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Unit of Study GLY03113 - Geographical Information Systems (2016)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    There will be a three day compulsory residential workshop for Distance Education (i.e. external) students that will be held on the Lismore campus. Please refer to the external residential timetable which can be found on the Environment, Science and Engineering Student Centre in MySCU.

Unit description

Gives conceptual background and empirical experience with Geographical Information Systems (GIS), introducing and applying fundamental concepts of GIS, spatial data and spatial analysis. Students experience, via hands-on use of industry standard software, how GIS is used to store, analyse, visualise and communicate patterns of spatial information. Applications in environmental science and related fields are explored and a key component is the completion of a student designed GIS analysis. The unit requires students to demonstrate innovation and the ability to critically analyse contemporary issues in the field.

Unit content

  • Maps and spatial information 
  • Maps and spatial data models 
  • Getting data into a GIS 
  • Spatial data management
  • Analysis of data in a GIS 
  • Topographic analysis and data visualisation 
  • Environmental modelling
  • GIS in the real world 
  • Current trends in GIS

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 use Arc Catalog, Arcmap & Spatial Analyst modules of ArcGIS
3 develop applications for using GIS as a tool in environmental management
4 manage and analyse spatial data.

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

  1. explain characteristics, types, and processing of spatial data
    • GA4:
  2. use Arc Catalog, Arcmap & Spatial Analyst modules of ArcGIS
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  3. develop applications for using GIS as a tool in environmental management
    • GA1:
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  4. manage and analyse spatial data.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts
  • No prescribed texts.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.