GEOG 3027 - Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course builds upon the foundation GIS knowledge and skills acquired at the introductory level and guides students in the development of increasingly sophisticated spatial analysis capabilities. Theory will include detail of the principles that underpin the spatial modelling and analysis techniques employed in the practical exercises. The course has a strong practical focus, and students will gain experience in field data collection; network analysis; and the construction, manipulation and interpretation of raster data sets in a GIS environment. Students will learn how to interpret and present the results of spatial data analysis through high-quality reports.

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Course Details

Course Code	GEOG 3027
Course	Advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Coordinating Unit	Geography, Environment and Population
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours a week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	GEOG 2129 or SOIL&WAT 3020WT or SOIL&WAT 3007WT or SPATIAL 3020WT or SPATIAL 3007WT or another introductory GIS course approved by the Course Coordinator plus another 3 units of Level II undergraduate study
Assumed Knowledge	It will be assumed students have proficiency at research and written skills for Level III as well as basic familiarity with GIS systems
Assessment	Workshop portfolio, Minor practical report, Major practical report

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor John Tibby

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. To perform sophisticated raster and vector GIS analysis in a GIS environment;
2. To understand the structure, advantages and limitations of raster datasets;
3. To develop a broad appreciation of spatial analysis techniques and application areas;
4. To develop specific skills in the construction and manipulation of raster data sets;
5. Be able to explore and solve spatial problems using GIS techniques and technology
6. To develop skills in the creation, management and delivery of spatial data in an online GIS environment
7. To learn how to interpret and present the results of spatial data analysis through high quality reports

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)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2,3,4 ,5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1,2 ,3,4 ,5 ,6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	4, 5, 6
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	3,4 ,5, 6
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1,2 ,3,4 , 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: Prentice-Hall
ISBN-13: 978 0 273 72259 5

Adelaide Uni Library:
- Two online copies of this book are available from the Adelaide University Library as single use eBooks (i.e. only one person at a time can access each one).
- The Barr Smith Library also holds 7 print copies, with three of these in the High Use Collection available for short term (3 hour) loan.
- The Waite Library has 1 print copy.
It is highly recommended that you purchase your own copy of this book.
Make sure you order the book by Heywood - there are other books with the same title by other authors!

It is available from Dymocks:
- eBook for $63.59
- hardcopy for $108.99
Readings are set for all lectures and some workshops, and are expected to be completed BEFORE the lecture or workshop.
Recommended Resources

Optional/Alternative Textbook

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.

Other Recommended Resources

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.

Book Title: Geographic Information Science & Systems (4th Edition)
Author: Paul A. Longley, Michael F. Goodchild, David J. Maguire, David W. Rhind.
Year: 2015
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 978-1-119-03130-7

There are currently three copies in the Barr Smith Library.

Book Title: The Routledge Handbook of Mapping and Cartography
Editors: Alexander J. Kent and Peter Vujakovic
Year: 2017
Publisher: Routledge
eBook ISBN: 9781317568223

eBook available in the library.
More recent. Some sections useful, but a bit heavy in places.

Any similar basic GIS text would also be appropriate.

Online Learning

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 Modes

Lectures supported by problem-solving workshops which develop lecture material.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week	12 hours per semester
1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week	24 hours per semester
3 hours reading per week	36 hours per semester
2 hours research per week	24 hours per semester
2 hours assignment preparation per week	24 hours per semester
TOTAL WORKLOAD: 10 hours per week	120 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

This is indicative of the lecture and workshop activities. There may be some variation.

Week	Lecture	Workshop
1	Course Outline / Intro GIS Revision	Vector Spatial Analysis
2	Metadata and Spatial Data Source	The Geodatabase / Distance Calculation
3	Concepts of Raster GIS	Working with Raster Data
4	Raster Analysis Techniques	Raster Data Management and Analysis
5	More Raster Operations and Functions	More Raster Data Analysis
6	Topographic Modelling & Process Modelling	Raster Modelling
7	Drones in Policing	Raster Modelling(continued)
8	Surface and Hydrological Modelling	Topographic Surface Analysis
9	GIS and the Web	Field Data Collection
10	Drones in Environmental Management	Mapping Field Data
11	Linear Networks	Network Analysis
12	Course Review	Major Report Assistance

Specific Course Requirements

This course requires that you have completed an approved introductory GIS course using ArcGIS software (e.g. GEOG 2129: Introductory GIS).

It assumes you have a basic level of computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Windows, Word and Excel.

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	Weighting
Workshop Portfolio (in 3 parts)	30%
Minor Practical Report	30%
Major Practical Report	40%

Assessment Related Requirements

Students will need access to GIS labs/computer rooms and relevant software. This will be provided by the University.

Assessment Detail

You must complete and submit for assessment all of the components. If you fail to complete all components, you may receive a Fail grade regardless of your achievement in the completed assessment components.

Weekly Lecture and Workshop Portfolio - 30%
Most weekly workshops will include an assessment task which allows students to demonstrate both the successful completion of the workshop tasks, and their understanding and application of the skills and techniques which they are learning week by week. Most weeks there is also a component of short questions based on the lecture material. Full details of the assessment task are made available each week. Many of these assessment tasks will be completed in the workshop. Students will record their answers in a portfolio to be submitted in 3 parts throughout the course.

Minor Practical Report - 30%
This report is based on a revision of the Vector GIS analysis skills students should have learnt in your Intorductory GIS course.
It will help develop their research and report writing skills. It requires students to apply the knowledge and vector GIS techniques they have learnt to conduct a GIS analysis of Stormwater and Road Networks in the Onkaparinga Catchment near Adelaide. This assignment tests student ability to work independently in using basic GIS skills and techniques, and through presentation of the results of the analysis in a formal report, to demonstrate an understanding of spatial relationships and data issues. Full details will be provided separately. All documents and data will be available on MyUni.

Major Practical Report - 40%
This report is based on the Raster GIS analysis skills students have learnt in this course.
It will further develop their research and report writing skills. It requires students to apply the knowledge and raster GIS techniques they have learnt to one of two projects:

Climate Change Vulnerability on the Fleurieu Peninsula
Site Selection of a New Police Station in Metropolitan Adelaide

This assignment tests student ability to work independently in using more advanced GIS skills and techniques, and through presentation of the results of the analysis in a formal report, to demonstrate an understanding of spatial relationships and data issues. Full details will be provided separately. All documents and data will be available on MyUni.

Submission

All assessments will be submitted via MyUni.

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.

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.

SELT feedback from recent years has led to the allocation of some assessment marks towards the weekly workshops. Review of indivudal course components is undertaken each year following student comments/discussion throughout the course as well as the formal SELT process.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator