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Location Domestic International
Lismore Session 1 Session 1
Online Session 1 N/A

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Introductory

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Unit aim

Introduces mapping techniques for providing the data upon which informed decisions in resource management and other environmental investigations are based. A range of techniques are addressed and these entail collection and collation of information from both original (field surveys, aerial photographs and remotely sensed data) and secondary (archival material, particularly in the form of maps) sources. You are introduced to principles and skills required for the collection and presentation of resource data.

Unit content

The following topics will be discussed:
1. Work Health and Safety practices
2. Introduction to geographical techniques in resource assessment 
3. The nature and use of maps, map interpretation and data extraction 
4. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) 
5. Geographic Information Systems
6. Surveying and basic skills in survey techniques 
7. Aerial photography and interpretation 
8. Web based mapping - the future of maps

Learning outcomes

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.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate map literacy and interpretation skills
2 perform techniques required for producing basic maps, including the skills to interpret and extract information from remotely sensed data (aerial photographs) and basic field surveying
3 work in teams to collect and collate field data in a safe and efficient manner in order to locate, define and describe a study area
4 critically analyse the accuracy, relevance and suitability of maps
5 produce a map and report of a basic standard.

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

  1. demonstrate map literacy and interpretation skills
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  2. perform techniques required for producing basic maps, including the skills to interpret and extract information from remotely sensed data (aerial photographs) and basic field surveying
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  3. work in teams to collect and collate field data in a safe and efficient manner in order to locate, define and describe a study area
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  4. critically analyse the accuracy, relevance and suitability of maps
    • GA4:
    • GA6:
  5. produce a map and report of a basic standard.
    • GA2:
    • GA4:
    • GA6:

Prescribed texts

  • No prescribed texts.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.