GEOG 2129 - Introductory Geographic Information Systems
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code GEOG 2129 Course Introductory Geographic Information Systems Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Prerequisites At least 12 units of undergraduate study Incompatible GEST 2029, GEST 2022 or GEST 3022 Assessment Practical report and assignments (60%), exam (40%) Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Emma Baker
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 Understand the nature, components and applications of GIS 2 Develop skills in sourcing, manipulating and interpreting spatial data 3 Critically discuss the applications of GIS in a variety of fields 4 Develop an awareness of the underlying theory of spatial information science 5 Introduce Global Positioning Systems and Remote Sensing and understand how they are allied with GIS 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) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,4,5 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1,2 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2,3,4 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1,2,3,5 -
Learning & Teaching Activities
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 6 hours reading per week 72 hours per semester 2 hours research per week 24 hours per semester 2 hours assignment preparation per week 24 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Introduction to GIS Week 2 Spatial Data Week 3 Cartography, communication and spatial data visualisation Week 4 Spatial data models Week 5 Concepts of vector GIS Week 6 Spatial analysis with vector GIS Week 7 Remote sensing Week 8 Remote sensing Week 9 GPS Week 10 Report writing Week 11 Course overview and exam preparation Week 12 Course overview and exam preparation -
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
No information currently available.
Assessment Detail
To pass the course 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.
2-hour examination - 40%
There will be a 2 hour examination held during the formal exam period and conducted at Wayville showgrounds. The exam will consist of 2 sections – an essay question where students write on one topic from a given selection, and a series of short answer questions which cover all aspects of the course. The exam structure and general content areas will be discussed during the last lecture, and examples of previous exam questions will be made available on MyUni. Students must check Access Adelaide for the time, date and venue of the examination.
Workshop exercises - 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. Full details of the assessment task are made available each week. Many tasks will be completed and submitted in class, but Workshop Assessments are otherwise due at the beginning of the next lecture – i.e. by the following Wednesday after each Workshop.
Practical assignment - 30%
The practical assignment requires students to apply the knowledge and techniques they have learnt to conduct a GIS analysis of the impacts of a new road construction project in 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.Submission
Available on enrolment.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.
