Spatial Analysis and Modelling

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Key facts

UNE unit code: GISC433

*You are viewing the 2027 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start

Trimester 2 - Online

24/7 online support

Intensive schools

Supervised exam

Credit points

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

With increasing computing power and rapid innovation in modern data science, skilled professionals who can demonstrate mastery of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are in demand.

This unit introduces you to the key themes of GIS, building skills in the advanced aspects of GIS for spatial analysis and environmental modelling. Using these principles as a foundation, you will learn about uses for spatial modelling, such as modelling species diversity and distribution patterns, assessing climate change impacts, and general environmental modelling applications.

Topics include raster data analysis, data merging, overlay principles, intersect and union operations, buffer applications, and proximity analysis. You will also explore terrain analysis, including shaded relief views, site suitability analysis and network analysis.

Keep pace with new technologies in the field, including mobile GIS, and hone skills for solving complex problems in the real world.

Offerings

Teaching period	Mode/location
Trimester 2	Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites

EM334 or EM234 or GISC334; or candidature in a postgraduate award

Restrictions

EM333, EM433 or EM533

Notes

Students will be required to install the Windows ™- based software ArcGIS for Desktop. Student should ensure their Windows ™ computer meets ArcMap system requirements: https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/system-requirements/latest/arcgis-desktop-system-requirements.htm. While Apple™ computers using Bootcamp™ or virtualisation software such as Parallels™ can support ArcMap, UNE cannot guarantee Apple computer functionality.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Priyakant SinhaSenior Lecturer in Spatial Science, Remote Sensing and Spatial Science Applications - Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre; Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law; School of Environmental and Rural Science

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of spatial analysis by giving detailed examples of applications of GIS;
demonstrate sound knowledge of spatial analysis by describing how the real world is represented in a GIS;
demonstrate broad and coherent knowledge of spatial analysis by providing examples of analysis functions that can be performed in a GIS;
distinguish between raster and vector data models and independently identify the appropriate models for solving environmental problems;
discuss the principles of spatial analysis and GIS modelling; and communicate this knowledge to others using verbal, written and visual formats; and
exercise critical thinking and judgement in outlining the main problems associated with the use of a GIS to build models and provide examples of real world.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Title	Must Complete	Weight	Offerings	Assessment Notes
Online Quiz	Yes	20%	All offerings	A series of online quizzes. No. Words: 500 equivalent
Practical Exercises	Yes	30%	All offerings	Practical task utilising the ArcGIS Desktop software. No. Words: 1000 equivalent
Project Task - Assurance Task	Yes	50%	All offerings	This task comprises the following: Project: 30 marks Approximately 15 min presentation, followed by Q&A: 20 marks Oral assessments will be supervised via webcam and screen sharing technology. To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task and meet all other passing requirements in the unit.

Title

Must Complete

Weight

Offerings

Assessment Notes

Online Quiz

Yes

20%

All offerings

A series of online quizzes.

No. Words: 500 equivalent

Practical Exercises

Yes

30%

All offerings

Practical task utilising the ArcGIS Desktop software.

No. Words: 1000 equivalent

Project Task - Assurance Task

Yes

50%

All offerings

This task comprises the following:

Project: 30 marks

Approximately 15 min presentation, followed by Q&A: 20 marks

Oral assessments will be supervised via webcam and screen sharing technology.

To pass this unit, you must achieve at least 50% in this task and meet all other passing requirements in the unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

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

Geographic Information Science and Systems

ISBN: 9781118676950

Longley, Paul A., Goodchild, Michael F., Maguire, David J. and Rhind, David W., Wiley 4th ed. 2015

Note: This book is available in digital or paperback format. Either format is permitted.