GEOG 5007 - Applied Spatial Analysis
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018
This course challenges students with existing skills in data manipulation and analysis using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to expand their knowledge of spatial information science and GIS procedures. Students will develop and apply advanced data analysis techniques to propose, construct and carry out a major research project in an area of interest. The theoretical foundation of the principles behind GIS analysis are covered in some depth, while practical sessions guide students in the development of increasingly sophisticated spatial analysis capabilities.
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOG 5007 Course Applied Spatial Analysis Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population Term Semester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 6 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible GEST 5007 Assumed Knowledge GEOG 3027 or equivalent experience with GIS Assessment 1000 word research proposal seminar (20%), 2000 word theoretical essay (20%), 6000 word major practical project (60%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Dorothy Turner
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
This is the coursework for Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027).
One lecture and one two hour workshop a week for 12 weeks.
Please ENROL in the Lecture and one workshop session regardless of your GIS background.
Students who have completed:
- Introduction to GIS (GEOG 2019) but not Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027) - MUST complete this coursework;
- Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- GIS for Environmental Mgmt (SOIL&WAT or SPATIAL 3007WT) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- GIS for Ag&NRM (SOIL&WAT or SPATIAL 3020WT) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- Other GIS courses - compulsory completion of coursework to be decided by course coordinator.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Understand GIS concepts and spatial analysis techniques in an interdisciplinary setting;
2. Identify and source data for use in evidence-based decision making;
3. Apply ArcGIS for spatial data preparation, analysis and visualisation with sophisticated skills of vector and raster processing;
4. Demonstrate proficiency in integrating GIS data analysis with simple statistical analysis;
5. Demonstrate ability to conduct a GIS research project in the area of their choice.University Graduate Attributes
No information currently available.
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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 online from the Adelaide University Library and 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 workshopRecommended Resources
Book Title: Geographical Information Systems (2nd Edition).
Author: Julie Delaney and Kimberley Van Niel
Year: 2007
Publisher: Oxford University Press ISBN-13: 978-0-195-55607-0
There are 3 copies of this book at the Barr Smith Library (1 reserve and 2 for general borrowing) and 1 copy at Waite Campus Library. 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.
Supplementary reading in additional GIS texts is highly recommended to improve understanding of the concepts and procedures behind the theory and practice to which students are exposed each week.
The Barr Smith Library maintains a Resource Guide for GIS/Spatial Information Systems at:
libguides.adelaide.edu.au/geography/gis
This list includes a number of general and specialist texts from which students can choose to support and extend the weekly readings and prepare for the examination.
In addition, I particularly recommend:
Book Title: Geographic Information Analysis (2nd edition)
Author: David O’Sullivan, David Unwin
Year: 2010
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN-13: 978-0-470-28857-3
This book is available online from the Adelaide University Library. There are currently also two copies in the Barr Smith Library.
Book Title: Principles of Geographical Information Systems
Author: Peter Burrough, Rachael McDonnell
Year: 1998
Publisher: Oxford UP
ISBN 0198233663
There is currently 3 copies available (one each at the Barr Smith Library, Roseworthy Campus Library and Waite Campus Library).
This is a much older text, but very good. Any similar basic GIS text would also be appropriate.Online Learning
MyUni
All lectures will be recorded and available through MyUni.
All lecture slides, workshop instructions and workshop data will also be available through MyUni.
Online Textbooks
There are a variety of online texts available, some of which are extremely comprehensive.
• www.spatialanalysisonline.com – 5th Edition, 2015 - Extremely comprehensive text by Michael De Smith, Mike Goodchild and Paul Longley;
• natureofgeoinfo.org – An open geospatial textbook edited by David DiBiase, hosted by Penn State University;
• giscommons.org – GIS Commons: an introductory textbook on GIS by Michael Schmandt, Sacramento State University;
• www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/contents.html - “The Geographer’s Craft”. Older online text compiled by Kenneth Foote;
• www.esri.com/industries/ebooks - an excellent source of free E-books on a wide variety of GIS topics. Covers the application of GIS in a wide range of industry sectors.
Websites
• www.gis.com - a good overview of GIS and geographic thinking. Includes glossary and career links;
• www.esri.com – students should familiarise themselves with this website, particularly the
Support and News sections. It is recommended that you follow the use and developments of the software under the Publications area of the News section.
Other websites as presented during lectures/workshops
Software
The specialist GIS software – ArcGIS - used in this course is available throughout many of the teaching labs throughout the University which are only open 8am – 6pm.
You should find that ArcGIS is installed in the following locations:
• All Students: Hub Central suites
• Science Students: Any of the science faculty suites
• Humanities Students: Napier 106, Napier 107 and Napier 202.
Please take into account the access restrictions when planning your assignment work.
The software is also available for home use or on other university computers through APAPT. Please contact Technology Services or the course coordinator if you are having problems accessing this.
Hardware
It is strongly recommended that you do all coursework on your U drive as this can be accessed from any university computer, or from your home computer through ADAPT, and is regularly backed up. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course consists of one lecture and one two-hour practical workshop per week followed by independent research work.
Coursework:
The coursework is that of Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027).
Students who have completed:
- Introduction to GIS (GEOG 2019) but not Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027) - MUST complete this coursework;
- Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- GIS for Environmental Mgmt (SOIL&WAT or SPATIAL 3007WT) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- GIS for Ag&NRM (SOIL&WAT or SPATIAL 3020WT) - should attend and complete this coursework as a means of revision;
- Other GIS courses - compulsory completion of coursework to be decided by course coordinator.
Classes will be held each week, including weeks 1 and 12.
Because of the integrated and interactive nature of these classes it is important that those students who must complete the coursework commit to attending all sessions.
Independent Research:
An independent research project will be negotiated for each student with the course coordinator.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
You will need to allocate appropriate time for your study (contact and non-contact time). University policies suggest that for a 6-unit course that there should be 20-24 hours of learning activities per week:
Structured learning/contact time (lectures and workshops) 3 hours per week Reading/research 8 hours per week Assignment preparation 8 hours per week Workshop preparation 2 hours per week Learning Activities Summary
This course challenges students with existing skills in data manipulation and analysis using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to expand their knowledge of spatial information science and GIS procedures. Students will develop and apply advanced data analysis techniques to propose, construct and carry out a major research project in an area of interest. The theoretical foundation of the principles behind GIS analysis are covered in some depth, while practical sessions guide students in the development of increasingly sophisticated spatial analysis capabilities.Specific Course Requirements
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent.
Students must also have completed one of the following:
- Introduction to GIS (GEOG 2019) and preferably also Advanced GIS (GEOG 3027);
- GIS for Environmental Mgmt (SOIL&WAT 3007WT or SPATIAL 3007WT);
- GIS for Ag & NRM (SOIL&WAT 3020WT or SPATIAL 3020WT);
- Other GIS courses approved by the Course Coordinator
Small Group Discovery Experience
Students will undertake small group discovery activities via the workshops and group work. -
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
Research Proposal
20%
1,000 word research proposal
Essay
20%
2,000 word theoretical essay
Major Practical Report
60%
6,000 word major practical project reportAssessment Related Requirements
The course coordinator will determine if you must attend the Advanced GIS coursework (GEOG 3027).
All students should attend this coursework for revision purposes.
The workshop assessments will not count towards the final marks for the Masters course.
Assessment Detail
Research Proposal
20%
1,000 word research proposal.
Students will conduct an independent research project to apply and deepen the GIS skills. Several research topics will be provided but students are encouraged to define their own topics of interest and start to liaise with industry and government.
Essay
20%
2,000 word theoretical essay.
Students will be given individual topics to research.
Major Practical Report
60%
6,000 word major practical project report.
Students will conduct an independent research project to apply and deepen the GIS skills. Several research topics will be provided but students are encouraged to define their own topics of interest and start to liaise with industry and government. Research projects will be supported individually during the semester.Submission
There will be penalties for late submission so make sure extensions are negotiated with the coordinator.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.
