challenges to heritage conservation and the role of heritage in future place-making and sustainability. Using case studies, we will examine the creative conservation practices in the UK and internationally. Students will develop their own heritage project to critically apply the knowledge and skills to a real world case.

This module is a major research project that offers the opportunity for students to develop and manage an individual and [theoretically informed] empirical research project. In the course of this module, students will gain experience in the key stages of undertaking a research project, these include some or all of: identifying a topic; conducting a review of the literature; identifying research questions; selecting methods; designing and conducting a project of research; and presenting the outcome of the project in a logical and coherent written format. They will also develop an appreciation of the issues involved in managing a GIS research project, including experience in sourcing, handling, and processing spatial data in a research context, and will further deepen their knowledge and experience of GIS and spatial analysis skills in a chosen field of study.