Students

NSCI7364 – Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing

2023 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convener
Maina Mbui
Contact via +61 2 9850 7992
12 Wallys Walk 120
Email to schedule an appointment
Lecturer
Michael Chang
Contact via +61 2 9850 8158
12 Wallys Walk 121
Email to schedule an appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENVS6364
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides students with a comprehensive introduction to geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS), global positioning systems (GPS) and remote sensing. Students will learn core concepts and develop advanced technical skills in data acquisition and management, mapping and spatial sampling and analysis. Students are provided training using the latest commercially available geospatial software. This unit covers the application of geographic information science across a range of disciplines, including environmental science and management, physical and human geography, urban and environmental planning and biodiversity conservation.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Perform operations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software
  • ULO2: Organise, analyse and interpret geographic or spatial information using a range of techniques
  • ULO3: Identify and define key concepts and principles of Geographic Information Science, including scale, projections, interactions and interdependence
  • ULO4: Communicate geographic/spatial analysis outputs using maps and written formats
  • ULO5: Apply standard Geographic Information Science concepts and techniques to a range of contexts

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration

Note: Late submissions will be accepted for all assessments in this unit with penalties

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Submission of assignments and progress tasks 

Students are required to keep a copy of their submitted assessments.

The assignments will be taken and submitted online and through upload links. In the latter case, assignments must be submitted in Word or PDF format. Maps and tables associated with the assignment must be included in MS Word or PDF documents. 

Assignments cannot be emailed or submitted in softcopy format under any circumstances. The Turnitin/online link provided in iLearn must be used to submit assignments by the dates and times indicated. 

Return of marked assignments 

Within two teaching weeks of submitting your assignment, you will receive written feedback via iLearn.

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To Pass this unit, you must: 

  • Attempt all assessments, and
  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%

Grades for the unit as a whole will be awarded according to the following general criteria (course rubric): 

 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Practical Assignment 1 15% No 17 March 2023
Practical Assignment 3 30% No 07 April 2023
Final Exam 30% No 30 May 2023
Practical Assignment 2 25% No 5-23 June 2023

Practical Assignment 1

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 17 March 2023
Weighting: 15%

 

Getting started with GIS. This is a computer-based practical exercise.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform operations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software
  • Organise, analyse and interpret geographic or spatial information using a range of techniques
  • Identify and define key concepts and principles of Geographic Information Science, including scale, projections, interactions and interdependence

Practical Assignment 3

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 22 hours
Due: 07 April 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Computer-based practical exercise.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform operations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software
  • Organise, analyse and interpret geographic or spatial information using a range of techniques
  • Identify and define key concepts and principles of Geographic Information Science, including scale, projections, interactions and interdependence
  • Communicate geographic/spatial analysis outputs using maps and written formats
  • Apply standard Geographic Information Science concepts and techniques to a range of contexts

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: 30 May 2023
Weighting: 30%

 

Covers all material from lectures and practical classes.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform operations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software
  • Organise, analyse and interpret geographic or spatial information using a range of techniques
  • Identify and define key concepts and principles of Geographic Information Science, including scale, projections, interactions and interdependence
  • Communicate geographic/spatial analysis outputs using maps and written formats
  • Apply standard Geographic Information Science concepts and techniques to a range of contexts

Practical Assignment 2

Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 5-23 June 2023
Weighting: 25%

 

Computer-based practical exercise. A report is submitted at the end of the assignment.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Perform operations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing software
  • Organise, analyse and interpret geographic or spatial information using a range of techniques
  • Identify and define key concepts and principles of Geographic Information Science, including scale, projections, interactions and interdependence
  • Communicate geographic/spatial analysis outputs using maps and written formats
  • Apply standard Geographic Information Science concepts and techniques to a range of contexts

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

NSCI7364 is an introductory course to Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It introduces students to geospatial technologies, including GIS, GPS, and remote sensing. GIS concepts and principles will be taught, as well as technical skills in data acquisition and management, mapping, spatial sampling, and analysis. Using the latest geospatial software available on the market, our students are trained in industry-standard GIS software.

The topics covered in NSCI7364 are vital to becoming competent in Geographic Information Science. As part of these, you will learn about how the shape of the earth affects mapping, as well as coordinate systems and map projections, how to create and collect GIS data, how to analyze spatial data using various GIS types, how to make maps, how to use remote sensing, and how to work with three-dimensional data. As part of the practical classes, students will be exposed to standard GIS concepts and techniques applied to various disciplines, including environmental science and management, physical and human geography, urban planning, biodiversity conservation, archaeology, health, and business.

Delivery 

For the practical component of this unit, the course is available either in weekday attendance mode or fully online. We will offer all lectures online.

Methods of communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to NSCI7364@mq.edu.au from your university email address.

Off-shore students

Off-shore students must email the convenor as soon as possible to discuss study options.

COVID Information

On-campus teaching continues to be scheduled for Session 1, 2023.

Students are requested to minimise the risk of spreading COVID to themselves and others in accordance with the university and NSW Health guidelines: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs and https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Lecture program and location 

There is one 1 hour online lecture per week. Please check lecture times at the Macquarie University timetables website (www.timetables.mq.edu.au). Lectures are recorded and posted on the iLearn via Echo360. Students are expected to attend lectures virtually/online via the links provided on the iLearn. Lecture recordings will also be made available on the iLearn. 

Practical program and location 

Weekday attendance: Students are enrolled on one 3-hour practical class per week. Please check practical times and rooms at the Macquarie University timetables website (www.timetables.mq.e du.au). Practical class sizes are limited by the number of available computers. You must use the online enrolment system to change the time/day of your practical class. Practical classes begin in Week 1.

Fully online attendance: You must have a home computer with a Windows operating system (Windows 7 or above). Please note that ArcGIS software is NOT supported by Mac or Linux operating systems. Also, we don't provide IT support for installation to Mac or Linux platforms. A copy of the ArcGIS Pro software will be provided to external students. You must install this software on your computer. Internal students may also download and install a copy of the software on their personal computers. ArcGIS can also be accessed remotely on the Appstream platform. More information on accessing GIS software on the Appstream platform is provided on the iLearn.

Resources 

Technology used 

This unit will use the online platform of Echo360 and iLearn, ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth, MS Excel software, GPS, and online resources for the practical exercises. Other ESRI software and open-source GIS software may also be used.

You will require access to a computer and broadband internet to complete this unit. The library computers and computer labs are available for casual use outside scheduled practical classes. 

Internal students with a home computer with a Windows operating system may obtain a copy of the ArcGIS Pro software from the unit convenor. The ArcGIS Pro software is NOT supported by Mac or Linux operating systems. It is not essential for weekday students to have ArcGIS installed on their home computers as the computers in the computer labs are available for casual use outside scheduled practical classes. However, students registered as fully online must have ArcGIS installed on their home computers. ArcGIS Pro is also available via Appstream. More information regarding this is provided on the iLearn

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 NSCI7364 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

Recommended texts/materials 

Highly recommend a fast USB Flash Storage Drive (4GB is adequate) for GIS Practicals; if your computer supports USB3 then I would further suggest a USB3 storage drive as the GIS Lab PC's support USB3. 

Access to required and recommended resources, plus past central exam papers, is available at the Macquarie Library website (https://www.mq.edu.au/about/campus-services-and-facilities/library/multi-search/multisearch).

GIS Software. The University has a site license for ESRI's ArcGIS (www.arcgis.com), which may be installed on a Windows PC with reasonable specs (i.e. 4GB RAM and 2.2 GHz CPU). 

Chang, K. 2008. Introduction to geographic information systems. McGraw Hill, New York.

Jensen J. & Jensen R. (2012) Introductory Geographic Information Systems, Pearson Higher Ed. 

Longley, P., Goodchild, et al. (2005) Geographical Information Systems and Science.

Burrough PA, McDonnell RA, and Lloyd C. 2015. Principles of Geographic Information Systems. Oxford University Press, UK. 

Huisman O, de By RA (Eds). Principles of Geographic Information Systems: An Introductory Text Book: Available online at:https://www.itc.nl/library/papers_2009/general/PrinciplesGIS.pdf 

The Khan Academy has many short instructional videos on a range of topics; the statistics (Maths) and SQL (Computing, Programming) provide background learning relevant to GIS.

http://www.khanacademy.org

Unit Schedule

The following is a summary of the course content and a tentative schedule. Check iLearn regularly for the weekly content update. 

Week

Description

Practical

1

Introduction to Geographic Information Science: what is GIS, and what is it used for?

Assignment 1

2

Types of GIS data: Vector and Raster data

Assignment 1

3

Planet Earth is not, in fact, perfectly round: Coordinate systems and map projections

Assignment 2

4

Spatial Analyses using Vector data

Assignment 2

5

Spatial Analyses using Raster data

Assignment 2

6

Capturing physical features on earth surface using GIS

Assignment 2

7

GIS applications and career in GIS

Assignment 2

  Semester Break  

8

Starting a GIS Project: Data Flow Diagrams, ModelBuilder & Spatial analyses with ArcGIS Pro

Assignment 3

9

Remote Sensing: Surface elevation and Terrain products, raster and TIN, 3D

Assignment 3

10

Remote Sensing of the Environment

Assignment 3

11

Application of GIS for environmental solutions

Assignment 3

12

Application of GIS for environmental solutions

Assignment 3

13

Unit summary

No practical

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Course Changes as informed by Previous Student Feedback 

Geo-scripting using R software in Weeks 11 & 12 has been replaced with case study on solving GIS problems.


Unit information based on version 2023.02 of the Handbook