Techniques of Regional Representation and Design
Code: 104258 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Geography, Environmental Management and Spatial Planning | OB | 3 |
Contact
- Name:
- Marc Pares Franzi
- Email:
- marc.pares@uab.cat
Teachers
- Miguel Angel Narvaez Gomez
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Students must be self-sufficient in the use of Geographic Information Systems and Excel for the creation of cartography and figures at user level. This knowledge will be taken for granted and will not be discussed in this subject.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The purpose of the subject is to gain theoretical and methodological knowledge about graphic design and representation of geographic information. This course is an introduction to the domain of data visualization using free and proprietary software. It is not intended to address the intensive use of specific programs, but to understand the fundamental aspects related to the graphic design of geographic information.
At the end of this subject, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired not only to practical cases raised in other subjects, but also to projects within the workplace.
This subject is linked to the subject "Territorial and Environmental Laboratory: Project". The knowledge acquired will be applied in a practical way to the project developed in this other subject.
Learning Outcomes
- CM26 (Competence) Interpret the statistical results obtained in a study through data analysis in order to make judgements that include a reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.
- KM40 (Knowledge) Introduce the main sources of scientific information and documentation related to territorial and environmental processes in a study.
- SM35 (Skill) Combine different techniques and methods of cartographic representation, computer graphics and spatial analysis in the creation of materials for the transmission of the results of a practical case.
- SM35 (Skill) Combine different techniques and methods of cartographic representation, computer graphics and spatial analysis in the creation of materials for the transmission of the results of a practical case.
Content
- The Practical Work
- Introduction
- A Bit of History
- Fundamentals
- Effective Communication
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Project work and exercises inside the classroom, solving problems and doubts, receiving direct guidance from the teacher. | 47 | 1.88 | |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Autonomous work on projects and exercises outside the classroom. | 25 | 1 | |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Reading and studying theoretical materials. | 75 | 3 |
The subject follows the teaching methodology known as "flipped class". Instead of following the traditional model of acquiring knowledge through lectures and then doing homework, the reverse class proposes to reverse this process. The teacher provides the students with the study materials so that they acquire the fundamental knowledge on their own. During the time in the classroom, the teacher focuses on practical activities, group discussions and problem solving so that students can clarify doubts and receive direct guidance from the teacher. This approach encourages the active participation of students, promotes critical thinking and the practical application of acquired knowledge.
Autonomous
Reading and study of materials and bibliography provided by the professor.
Supervised
Revision of manuals and tutorials of the software to be used for performing exercises.
Completing the practices started in class and applying the guidance provided by the teacher.
Directed
Performing practical exercises and classroom projects under the supervision of the teacher.
Part of the applied work for this course will be carried out in coordination with the project from the course Territorial and Environmental Laboratory: Project.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 30% | 3 | 0.12 | CM26, KM40 |
| Final project | 30% | 0 | 0 | CM26, KM40, SM35 |
| Practical exercises | 40% | 0 | 0 | SM35 |
Course Assessment
The course will be assessed based on the following components:
- Practical exercises, submitted throughout the course, accounting for 40% of the final grade. Exercises must be submitted within the deadline set by the instructor. Late submissions will be penalized.
- Group project, accounting for 30% of the final grade. This project is not eligible for resit.
- Theoretical exam, accounting for the remaining 30% of the final grade.
To pass the course, students must meet all three of the following requirements:
a) Obtain a minimum score of 5 out of 10 on the exam.
b) Obtain a minimum score of 5 out of 10 on the group project.
c) Obtain a minimum average score of 5 out of 10 on the practical exercises.
Exam Scheduling and Assignment Submission
Exam and assignment submission dates will be communicated in advance and will not be modified individually, except in justified and exceptional cases.
Exchange students (e.g., Erasmus) requesting to take an exam early must present an official justification issued by their home university.
The resit exam date will be set by the Faculty and cannot be changed.
Grade Review
Students may request a review of any grade through the established channels and within the deadline indicated by the instructor.
Resit
To be eligible for resit, students must have been previously assessed in activities representing at least two-thirds of the total grade.
Eligible for resit: the exam and practical exercises, through alternative tests or assignments proposed by the instructor.
Not eligible for resit: the final group project.
No activity in which irregularities have been detected may be resat.
Non-Assessable Students
Students who do not submit the final project or do not attend the exam will be considered Non-Assessable.
Plagiarism or Fraudulent Conduct
Any irregularity that may significantly affect the grade of an evaluative activity will result in an automatic grade of 0 for that activity, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings.
If more than one irregularity is detected in the same course, the final grade will be 0.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The use of AI technologies is permitted only as a support tool. Students are responsible for reviewing and validating any content generated with AI.
If structural, methodological, or conceptual errors attributable to unsupervised AI use are detected, it may be considered plagiarism or academic misconduct.
If deemed necessary by the instructor, students may be required to identify the parts generated with AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these influenced the process and final outcome.
Lack of transparency in the use of these tools will be considered academic dishonesty and may result in a grade penalty or, in serious cases, other sanctions in accordance with current regulations.
Single Assessment
This course does not offer a single assessment option.
Bibliography
Cairo, A. (2011). El Arte funcional : infografía y visualización de información. Alamut.
JOHN KANE (2012). MANUAL DE TIPOGRAFIA (2ª ED.). EDITORIAL GG. ISBN: 9788425225123
Josef Müller-Brockmann (2012). Sistemas de retículas. Un manual para diseñadores gráficos. Colección GGmoda. ISBN: 9788425225147
Software
Along the course, several softwares will be used:
- Geographical Information Systems: ArcGIS, Qgis.
- Office softwares: Powerpoint, Excel.
- Design softwares: https://inkscape.org/.
- CAD software: https://www.autodesk.com/
- Other online softwares: https://www.canva.com/, https://penpot.app/
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 11 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PLAB) Practical laboratories | 12 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |