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EM534 Introduction to GIS

Updated: 16 January 2013
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions EM234 or EM332 or EM334
Notes
Combined Units EM334 - 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.
Important Information

Where calculators are permitted in examinations, it must be selected from an approved list, which can be accessed from the Further Information link below.

Further information
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems
ISBN: 9780273722595
Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and Carver, S., Pearson Education 4th revised ed. 2011
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 20% 3000
Assessment Notes
Essay
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1,2, 3, GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Project 20% 2000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 4, 5, 6, GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8
Report 20%
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: 1-6 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. explain the principles and use the vocabulary of GIS;
  2. describe common analytical capabilities of modern GIS;
  3. understand the differences between GIS and automated mapping software;
  4. list and carry out common GIS analysis functions;
  5. link the GIS analysis capabilities to real life applications; and
  6. apply appropriate GIS methods for problem solving and be aware of organisational issues of GIS development and implementation.

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. 		True
3 Global Perspectives
The integration of data from different sources and at different scales has a global perspective and this will be emphasized during lectures and group discussions. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
The projects and class practicals will require group discussions and internet searches. 		True
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 True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be taught how to collect, process and analyze 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 True
8 Team Work
Practicals, field work and projects will be carried out in small groups. 		True True True
   

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