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  2. Geographical Information Systems [SCM2104]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

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.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems

  • Unit Code

    SCM2104

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit introduces the fundamental concepts and methods of geographical information systems (GIS) and outlines their roles in environmental science.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamental attributes of a geographical information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  2. Research and select suitable methods for representing spatial and attribute data and be aware of the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Use GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.
  4. Use selected computer hardware, peripherals and GIS software to carry out a range of spatial and analytical functions.
  5. Use the Internet and associated information technology to obtain and communicate spatial and attribute data.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of spatial information systems in environmental and resource management situations with examples drawn from areas such as forestry, agriculture, land use planning, environmental monitoring, and coastal zone management.
  2. Basic GIS operations: file formats, data formats and conversions, digital map production, map projections and rectification.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals, data sources, formats, communication, input, manipulation, databases, Internet systems, case studies involving the application of GIS to environmental sciences.
  4. GIS functionalities: spatial overlay, topology, buffering, network analysis.
  5. Methods for presentation of spatial data types and sources: basic cartographic principles, map-projections; map types and their production, rectification, interpretation and function; relationship of remotely sensed data to geographical information systems; data resolution, error and accuracy.
  6. Spatial information system selection; user needs assessment, system requirement analysis, benchmarking.
  7. Systems for managing data: data considerations, data custodianship, data security, copyright, metadata.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, computer laboratory workshops. Students write reports and make oral presentations. Students develop reports in a group situation and produce graphical presentations of spatial information using research and numeracy skills. The assessment tasks link theory and practice.

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay30%
ReportGroup report (written and oral presentation)30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Bernhardsen, T. (2002). Geographic information systems: An introduction (3rd ed.). Toronto: John Wiley & Sons.
  • DeMers, M.N. (2009). Fundamentals of geographic information systems. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Horning, N., et al. (2010). Remote sensing for ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques. Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • Journal of Environmental Management
  • International Journal of Geographical Information Systems
  • GEO World
  • GIS User

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

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.

SCM2104|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

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.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems

  • Unit Code

    SCM2104

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit introduces the fundamental concepts and methods of geographical information systems (GIS) and outlines their roles in environmental science.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamental attributes of a geographical information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  2. Research and select suitable methods for representing spatial and attribute data and be aware of the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Use GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.
  4. Use selected computer hardware, peripherals and GIS software to carry out a range of spatial and analytical functions.
  5. Use the Internet and associated information technology to obtain and communicate spatial and attribute data.

Unit Content

  1. Applications of spatial information systems in environmental and resource management situations with examples drawn from areas such as forestry, agriculture, land use planning, environmental monitoring, and coastal zone management.
  2. Basic GIS operations: file formats, data formats and conversions, digital map production, map projections and rectification.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals, data sources, formats, communication, input, manipulation, databases, Internet systems, case studies involving the application of GIS to environmental sciences.
  4. GIS functionalities: spatial overlay, topology, buffering, network analysis.
  5. Methods for presentation of spatial data types and sources: basic cartographic principles, map-projections; map types and their production, rectification, interpretation and function; relationship of remotely sensed data to geographical information systems; data resolution, error and accuracy.
  6. Spatial information system selection; user needs assessment, system requirement analysis, benchmarking.
  7. Systems for managing data: data considerations, data custodianship, data security, copyright, metadata.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, computer laboratory workshops. Students write reports and make oral presentations. Students develop reports in a group situation and produce graphical presentations of spatial information using research and numeracy skills. The assessment tasks link theory and practice.

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.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentEssay20%
Laboratory WorkWeekly Tutorial Quiz10%
ReportGroup report (written and oral presentation)30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Text References

  • ^ Bernhardsen, T. (2002). Geographic information systems: An introduction (3rd ed.). Toronto: John Wiley & Sons.
  • DeMers, M.N. (2009). Fundamentals of geographic information systems. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
  • Horning, N., et al. (2010). Remote sensing for ecology and conservation: a handbook of techniques. Oxford University Press.

Journal References

  • Journal of Environmental Management
  • GEO World
  • International Journal of Geographical Information Systems
  • GIS User

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

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.

SCM2104|1|2