School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

Please note that there may be some modifications to the assessment schedule promoted in Handbook for Semester 1 2023 Units. All assessment changes will be published by 20th February 2023. All students are reminded to check the handbook at the beginning of semester to ensure they have the correct outline.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
  • Unit Code

    SCI6105
  • Year

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr David John BLAKE

Description

This unit examines the fundamental principles and methods underlying the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental science. It outlines the components and capabilities of a GIS and how these systems are used in business, industry and by government for solving complex spatial problems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a range of advanced GIS analytical methods to solve complex spatial problems.
  2. Critique the different methods for representing spatial and attribute data and expound upon the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  4. Examine, interpret and communicate spatial and attribute data using the internet and associated information technology.
  5. Identify and describe the fundamental attributes of a geographic information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  6. Identify suitable remote sensing products to be used in GIS analysis for the environmental sciences.
  7. Outline the physical basis of remote sensing, particularly with respect to electromagnetic energy interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and surface features.
  8. Selectively apply GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.

Unit Content

  1. Basic GIS functionalities and models.
  2. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals.
  4. Methods for presentation of spatial data.
  5. Physical basis of remote sensing.
  6. Principles of aerial/satelliteimagery and aerial/satelliteimage interpretation.
  7. Spatial information system selection.
  8. Systems for managing data, data consideration, data custodianship, data security, copyright andmetadata.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 3 hour workshopNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus and on-line lectures, workshops and technology enhanced learning.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLearning Module Quizzes30%
EssayReview30%
AssignmentGIS Modelling40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLearning Module Quizzes30%
EssayReview30%
AssignmentGIS Modelling40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SCI6105|1|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing
  • Unit Code

    SCI6105
  • Year

    2023
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    20
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr David John BLAKE

Description

This unit examines the fundamental principles and methods underlying the application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) to environmental science. It outlines the components and capabilities of a GIS and how these systems are used in business, industry and by government for solving complex spatial problems.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply a range of advanced GIS analytical methods to solve complex spatial problems.
  2. Critique the different methods for representing spatial and attribute data and expound upon the strengths and limitations of such methods.
  3. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  4. Examine, interpret and communicate spatial and attribute data using the internet and associated information technology.
  5. Identify and describe the fundamental attributes of a geographic information system (GIS) and outline the roles played by GIS in environmental science.
  6. Identify suitable remote sensing products to be used in GIS analysis for the environmental sciences.
  7. Outline the physical basis of remote sensing, particularly with respect to electromagnetic energy interactions with the Earth's atmosphere and surface features.
  8. Selectively apply GIS generated data to aid environmental management, analysis and decision-making.

Unit Content

  1. Basic GIS functionalities and models.
  2. Design and implement a GIS model to solve an environmental management issue.
  3. Fundamental structure and function of a GIS: hardware, software, peripherals.
  4. Methods for presentation of spatial data.
  5. Physical basis of remote sensing.
  6. Principles of aerial/satelliteimagery and aerial/satelliteimage interpretation.
  7. Spatial information system selection.
  8. Systems for managing data, data consideration, data custodianship, data security, copyright andmetadata.

Learning Experience

ON-CAMPUS

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 3 hour workshopNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

ONLINE

Students will engage in learning experiences via ECU’s LMS as well as additional ECU learning technologies

Additional Learning Experience Information

On-campus and on-line lectures, workshops and technology enhanced learning.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLearning Module Quizzes30%
EssayReview30%
AssignmentGIS Modelling40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLearning Module Quizzes30%
EssayReview30%
AssignmentGIS Modelling40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SCI6105|1|2