SLE332 - Geographic Information Systems for Environmental Scientists
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | SQB331 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Desley Whisson |
| Cohort rule: | Nil |
| Prerequisite: | One of SLE202 or SLE239 or SLE226 or SLE216 or SLE237 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | SLE732 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour online lecture per week, 6 x 2 hour practical experience (computer practical) per trimester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
The principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their application to environmental science will be described. The unit will cover spatial data types and their collection, organisation, manipulation and integration, managing GIS projects, spatial analysis and display. Student will complete practical exercises to achieve basic competency in widely used GIS software. They will then apply their knowledge and skills to create their own GIS to address a real environmental question.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Describe the principles of Geographic Information Systems and its application to the field of environmental science. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Apply widely used GIS software for the integration analysis and display of spatial data. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Collect spatial data and describe its errors and limitations. | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO4 | Design a GIS that integrates real world data from different sources to evaluate or predict spatial phenomena, and to resolve environmental issues or questions. | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO5 | Communicate the results of a GIS analysis in map and written report form. | GLO2: Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Quiz | Online quiz | 10% | Week 5 |
| Assessment 2 GIS exercises | 5 GIS outputs (map and/or answers to task questions) | 20% (5 x 4%) | Week 6 |
| Assessment 3 GIS applications | 2,000 word written report | 20% | Week 8 |
| Assessment 4 GIS project | 3,000 word written report and digital project | 50% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE332 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.