1. Home
  2. Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing [SCI6105]

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2020 Units. Students will be notified of all approved modifications by Unit Coordinators via email and Unit Blackboard sites. Where changes have been made, these are designed to ensure that you still meet the unit learning outcomes in the context of our adjusted teaching and learning arrangements.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing

  • Unit Code

    SCI6105

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr David John BLAKE

Description

This unit examines the fundamental principles and methods underlying the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental science. It outlines the components and capabilities of a GIS and how these systems are used in business, industry and by government for solving complex spatial problems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a range of advanced GIS analytical methods to solve complex spatial problems.
  2. Critique the different methods for representing spatial and attribute data and expound upon the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  4. Examine, interpret and communicate spatial and attribute data using the internet and associated information technology.
  5. Identify and describe the fundamental attributes of a geographic information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  6. Identify suitable remote sensing products to be used in GIS analysis for the environmental sciences.
  7. Outline the physical basis of remote sensing, particularly with respect to electromagnetic energy interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and surface features.
  8. Selectively apply GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.

Unit Content

  1. Basic GIS functionalities and models.
  2. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals.
  4. Methods for presentation of spatial data.
  5. Physical basis of remote sensing.
  6. Principles of aerial/satelliteimagery and aerial/satelliteimage interpretation.
  7. Spatial information system selection.
  8. Systems for managing data, data consideration, data custodianship, data security, copyright andmetadata.

Learning Experience

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-line lectures, e-learning and support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkWeekly Topic Quiz30%
EssayReview40%
AssignmentGIS Modelling30%

Core Reading(s)

  • Bolstad, P. (2016). GIS Fundamentals: A first text on Geographic Information Systems. (5th ed.). Minnesota: Eider Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/956876554
  • Horning, N., & al. (2010). Remote sensing for ecology and conservation: A handbook of techniques. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/489631615?databaseList=638

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI6105|1|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that given the circumstances of COVID-19, there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for this unit. All assessment changes will be published by 27 July 2020. All students are reminded to check handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing

  • Unit Code

    SCI6105

  • Year

    2020

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    Online

  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr David John BLAKE

Description

This unit examines the fundamental principles and methods underlying the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental science. It outlines the components and capabilities of a GIS and how these systems are used in business, industry and by government for solving complex spatial problems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a range of advanced GIS analytical methods to solve complex spatial problems.
  2. Critique the different methods for representing spatial and attribute data and expound upon the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  4. Examine, interpret and communicate spatial and attribute data using the internet and associated information technology.
  5. Identify and describe the fundamental attributes of a geographic information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  6. Identify suitable remote sensing products to be used in GIS analysis for the environmental sciences.
  7. Outline the physical basis of remote sensing, particularly with respect to electromagnetic energy interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and surface features.
  8. Selectively apply GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.

Unit Content

  1. Basic GIS functionalities and models.
  2. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals.
  4. Methods for presentation of spatial data.
  5. Physical basis of remote sensing.
  6. Principles of aerial/satelliteimagery and aerial/satelliteimage interpretation.
  7. Spatial information system selection.
  8. Systems for managing data, data consideration, data custodianship, data security, copyright andmetadata.

Learning Experience

Students will engage in learning experiences through ECU Blackboard as well as additional ECU learning technologies.

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-line lectures, e-learning and support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkWeekly Topic Quiz30%
EssayReview40%
AssignmentGIS Modelling30%

Core Reading(s)

  • Bolstad, P. (2016). GIS Fundamentals: A first text on Geographic Information Systems. (5th ed.). Minnesota: Eider Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/956876554
  • Horning, N., & al. (2010). Remote sensing for ecology and conservation: A handbook of techniques. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://ecu.on.worldcat.org/oclc/489631615?databaseList=638

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI6105|1|2