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).

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]