Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Geographic information systems GIS and geospatial data are incorporated in almost all aspects of our daily lives.
The intersection of geospatial and non-geospatial information provides goods and services to society as well as allows us to tackle complex issues due to changes in our climate and landscape. For example, the public sector uses GIS to plan train commutes, track forest fires and follow algae blooms while the private sector use GIS to create background scenes in video games, virtual walkthroughs of apartments and to track parcels. Scientists can, for example, leverage GIS to quantify impacts of sea level rise on coastal cities, estimate carbon storage at global scales and to evaluate ecosystem health.
The course is a elective component of the Bachelor's Programme in Earth Science, Distance Learning and it can also be taken as an individual course.
Information for admitted students spring 2025
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
-
Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
-
Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
-
Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Information for the spring semester 2025.
Admission and reply deadline
If you have applied for single courses via universityadmission.se and are admitted or placed as reserve, don’t forget to answer through universtyadmissions.se (My pages) to keep your place or reserve place. You have to accept your place, otherwise you will lose your place.
Late application
From 13th of December it may be possible to make a late application for some of our courses via universityadmissions.se. If the course is not open it means we can´t accept more students.
Registration and Welcome letter
Web-registration is made via Ladok for Students. What applies for a certain course is found in the welcome letter you will receive before the courses starts. Information will be sent to the e-mail address you used in the application via universityadmission.se. Be sure to check your email (also look in the spam filter).
Contact
Contact information can be found at the bottom of the course page or the program page. During holidays, it may take some time before you receive answers from us at the study administration. If you have urgent questions about admission or anything else, you can contact the Student Services and Infocenter at Stockholm University.
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
The intersection of geospatial and non-geospatial information provides goods and services to society as well as allows us to tackle complex issues due to changes in our climate and landscape. For example, the public sector uses GIS to plan train commutes, track forest fires and follow algae blooms while the private sector use GIS to create background scenes in video games, virtual walkthroughs of apartments and to track parcels. Scientists can, for example, leverage GIS to quantify impacts of sea level rise on coastal cities, estimate carbon storage at global scales and to evaluate ecosystem health.
The course is a elective component of the Bachelor's Programme in Earth Science, Distance Learning and it can also be taken as an individual course.
-
Course structure
This is a distance course that will teach the fundamentals of GIS. Through this course, the student will learn the basics of data management and analysis of geospatial data with the program ArcGIS. The course is structured around literature, exercises and independent project work. GIS theories are provided through the textbook and is used to support the exercise methods and analyses while the project work will allow the student to apply the gathered knowledge to solve an emerging real-world problem.
Modules
- Fundamental GIS Methods, 3.5 credits
- GIS Theory, 2 credits
- Advanced GIS Applications, 2 credits
Teaching format
The course is given only as a distance learning course. This can be completed at your own pace but shall be completed before the course end date. The teaching consists of web-based teaching and independent project work hosted on the Athena learning platform. All the course material is only provided in english (ex. course literature, exercises, supervision, exam, project).
Currently, only ArcGIS Desktop is used in the course and not ArcPro.
Assessment
For details see syllabus.
GE4030_Geographic Information Systems (267 Kb)
Plagiarism and regulations for disciplinary matters
As a student you must be conscientious about clearly accounting for the material used in the texts that are submitted for examination. To use another person’s expressions or ideas without stating the source is plagiarism. To translate and/or change some words in someone else’s text and present it as your own is also a form of plagiarism. Plagiarism is considered cheating and if discovered in an exam or paper, the exam or paper will be failed immediately and disciplinary measures may be taken.
Any student who is caught cheating or disrupting academic activities may be suspended from lectures and exams for a period of up to six months. The Vice Chancellor or the Disciplinary Council decide whether the student is to be subject to any disciplinary measures.
Read more about the rules and regulations here: Governing documents relating to education.
-
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.The course is given only as a distance learning course. This can be completed at your own pace but shall be completed before the course end date.
-
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.
-
Course reports
-
Contact
Registration is normally done at the beginning of each semester. If you have not received information about registration you can contact the student office directly.
Course responsible
Helle Skånes
E-mail: helle.skanes@natgeo.su.seStudy counsellor, student office and contacts
