GEOG 2151 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOG 2151 Course Advanced Geographic Information Systems Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites GEST 2029, GEOG 2129, or SOIL&WAT 3007WT, or SOIL&WAT 3014WT Incompatible GEST 2051 Assessment Participation (10%), minor practical report (20%), major practical project (30%), exam (40%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Julie Franzon
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
At the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1 Perform sophisticated raster and vector GIS analysis in a GIS environment 2 Demonstrate understanding of the structure, advantages and limitations of raster datasets 3 Develop a broad appreciation of spatial analysis techniques and application areas 4 Develop specific skills in the construction and manipulation of raster data sets 5 Explore and solve spatial problems using GIS techniques and technology 6 Develop skills in the creation, management and delivery of spatial data in an online GIS environment University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 4, 5, 6 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 2, 3, 5 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 5, 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Book Title: An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (4th Edition)
Author: Ian Heywood, Sarah Cornelius, Steve Carver
Year: 2011
Publisher: Pearson Education Limited
ISBN-13: 978 0 273 72259 5
This book is available to purchase from Unibooks. The Barr Smith Library also holds one reserve copy, with two available for general borrowing. Readings are set for all lectures and some workshops, and are expected to be completed BEFORE the lecture or workshop. The 3rd Edition of this textbook can also be used in 2013.
Optional/Alternative Textbook
Book Title: Geographical Information Systems
Author: Julie Delaney and Kimberley Van Niel
Year: 2008
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN-13: 978-0-195-55607-0
Copies of this book are also available to purchase from Unibooks. This book is useful as it is written be Australian authors and provides Australian examples of GIS in action.Online Learning
MyUni provides students with course materials, announcements and many other features to help manage their study. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The course is taught in a 3-hour seminar each week which incorporates both theory (lecture material) and practice in an integrated and flexible schedule which allows practical experience to align very closely with theoretical learning. Because of the integrated and interactive nature of these sessions it is important that students commit to attending all sessions.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
1 x 3-hour seminar (or equivalent) per week 36 hours per semester 6 hours exam/assignment preparation per week 72 hours per semester 4 hours reading/research per week 48 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Lecture and Workshop Program WEEK Lecture PRACTICAL Week 1 Course introduction and overview. Introductory GIS Revision. Review of vector analysis techniques. Week 2 Feeding a GIS
MetadataThe geodatabase (review) Distance analysis – obesity and fast food Week 3 Concepts of Raster GIS Working with Raster Data Week 3 Spatial Information Day - www.spatialinformationday.org.au
1 day conference for the spatial industry in SA.
You're strongly encouraged to go if you can!Week 4 Raster Analysis Techniques Raster data management Week 5 Topographic Modelling Raster data analysis Week 6 No Lecture - Raster Modelling 1 & 2 Week 7 Surface and Hydrological Modelling DEMs and Hydrological Modelling Week 8 Network analysis Network analysis MID SEMESTER BREAK Week 9 Web based GIS Web based GIS Prepare for Field Data Collection Week 10 No Lecture
Web based GIS Field Data Collection. M
ap PreparationWeek 11 Guest Lecture (TBA) Remote Sensing Working with Landsat 8 Imagery Week 12 Course Review. Assignment Work
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome Minor practical report Formative and Summative 20% 2-5 Major practical report Formative and Summative 40% 1-5 Exam Summative 40% 1-5 Assessment Related Requirements
Students must complete and submit all assessment components (including the exam) to be eligible to pass this course.Assessment Detail
Minor Practical Report (20%)
This practical assignment is designed as a refresher in basic GIS operations and spatial thinking. It involves the application of vector spatial analysis techniques to address a range of research questions.
Major Practical Report (40%)
The practical assignment requires students to apply the GIS knowledge and techniques they have learnt in seminars construct a raster model of fire risk in the Adelaide Hills area. This assignment tests your ability to work independently in using the GIS software and new techniques, and through presentation of the results of your analysis in a formal report, you will be able to demonstrate your understanding of spatial relationships and data issues.
Formal Examination (40%)
There will be a 2 hour examination held during the formal exam period. It will be an open book exam and may be conducted at Wayville showgrounds OR in-house (to be negotiated). The exam will consist of 2 sections addressing both the theoretical and practical aspects of the course. Question choice will be provided in both sections.Submission
Practical Assignments must be lodged electronically using MyUni – this enables checking of the assignment through a plagiarism detection program.
Late Submissions
The penalty for late submission is 5% per business day (or part thereof). Assignments submitted after 12pm on the due date will attract an immediate 5% penalty.
Extensions
Extensions maybe granted for medical or compassionate grounds only and requests should be accompanied by documentation (medical certificate or similar).Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
