Outline

Overview

The critical role of geospatial science in major disturbance events, such as bushfires, coastal monitoring and mapping spatio-temporal trends in NSW COVID-19 cases, has placed GIScience at the forefront of policy agendas, information sharing and community engagement. The disruptive nature of this field is clear and demand for expertise in GIS, Earth observation, spatial data analytics and location intelligence has grown. However, this expertise needs to be backed by an understanding of the science, conceptual principles and ethics that underpin these enabling technologies. We will incorporate the transformative potential of GIScience driven technologies demonstrated by disturbance events. This unit content will expose you to a breadth of analytical capabilities within GIS, various applications to complex environmental and coastal issues and ethical considerations in using and disseminating geographical information and knowledge. The fundamentals of GIS, spatial modelling and Earth observation will be introduced in the context of environmental and coastal management. You will build on these foundational concepts through problem-based learning in which GIS methods will be applied to address issues relating to fire and biodiversity, acid sulphate soils, coastal processes and water security. This unit is co-taught with ENVX3001. GIScience, spatial reasoning and Earth observation in the context of environmental and coastal science and management is core to the learning objectives of both units.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Either 12 credit points of Intermediate Geoscience units or [(GEOS2115 or GEOS2915) and (BIOL2018 or BIOL2918 or BIOL2024 or BIOL2924 or BIOL2028 or BIOL2928)]
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GEOS3914 or ENVX3001
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Eleanor Bruce, eleanor.bruce@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Bree Morgan, bree.morgan@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Final exam	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Module 1 Lab Report Written report	10%	Week 03 Due date: 21 Aug 2022 at 23:59	Variable
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Module 2 Lab Report Written report	10%	Week 06 Due date: 11 Sep 2022 at 23:59	Variable
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Module 3 Lab Report Written report	10%	Week 09 Due date: 09 Oct 2022 at 23:59	Variable
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	GIS Project Written report	30%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Nov 2022 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Practical and tutorial participation Minimum 80% attendance	0%	Weekly	12 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Academic honesty Attendance	0%	Weekly	12 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Planning report: A project report based on in-class work
Fieldwork report: A report based on Manly field work
Final exam: The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures and practical classes.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply subject knowledge to novel situations.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a solid knowledge and understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad understanding of the unit material but has not fully developed the ability to apply the key ideas of the subject.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge of the subject.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to GIS	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Intro to GIS software: ArcGIS Pro Basics	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 02	Working with vector and raster data	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Determining bushfire overlap across species ranges	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 03	Map projections and GPS	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Citizen Science/ Terrain Modelling	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 04	Remote sensing: principles	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Introduction to remote sensing	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Remote sensing: indicies	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 05	Remote sensing: indices	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Remote sensing: classification	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Remote sensing: classification	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 07	Multi-criteria decision analysis in GIS	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Application of raster principles to coastal and marine spatial planning	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 08	Predictive spatial modelling	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Predicting species distributions	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 09	Spatial uncertainty, bias and GIS ethics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	The role of field based validation	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	GIS applications: soil and fire	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	GIS Project work	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 11	GIS applications: catchment to coast	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	GIS Project work	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 12	GIS applications: water security	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	GIS Project work and presentations	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 13	Unit Revision Q&A	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Project	Practical (3 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. recognise why coastal and marine management is often challenged by the dynamic and open nature of these environments
LO2. explain why there are multiple definitions of the coastal zone and the implication of this for management
LO3. understand the implications of scientific uncertainty in managing coastal and marine environments
LO4. adopt principles of spatial reasoning and analysis in resolving complex coastal and marine management problems
LO5. apply advanced spatial analysis methods and develop GIS based decision support models
LO6. understand the importance of spatio-temporal scale and design in constructing and working with spatial data sets
LO7. adopt principles of geographical reasoning and analysis in resolving complex social and environmental problems
LO8. reflect on how the outcomes of GIS-based models can inform coastal decision making and planning.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Minor revisions have been made to the practical sessions in the second module in response to useful student feedback.

Additional information

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit. However, you will need to make your own transport arrangements to the Manly field site.

Site visit guidelines

Please check the Canvas site for this unit for any information.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory

As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

GEOS3014: GIS for Land and Coastal Management

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect