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Unit of Study GLY03113 - Geographical Information Systems (2020)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Enrolment information

    While not a pre-requisite, students will will benefit from having prior experience or training in map preparation techniques. 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). The fundamental concepts of spatial analysis underpinning GIS will be applied in discipline or industry context. 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 complete a self-managed project that demonstrates 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

Map production

Problem identification and problem solving using GIS

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 apply characteristics, types, and processing of spatial data in problem solving
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 identify a problem in their discipline and use GIS to solve the problem
6 critically analyse limitations of GIS applications in terms of accuracy and scale in a GIS project.

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

  1. apply characteristics, types, and processing of spatial data in problem solving
    • 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. identify a problem in their discipline and use GIS to solve the problem
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
  6. critically analyse limitations of GIS applications in terms of accuracy and scale in a GIS project.
    • GA1:
    • GA4: