Students

ENVS8353 – Environmental Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing

2025 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor / Lecturer
Michael Chang
michael.chang@mq.edu.au
Contact via via emails
121, 12Wally's Walk
by appointments
Lecturer
Maina Mbui
joseph.mbui@mq.edu.au
Contact via via emails
120, 12Wally's Walk
by appointments
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
ENVS8308 or NSCI7364 or ENVS6364
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit builds on the basic GIS skills introduced in ENVS8308 and includes advanced GIS concepts and principles of remote sensing. Topics include: analysis of landscape and environmental variables, GIS modelling, geostatistics, remote sensing techniques and a range of case studies. Practical sessions include techniques for spatial data collection, data management, modelling, terrain products generation, and image processing. This unit is designed to provide students with skills that enhance their educational experience and work-readiness in the field of spatial information science. 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.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Sustainable Cities and Communities; Climate Action; Life on Land.

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: Apply appropriate GIS raster analyses to derive useful information for making informed decisions
  • ULO2: Design and implement a suitable model for environmental applications using remotely sensed data
  • ULO3: Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and limitations of spatial analyses and remote sensing systems
  • ULO4: Communicate geographic information effectively using maps, reports and presentations

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must:

  • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%

This unit does not have a Hurdle Requirement.

 

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

From 1 July 2022, students enrolled in Session based units with written assessments will have the following university standard late penalty applied. Please see https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/assessments for more information. Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written 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. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period is 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, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

 

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 Service Connect Portal (https://connect.mq.edu.au).

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Project for Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation 35% No 21/09/2025
GIS Modelling using Raster Data 25% No 09/11/2025
Final Exam 40% No Exam period

Project for Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 21/09/2025
Weighting: 35%

 

This project brings together what students learned through lectures and practicals and applies remote sensing and its methods to an application nominated by students. Students will present their findings using both an oral presentation and a report.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Design and implement a suitable model for environmental applications using remotely sensed data
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and limitations of spatial analyses and remote sensing systems
  • Communicate geographic information effectively using maps, reports and presentations

GIS Modelling using Raster Data

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 09/11/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will undertake a multi-criteria analysis using GIS and gain experience with a range of GIS techniques on raster analyses and modelling for site selections.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply appropriate GIS raster analyses to derive useful information for making informed decisions
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and limitations of spatial analyses and remote sensing systems

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%

 

Final exam covering the unit content.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply appropriate GIS raster analyses to derive useful information for making informed decisions
  • Design and implement a suitable model for environmental applications using remotely sensed data
  • Communicate geographic information effectively using maps, reports and presentations

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

Lecture program

There is one lecture per week from weeks 1 to 13. Please check lecture timetable and room location before semester starts. The recordings of lectures will be made available via Echo360 after each class.

Practical program

There is one three-hour practical class from weeks 1 to 12 for ALL students. Please check prac timetable and location (including online session) using the Class Finder tool in eStudent; Zoom links will be provided to the students enrolled in online classes. ESRI ArcGIS Pro software is used in this unit and it only supports Windows systems. ArcGIS Pro software is available via AppStream at https://mq.okta.com/ There is NO on-campus session.

Method of communication

We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn.

Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.

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 connect.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/

Academic Success

Academic Success 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 the Service Connect Portal, 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

In 2025 we have reduced the number of assessments to three. 

We value student feedback and aim to continually improve this unit. We encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.

Unit information based on version 2025.06 of the Handbook