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EM334 Introduction to GIS

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study Online Level
Armidale Semester 1 Off Campus B - Internet access required
Armidale Semester 1 On Campus B - Internet access required
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
07 April 2010 10 April 2010 Mandatory Off campus students ONLY: Choose either 4-day block
15 April 2010 18 April 2010 Mandatory Off campus students ONLY: Choose either 4-day block
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites any 24cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions EM234 or EM332 or EM534
Notes None
Combined Units EM534 - Introduction to GIS
Coordinator(s) Lalit Kumar (lkumar@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit is designed to provide an introduction to and an understanding of the basic concepts, procedures and applications of Geographical Information Systems. Subject matter includes: spatial data properties, map projection and coordinates, spatial data models and data structures, data collection and transformation, data manipulation and overlays, spatial statistics, Digital Terrain Models, spatial modelling, and display and mapping of geographic information in a computer-based environment. Students will develop basic and practical skills of handling spatial data in a specific GIS environment and analysing the usefulness of the technology in the fields of environmental and resource modelling and management, and urban and regional planning. EM534 is based on the undergraduate unit EM334 with additional load consisting of extra questions on assignments and examinations; candidates for EM534 are expected to demonstrate a greater level of understanding of the unit material than that required for EM334.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material

An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
ISBN: 9780131293175
Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and Carver, S., Pearson Education 3rd ed. 2006
Text refers to: Semester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Offer of some subjects is subject to viability. Information in these unit descriptions is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20% 1600
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Project 30% 2000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 4, 5 GA: 1, 2,4, 6, 8
Report 10%
Assessment Notes
Practical reports
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 2-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Final Examination 2 hrs 40%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Understand the differences between GIS and automated mapping software
  2. List and carry out common GIS analysis functions
  3. Link the GIS analysis capabilities to real life applications

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Lab projects and lecture examples cover applications from across the discipline and also look at the historical development of GIS and its effects on date dissemination. Students also look at examples to see how these have impacted on the advancement and development in various countries. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
Written: Project and practical reports. 		False True False
3 Global Perspectives
The integration of data from different sources and at different scales has a global perspective and this will be emphasised during lectures and group discussions. 		True False True
4 Information Literacy
The projects and class practicals will require group discussions and internet searches. 		False True False
5 Life-Long Learning
The principles and techniques taught in this unit will give students a good base knowledge in GIS and will be a great benefit in their professional development as Natural Resource Scientists. 		True False True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be taught how to collect, process and analyse data in order to solve environmental problems. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
This unit has a bias towards ecology and natural resource management so, where appropriate, relevance to conservation and sustainable land use will be linked to the practicals and projects. 		True False True
8 Team Work
Practicals, field work and projects will be carried out in small groups. 		True True True
   

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