SLE743 - Spatial Analysis and Geographic Information Systems
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Robert Faggian |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | Nil |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour lecture per week, 1 x 3 hour practical experience (computer practical) per week. |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning including 6 x 3 hour online practical experience (computer practical) per trimester (typically held weeks 2-7). |
| 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 unit provides students with the opportunity to learn about Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis and a variety of modelling techniques to support decision-making. The content focuses on data analysis to underpin planning for sustainable development, through the integration of social, economic and physical factors. Topics also include modelling of climate change and its effects, population projections and other demographic forecasting, and water resource modelling, among others. You will also be introduced to scenario modelling and techniques to integrate multiple data sets in order to better understand plausible futures for planning and sustainable development purposes. Classes and seminars are organised around explanations of various applied spatial analysis and modelling techniques, within a holistic approach towards regional development, and GIS is employed as a major implementing platform for such techniques.
This unit places emphasis on the application of techniques in several hands-on tutorial/project exercises, which address various real-world regional development issues. In general, students have the freedom to select case studies and a project that relate to regional issues in their own contexts and countries.
After undertaking this unit students will have the knowledge to select and apply techniques necessary for spatial analysis and modelling that supports practical decision making and policy generation.
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 | Present by using maps which focus on a particular situation of a region. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Analyse and address regional, land-development issues which incorporate various socio economic and physical factors, through application of selected spatial modelling and multi-criteria evaluation techniques. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Perform more effective spatial allocation of land uses using optimisation techniques. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Create future scenarios and study the effects of climatic factors upon agriculture. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Pursue project which uses suitable spatial and modelling techniques to address a selected, real-world regional issue within Australia or overseas. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Make decisions for regional and rural development and thereby demonstrate an understanding of how to sensibly use spatial and modelling techniques. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Maps | Developing maps using GIS software (6 maps) | 30% (6 x 5%) | Weeks 2-7 |
| Assessment 2 Spatial analysis report (Individual) | Written report (approximately 1,500 words) | 30% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3 Final project report (Group) | Project report (approximately 50-A4 pages, including maps and figures) | 40% | 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 SLE743 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.