Spatial Analysis Essentials

Department

Bachelor's program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

Course unit code

IEL-B-3+5-WPM-IEL

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5.0

Name of lecturer(s)

Dr. van Kooten Willemijn, Dr. Schifferle Lukas, MSc BSc

Mode of delivery

distance learning/e-learning

Recommended optional program components

none

Additional information about examination modalities

Short written assignments and an individual project

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

5

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able to:
• Identify and understand spatial data types, formats and sources.
• Navigate and operate within QGIS to load, adapt and manage spatial datasets, including external data sources.
• Apply core concepts of spatial analysis in QGIS practically to analyze spatial relationships and solve spatial problems.
• Visualize spatial data through e.g., maps, charts and dashboards in order to communicate the information effectively.
• Solve small case studies with real-world spatial problems.
• Automate geospatial workflows in QGIS using Python scripting.

Prerequisites and co-requisites

None

Course contents

• Introduction to spatial data, including data types and formats
• Geographic information systems and QGIS as open-source GIS software
• Spatial data sources and their integration into (Q)GIS
• Fundamentals of spatial analysis, including core concepts, spatial relationships and spatial queries
• Visualization of spatial data
• Automation and scripting in QGIS using Python
• Hands-on practical exercises in QGIS during lectures
• Asynchronous small case studies for self-paced learning

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none