1. Basic information
This syllabus is ratified by the Education Committee of the Faculty of Science 2012. The syllabus is valid from 2012-09-01. The course is at the advanced level (A1N).
2. General information
The course is part of the internet based programme ‘GIS and Earth Observation for Environmental modeling and Natural resource management’ (iGEON). The course is an elective for the double degree: Master of Science in Geographical Information Science and Earth Observation, University of Twente, Faculty ITC, the Netherlands and Master of Science in Geographical Information Science of Lund University, Sweden. The course is also given as a single subject course. The language of instruction is English. The course is fully based on distance learning, with all material distributed over the Internet. It is flexible in the sense that students can study full time (100%), half time (50%), or with a 25% study tempo.
The course is part of the main field of study in Physical Geography and Ecosystems Science at the Faculty of Science. The course is an elective course on advanced level for a Master’s degree in Geographical Information Science, Faculty of Science, Lund University, Sweden.
3. Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is that students, after having successfully completed the course, should have acquired the following knowledge, understanding and skills:
Knowledge and understanding
After the course the student is expected to:
- Be familiar with the overall concept of sustainable tourism, as well as related concepts
- Understand the principles that underpin sustainable tourism
- Be aware of the complexity and conflicts between the different stakeholders as regard different land use
- Be able to identify impacts from tourism in an ecological perspective
- Understand the potentials of a GIS in developing a planning and management tool for sustainable tourism
Proficiency and skills
After the course the student is expected to be able to:
- In practice coordinate a simple Tourism Decision Support System in a GIS environment,
- Perform a spatial sensitivity analysis based on a natural area’s physical and biological properties with respect to ecological sensitivity,
- Collect/use field data for the assessment, analysis and visualization of tourism impact in a GIS.
Attitude and ability to appraise
After the course the student is expected to be able to:
- Critically discuss and problematize the concept of ecological sensitivity in the context of sustainable tourism planning.
- Describe how the planning and management of tourism can be performed in sensitive environments.
- Assimilate, critically evaluate and discuss scientific publications in the field of sustainable tourism and recreational planning
- Critically examine and conclude accuracy as well as topicality of geographical source data
- Critically examine and evaluate analysis results of geographical data as regard tourism and recreational planning.
4. Course contents
The course consists of the following parts:
- Types of Natural Area Tourism.
- Sustainable tourism; concepts, definitions and conflicts.
- Planning, handling and management of tourism in sensitive landscapes.
- Conflicts between tourism development, economic development and the environment at regional and local scale.
- Tourism Decision Support System in a GIS; Digital maps and databases for planning.
- Mapping of ecological sensitivity in natural areas.
- Mapping and analyzing tourism environmental impact, such as hiking trail conditions
5. Teaching and assessment
Teaching consists of lectures, practical and theoretical exercises and seminars. Exercises and seminars are compulsory.
Examination is in the form of a written exam, and through approved individual exercises.
6. Grades
Students are graded for the course according to the following levels: High Pass (distinction), Passed, and Failed.
In order to pass the course the student is required to have passed the exam, all compulsory exercises, and to have participated in all compulsory course elements.
The final grade for the course is determined by the result of the written exam and the practical exercises.
7. Entrance qualifications
The following are required for admission to the course: Basic admission requirements of Lund University, and at least 1.5 years full time studies at university level, including iGEON compulsory courses of semester 1 and 2 (35 ECTS).
8. Literature
According to a list established by the department, available at least five weeks before the start of the course.