SLE332 - Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Scientists

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne)
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SQB331
Unit Chair:Trimester 2: Desley Whisson
Cohort rule:Nil
Prerequisite:

One of SLE202 or SLE239 or SLE226 or SLE216 or SLE237

Corequisite:Nil
Incompatible with: SLE732
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

1 x 1 hour online lecture per week, 6 x 2 hour practical experience (computer practical) per trimester.

Content

The principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application to environmental science will be described. The unit will cover spatial data types and their collection, organisation, manipulation and integration, managing GIS projects, spatial analysis and display. Student will complete practical exercises to achieve basic competency in widely used GIS software. They will then apply their knowledge and skills to create their own GIS to address a real environmental question.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Describe the principles of Geographic Information Systems and its application to the field of environmental science.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Apply widely used GIS software for the integration analysis and display of spatial data.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO3

Collect spatial data and describe its errors and limitations.

GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking

ULO4

Design a GIS that integrates real world data from different sources to evaluate or predict spatial phenomena, and to resolve environmental issues or questions.

GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO5

Communicate the results of a GIS analysis in map and written report form.

GLO2: Communication

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Quiz
Online quiz 10% Week 5
Assessment 2
GIS exercises
5 GIS outputs (map and/or answers to task questions) 20% (5 x 4%) Week 6
Assessment 3
GIS applications
2000 word written report 20% Week 8
Assessment 4
GIS project
3000 word written report and digital project 50% Week 11

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE332 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place.

For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.