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Unit of Study GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (2020)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    While not a pre-requisite, students will greatly benefit from having studied SUR00201 - Environmental Mapping prior to this unit where possible. There will be a three day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to http://scu.edu.au/timetables for further information on timetables.

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 (GPS, data quality, metadata)
Non-spatial data and data management systems
Editing data
Spatial data analysis
Representation of spatial data
Application of GIS in your discipline
Map production

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2020

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 ArcGIS
3 analyse vector and raster data using ArcMap
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 ArcGIS
    • GA4:
  3. analyse vector and raster data using ArcMap
    • 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: