Program Overview

Unit of Study GLY03113 - Geographical Information Systems

Unit Snapshot

• Unit type: PG Coursework Unit
• Credit points: 12
• AQF level: 9
• Level of learning: Intermediate
• Former School/College: Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering
• Anti-requisites: GLY00223 - Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• Enrolment information: There will be a 3-day compulsory residential for Online students that will be held on the Lismore campus.

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 (Collector for ArcGIS, GPS, data quality, metadata)
• Non-spatial data and data management systems
• Editing data
• Spatial data analysis
• 3D representation of spatial data
• Map production
• Problem identification and problem solving using GIS

Availabilities

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.

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

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.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Session 2

• Prescribed Texts: No prescribed texts.
• Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Graduate Attributes

• GA1: Intellectual rigour - A commitment to excellence in all scholarly and intellectual activities, including critical judgement.
• GA2: Creativity - An ability to develop creative and effective responses to intellectual, professional and social challenges.
• GA3: Ethical practice - A commitment to sustainability and high ethical standards in social and professional practices.
• GA4: Knowledge of a discipline - Command of a discipline to enable a smooth transition and contribution to professional and community settings.
• GA5: Lifelong learning - The ability to be responsive to change, to be inquiring and reflective in practice, through information literacy and autonomous, self-managed learning.
• GA6: Communication and social skills - The ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional and community settings.
• GA7: Cultural competence - An ability to engage with diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in both global and local settings.