Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Michael Chang
Contact via michael.chang@mq.edu.au
Lecturer
Alana Grech
Contact via alana.grech@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Many professionals in the broad areas of environmental science, management and planning use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse and map spatial information. This unit is an introductory GIS unit for postgraduates. It is designed for students who have not previously studied GIS. It covers the underlying concepts of GIS, applications, the use of commercial GIS software, and will develop for students a GIS skills set. The practical program focuses on the basics of GIS analysis methods and map creation. The GIS software used is ArcGIS. Students enrolling in this unit must have access to a computer with the Windows operating system. Mac or Linux system will not be supported.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 15% | Thursday, 3 Apr, 11.59AM |
Assignment 2 | 15% | Thursday, 8 May, 11:59AM |
Assignment 3 | 25% | Thursday, 29 May, 11:59AM |
Assignment 4 | 10% | Weeks 6 and 12 |
Final Exam | 35% | Check exam timetable |
Due: Thursday, 3 Apr, 11.59AM
Weighting: 15%
A short report on the week 3 - 4 practical exercises on analyzing spatial information
Due: Thursday, 8 May, 11:59AM
Weighting: 15%
A short report on the week 5 - 7 practical exercises on data preparation and mapping
Due: Thursday, 29 May, 11:59AM
Weighting: 25%
A report on the week 9 - 11 practical exercises on a major GIS project
Due: Weeks 6 and 12
Weighting: 10%
Two short quizzes on lecture topics
Due: Check exam timetable
Weighting: 35%
Final exam covering all aspects of the unit
This unit is offered both internally and externally.
Lecture program and location
There is one 1 hour lecture per week. Please check lecture times and rooms at the Macquarie University timetables website (www.timetables.mq.edu.au). Lectures are recorded and posted to iLearn via Echo360. Internal students are expected to attend lectures and practicals in person; external students can access lectures through iLearn.
Practical program and location
Internal students: There is one 3 hour practical class per week. Please check practical times and rooms at the Macquarie University timetables (www.timetables.mq.edu.au). Practicals begin in Week 2.
External students: You MUST have a home computer with a Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP operating system. A copy of the ArcGIS software will be sent to all external students. You must install this software on your computer. Other computer operating systems, e.g. Mac and Linux, are not supported. External students resident in Sydney are required to attend a one-day (Saturday) on-campus session in Week 9 (May 17).
Submission of assignments
All students are required to keep a backup of the submitted version of their assessments.
Students are NOT permitted to email their assignments. Assignments are to be submitted via the link provided on iLearn. Assignments are to be submitted in softcopy either in MS Word or PDF file format by 11.59AM on the date specified and must include a completed and signed coversheet attached to the front cover. Please download your personalised coversheet from: http://web.science.mq.edu.au/intranet/lt/barcode/coversheet.php
Maps and tables must be incorporated in the assessment’s Word document or PDF.
How do I request an extension?
Extensions must be requested by email from the unit convenor, Michael Chang (michael.chang@mq.edu.au), prior to the assignment’s due date (except in exceptional circumstances), and supported by appropriate documentation (e.g. a medical certificate).
Extensions will only be granted in writing (by email) at the discretion of the unit convenor. Otherwise, automatic penalties will apply. Assignments that are handed in late without an extension or exceptional circumstances will not be marked if they are submitted more than 7 days after the due date. If submitted within 7 days, marks will be deducted for lateness at the rate of 5% of the possible mark per day.
Return of marked assignments
The grade and comments of your assignments will be returned via iLearn within two teaching weeks of the submission, and will include written feedback.
Requirements to complete this unit satisfactory
1. Attend lecture and practical classes (internal students);
2. Complete all assignments and the final exam; and
3. Acquire a pass grade or above.
Grades for the unit as a whole will be awarded according to the following general criteria (course rubric).
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Developing |
Functional |
Proficient |
Advanced |
General description of the level of attainment |
Has not yet reached the desired standard. Limited understanding of required concepts and knowledge.
A fail grade (or under some circumstances a conceded pass) would be given. |
Has reached basic academic standards. Work has limited translation of concepts and procedures to new contexts unless aided.
A pass grade would be awarded. |
Has completely reached the standards expected. Can work independently in new contexts, adapting procedures to meet the context. Demonstrates awareness of own limitations.
A credit grade would be awarded. |
Has gone beyond the expected standards. Exhibits high levels of independence and can use concepts to generate new ways of completing procedures. Can engage in critical reflection.
A grade of distinction or high distinction would be awarded. |
List of changes
The assignment 1, a short report, given last year is replaced by two short quizzes on lecture topics, and some lectures are modified in both content and schedule of delivery
Resources
Technology used
This unit will use Echo360 and iLearn, and ArcGIS, Google Earth and MS Excel software, and GPS for the practical exercises.
You will require access to a computer and the broadband internet to complete this unit. The library computers and computer labs are available for casual use outside scheduled practical classes.
Internal students who have a home computer with a Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP operating system may obtain a copy of the ArcGIS software from the unit convenor. The ArcGIS software is NOT supported by Mac or Linux operating systems. It is not essential for internal students to have ArcGIS installed on their home computer as the computers in the computer labs are available for casual use outside scheduled practical classes. However, external students must have ArcGIS installed on their home computer.
Unit web page
This unit’s webpage will be available on iLearn.
Information about how students can access iLearn can be found at: http://www.mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/index.htm
The iLearn page uses Macquarie University’s standard interface and has links, access to lectures (as audio files through Echo360, and as downloadable PDF presentations) and practical instructions. Important announcements will be made through iLearn, so check the ENV808 page regularly.
Information about how to access lecture recordings through the Echo360 EchoCenter page in iLearn can be found at: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/lecture_recordings.htm
Required and recommended texts/materials
There are no prescribed texts for this unit. However, there will be recommended reading associated with some lectures.
Recommended text:
Kang-tsung Chang 2008. Introduction to geographic information systems, McGraw Hill, New York. [Available at Macquarie University Library]
Week |
Lecture Topic |
Lecturer |
Practical |
1 |
Introduction to ENV808 |
M. Chang |
No practical |
2 |
GIS applications and software demonstration |
A. Grech |
Getting started with GIS |
3 |
Coordinate systems and map projections |
A. Grech |
Analysing spatial information 1 |
4 |
How to make a map? |
A. Grech |
Analysing spatial information 2 |
5 |
Spatial analysis with vector data |
A. Grech |
Data capture - GPS |
6 |
Creating digital data |
A. Grech |
Data capture – Georeferencing and digitizing |
7 |
Spatial analysis with raster data |
M. Chang |
Preparation and presentation of maps |
8 |
3D GIS |
M. Chang |
GIS analysis and model builder |
9 |
Introduction to major project |
M. Chang |
Major project |
10 |
Temporal analysis |
M. Chang |
Major project |
11 |
Remote sensing 1 |
M. Chang |
Major project |
12 |
Remote sensing 2 |
M. Chang |
Remote Sensing |
13 |
Summary |
M. Chang |
No practical |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
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