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Unit of Study GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (2017)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a three day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. The timetable for the unit is available via the following URL http://scu.edu.au/students/index.php/15/

Unit description

Provides a conceptual understanding of spatial and non-spatial data used in a geographical information system (GIS). It introduces the fundamental concepts of spatial analysis. Students use vector and raster based GIS software (ArcGIS) to collect, edit, manage and analyse spatial and non-spatial data. Students will produce maps to a professional standard. They will explore the application of GIS in their discipline.

Unit content

Spatial data: projections and scale

Spatial data models: vector (topology) and raster

Spatial data capture (Collector for ArcGIS, GPS, data quality, metadata)

Non-spatial data and data management systems

Editing data

Spatial data analysis

3D representation of spatial data

Application of GIS in your discipline

Map production

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 2 Session 2
Online Session 2 N/A

Learning outcomes and graduate attributes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
Learning outcome count Learning outcome description GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 explain characteristics, types and processing of spatial data.
2 manage spatial and non-spatial data in Arc Catalogue and Arc Map
3 analyse vector and raster data using Arc Map
4 produce maps at a professional standard
5 describe how GIS is used as a tool in their discipline
6 critically analyse limitations of GIS applications in terms of accuracy and scale

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. explain characteristics, types and processing of spatial data.
    • GA4:
  2. manage spatial and non-spatial data in Arc Catalogue and Arc Map
    • GA4:
  3. analyse vector and raster data using Arc Map
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  4. produce maps at a professional standard
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  5. describe how GIS is used as a tool in their discipline
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  6. critically analyse limitations of GIS applications in terms of accuracy and scale
    • GA1:
    • GA4:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.