Students

ENVS3383 – Environmental Analysis Using Remote Sensing and GIS

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

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
by appointment
Lecturer
Maina Mbui
joseph.mbui@mq.edu.au
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including ENVS2364
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit provides students with an understanding of advanced spatial information science (SIS) procedures, and experience in the implementation of geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) in environmental fields. The unit covers modelling landforms and other environmental variables in GIS, an introduction to geostatistics, and a range of case studies from areas including catchment hydrology, climate variables, natural hazards and vegetation mapping. It also demonstrates advanced RS techniques to derive spatial information on land cover and land cover change, and the latest satellite programs. 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: Demonstrate knowledge of the principles underlying GIS raster analyses
  • ULO2: Apply GIS modelling techniques to make an evidence-based multi-attribute decision making
  • ULO3: Effectively communicate information derived using spatial analyses
  • ULO4: Describe and critique current applications of GIS and RS in Australia and worldwide
  • ULO5: Evaluate remotely sensed data acquired from a range of sensors
  • ULO6: Competently apply a wide range of techniques for RS data to provide information about the environment

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 

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 technical concerns. 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. For example, if the assignment is worth 8 marks (of the entire unit) and your submission is late by 19 hours (or 23 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds), 0.4 marks (5% of 8 marks) will be deducted. If your submission is late by 24 hours (or 47 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds), 0.8 marks (10% of 8 marks) will be deducted, and so on.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted 

Assessments 1 & 2 - YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

Assessment 3 (Final Exam) - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Final Exam 40% No Exam Period Individual No Observed
Project for Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation 35% No 20/09/2026 Individual and Group No Open
GIS Modelling using Raster Data 25% No 06/11/2026 Individual Yes Open

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 40%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed

You will undertake a final examination during the formal examination period.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles underlying GIS raster analyses
  • Apply GIS modelling techniques to make an evidence-based multi-attribute decision making
  • Describe and critique current applications of GIS and RS in Australia and worldwide
  • Evaluate remotely sensed data acquired from a range of sensors
  • Competently apply a wide range of techniques for RS data to provide information about the environment

Project for Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 20/09/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual and Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

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:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles underlying GIS raster analyses
  • Effectively communicate information derived using spatial analyses
  • Describe and critique current applications of GIS and RS in Australia and worldwide
  • Evaluate remotely sensed data acquired from a range of sensors
  • Competently apply a wide range of techniques for RS data to provide information about the environment

GIS Modelling using Raster Data

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 25%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

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:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles underlying GIS raster analyses
  • Apply GIS modelling techniques to make an evidence-based multi-attribute decision making
  • Effectively communicate information derived using spatial analyses
  • Competently apply a wide range of techniques for RS data to provide information about the environment

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Week 1 Classes

Both lecture and practical classes commence in week 1. 

Lecture program

There is one one-hour 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); 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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such 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 2026.02 of the Handbook