BH117 - Bachelor of Geospatial Science (Honours)

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Plan: BH117 - Bachelor of Science (Geospatial Science) (Honours)
Campus: City Campus

Program delivery and structure

Approach to learning and assessment
Work integrated learning
Program structure
Program transition plan

Approach to learning and assessment

Geospatial Science is a highly practical discipline and this underpins the learning environment in the program. The primary modes of delivery are face-to-face lectures, tutorials and extensive practical activities. However, several courses in the program are delivered online, rather than on-campus, and you are likely to find that other courses transition to online delivery as you progress through the program. All courses use CANVAS for electronic provision of course material, tutorial problems, past exams and/or other relevant documents. You will have many opportunities to engage in field excursions, camps and other off site activities. Many activities are also held at our field station at Bundoora and in specialist computer laboratories within the School. Group work is encouraged and fostered through these practical activities.

The approaches to teaching and learning, that will form the basis of your learning experiences, include:

  • Activities such as field work that engage you in real world situations;
  • Projects that simulate industry activity and, in some cases, are conducted with industry;
  • Learning activities that build upon the fundamental skills required for work in the geospatial sciences;
  • Learning activities that require you to participate in team development;
  • Tasks that require technical competence in the field.

Assessment is multi-faceted and may consist of practical reports, field work, projects and assignments. Oral presentations are required in a number of courses. The forms of assessment used will vary for each course, given the differing objectives.

Most of the assessments you complete will enable the teaching staff to provide you with constructive feedback. This will enable you to improve your future performances. If you are not receiving helpful feedback please speak to the teaching staff and consult the RMIT University assessment policy linked here: www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/policies/assessment-policy

The Study and Learning Centre (SLC) is able to provide support for all students with Maths, English, Chemistry, and general Study Skills.

If you have a long-term medical condition, disability and/or other form of disadvantage, it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

If you have already developed areas of skill and knowledge included in this program (for example, through prior studies or work experience), you can apply for credit once you have enrolled in this program. There is information on the RMIT University website about how to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – refer to: www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit/he

 

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Work integrated learning

RMIT is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with workplace experience.  As a student enrolled in this RMIT program you will:

  • undertake and be assessed on structured activities that allow you to learn, apply and demonstrate your professional or vocational practice;
  • interact with industry and community when undertaking these activities; and
  • complete these activities in real or simulated work contexts or situations
  • gain benefits from these interactions and the work context as they provide a distinctive source of feedback to assist your learning.

These learning opportunities may be in the form of work experience courses GEOM2163 Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 and GEOM2164 Geospatial Science Work Experience 2 as well as industry-based major projects, simulations or placements.

The Bachelor of Science (Geospatial Science)(Honours) program places particular emphasis on equipping you so that you are able to readily assume productive roles in the surveying, mapping and geospatial information industry. A considerable quantity of practical work is included in the program, strongly linked to industry practice.

 WIL Courses Include:

Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 (GEOM2163) and Geospatial Science Work Experience 2 (GEOM2164) are courses where you will undertake, record and report on, a work experience totalling at least 240 hours with an organization or organisations related to surveying or geospatial science. This placement or activity may be local or international.

In addition, the following courses include liaising with industry to define/create the problem; analyse and create a report; present and receive feedback from industry partners.

GEOM2114 Geospatial Science Major Project A, GEOM2115 Geospatial Science Major Project B, GEOM2116 Professional Practice and GEOM2083 Applied Geospatial Techniques.

An important teaching approach within this program is that of the application of theory in real world applications where material presented in lectures is reinforced by practical exercises. This vocational orientation emphasis means that Geospatial Science is well equipped with a wide range of up-to-date facilities and resources including total stations, GPS equipment and GIS, remote sensing, mapping and visualisation software. Outdoor fieldwork exercises are conducted which provide you with authentic industry experience.

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Program Structure

For students who commence their study in this program from 1 January 2016 onwards, please note that some courses listed in this structure will have their course marks count toward your program's weighted average mark. Your weighted average mark will determine the honours level of your award once you have completed the program. If a course counts toward your weighted average mark, that fact will be stated in its course guide. In Enrolment Online, after you completed your course enrolment, you will be notified which of the enrolled courses will count toward the weighted average mark.
 

For more information about the weighted average mark, please click here

To graduate you must complete the following:

All courses listed may not be available each semester

 

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Year One of Program

Complete the following Eight (8) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Introduction to Engineering Mathematics 12 MATH2395 City Campus
Surveying Fundamentals 12 GEOM2088 City Campus
Scientific Skills and Communication 12 ONPS2334 City Campus
Mapping The World 12 GEOM2077 City Campus
Spatial Information Science Fundamentals 12 GEOM1033 City Campus
Applied Geospatial Techniques 12 GEOM2083 City Campus
Surveying Computations and Drafting 12 GEOM2089 City Campus
The Changing Environment 12 ENVI1146 City Campus
 
AND

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Year Two of Program

Complete the following Seven (7) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Mathematics for Surveying and Geomatics A 12 MATH2163 City Campus
Physics of Satellite Measurement 12 PHYS2088 City Campus
Cartography 2 12 GEOM2079 City Campus
Spatial Information Science Principles 12 GEOM1044 City Campus
Statistics and Measurement Analysis 12 GEOM2162 City Campus
Geospatial Programming 12 GEOM2159 City Campus
GPS Mapping 12 GEOM2139 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete One (1) Course from the Program Options listed at the end of the program structure:
 
AND

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Year Three of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Spatial Information Science Analytics 12 GEOM1057 City Campus
Environmental Systems Analysis 12 ENVI1196 City Campus
Earth Observation Science 12 GEOM2084 City Campus
Geospatial Science Project 1 12 GEOM2163 City Campus
Research Procedures 12 GEOM2124 City Campus
Human Geography 12 HUSO1104 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from the Program Options listed at the end of the program structure:
 
AND

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Year Four of Program

Complete the following Six (6) Courses:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Cloud-based open-source GIS 12 GEOM2138 City Campus
Capstone Research (Design) 12 GEOM2114 City Campus
Professional Practice 12 GEOM2116 City Campus
Capstone Research (Implementation) 12 GEOM2115 City Campus
Geospatial Science Project 2 12 GEOM2164 City Campus
Advanced Imaging Technology 12 GEOM2086 City Campus
AND
Select and Complete Two (2) Courses from any:
University Elective
 
AND

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Program Options:

List of Program Options:

Course Title

Credit Points

Course Code

Campus

Accounting in Organisations and Society 12 ACCT1046 City Campus
Business Advisory Services 12 ACCT1022 City Campus
Digital Business Design and Innovation 12 ISYS1051 City Campus
Environmental Processes and Change 12 ENVI1211 City Campus
Database Concepts 12 ISYS1057 City Campus
Geodesy and Satellite Navigation Systems 12 GEOM2119 City Campus
Approved External Program Option 12 EXTL1195 City Campus
Global Surveying and Geospatial Experience 12 GEOM2154 City Campus
Introduction to Programming 12 COSC1519 City Campus
Mathematics for Surveying and Geomatics B 12 MATH2164 City Campus
Project Management Concepts 12 BUSM3307 City Campus
Resource Management 12 ENVI1098 City Campus
Sustainable Futures 12 ENVI1153 City Campus
Terrestrial Surveying 12 GEOM2091 City Campus
Web Programming 12 COSC2413 City Campus
Planning and Environmental Regulation 12 ARCH1059 City Campus
Property Economics 12 BUIL1149 City Campus
Alternative Dispute Resolution 12 HWSS1144 City Campus
Unmanned Aerial System Operations 12 AERO2481 City Campus
 

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Program transition plan

Very Important: This plan is being phased out. 
  
BH117 - Bachelor of Science (Geospatial Science) (Honours) plan has been discontinued and will no longer accept new students after Semester 2 2022. The plan will be taught out to current students until semester 2, 2027. If you are unable to complete your program by the end of 2027, you may consider applying to other programs within RMIT subject to entrance requirements. You may also consider applying to the new plan: 

BH117P23  Bachelor of Geospatial Science (Honours)
  
For more information and advice on your enrolment, please contact your program manager, Lucas Holden (lucas.holden@rmit.edu.au).

________________________________________________________________________________

Semester 1, 2024 Transition Plan

The following title change has occured:

GEOM2138 changed from Advanced Spatial Information Science to Cloud-based open-source GIS

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Semester 1, 2022 Program amendments in BH117

The program structure has been amended to reinstate the courses listed below. Additionally, the Geospatial Science Work Experience courses have been amended to provide clearer enrolment guide.

Details of amendments:

Year 3

  1. ENVI1192 Environmental Sustainability has been replaced by ENVI1196 Environmental Systems Analysis. If you have previously completed ENVI1192, your credit will be counted towards your program completion and you will not be required to enrol in ENVl1196
  2. GEOM2084 Remote Sensing and Photo has been added in year three.

Year 4

  1. GEOM2086 Advanced Imaging Technology has been added in year four.
  2. GEOM2075 Land Development is no longer offered and has been removed from year four and the option list. If you have already completed this course, it will be counted towards your program completion.

Work Experience

  1. GEOM2165 Geospatial Science Work Experience (24 credit point) has been removed and GEOM2163 and GEOM2164 Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 & 2 (12 credit point each) are now core in year three and year four. If you've previously completed GEOM2165, your credit will be counted towards your program completion and you will not be required to enrol in GEOM2163 and GEOM2164

If you have any further queries, please contact your program manager, Dr Lucas Holden for further advise.

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Semester 1, 2021 Program amendments in BH117

The following new Work Integrated Learning course has been introduced: GEOM2165 - Geospatial Science Work Experience (24 credit points). This course will allow you to complete all your requisite work placement hours in one course enrolment. You will still have the option to break up your work placement hours in two segments by enrolling in GEOM2164 Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 and GEOM2165 Geospatial Science Work Experience 2. This change will give you further enrolment and placement flexibility.

Additionally, the following changes will apply from semester 1, 2021:

1. MATH2211 - Mathematics for Scientists has been replaced with MATH2395 - Intro to Engineering Mathematics. If you have completed MATH2211 you will receive credit for this course and you will not be required to enrol in MATH2395.

2. GEOM2163 and GEOM2164 have been moved from core to program option. You must complete 24 cp of work placement through GEOM2163 and GEOM2164 (12cp + 12cp = 24cp) enrolment, or by enroling in GEOM2165 (24 cp). GEOM2163 and GEOM2164 have been moved to an option list to give you the flexibility to choose these two courses or GEOM2165.

Important note: If you have enrolled in GEOM2163 you must enrol GEOM2164; you cannot enrol in GEOM2165.

3. GEOM1022 - Physical Geography has been replaced with ENVI1146 - The Changing Environment. If you have previously completed GEOM1022, credit from the course will be applied and you will not be required to enrol in ENVI1146.

4.  GEOM2084 - Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry has been replaced with a Program Option. If you have previously completed GEOM2084, credit from the course will be applied and you will not be required to enrol in an additional Program Option.

5. GEOM2140 – Distributed Mapping has been replaced with GEOM2139 GPS Mapping. If you have previously completed GEOM2140, credit from the course will be applied and you will not be required to enrol in GEOM2139.

6.  GEOM2086 - Advanced Imaging Technology and GEOM2081 – Cartography 3 have been replaced with two Program Option courses. If you have previously completed GEOM2086 and GEOM2081, credit from these course will be applied and you will not be required to enrol in additional Program Option courses.

7. AERO2481 - Unmanned Arial System Operations has been added as a new Science option

8. EXTL1195 has a new title: Approved External Program Option. This course will be a place holder for any Program Options completed in other educational institution (pending Program Manager assessment and approval).

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Semester 1, 2020 Program amendments in the BH117 program and Transition Plan:

Some minor changes will be introduced in Semester 1, 2020 as part of the quality improvement process.  These changes will also facilitate credit for similar courses completed at other Australian universities or overseas through Global Mobility studies. 

The changes and transitional arrangements for students active in BH117 prior to semester 1 2020 are outlined below.  Program staff are also available to answer specific queries or advise on special cases.

Revised courses

The following courses have been revised (including year changes but excluding simple course name changes).  Where students have completed or been credited with these courses prior to the introduction of this program change in 2020, their completed or credited course will be deemed equivalent to the amended version of the same course. 

Year

Former course

Credit points

Year

Equivalent amended course

Credit points

2

GEOM2089 Surveying 2

12

1

GEOM2089 Plane Surveying & Computations

12

2

PHYS2088 Geospatial Physics and Statistics

12

2

PHYS2088 Physics of Satellite Measurement

12

Renamed courses

The following courses have been renamed to better reflect the course content.  Where students have completed or been credited with these courses prior to the introduction of this program change in 2020, their completed course will be deemed equivalent to the renamed version of the same course. 

Year

Former course name

Equivalent course with new name

Credit points

1

GEOM2091 Surveying 1

GEOM2088 Introduction to Surveying

12

2

GEOM2091 Surveying 3

GEOM2091 Terrestrial Surveying

12

2

GEOM2084 Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry 1

GEOM2084 Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry

12

3

GEOM2086 Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry 2

GEOM2086 Advanced Imaging Technology

12

Course replacements

Four courses have been removed from the program and replaced with four other courses with content more relevant to the future of the geospatial science industry and to provide better alignment and sequencing with other courses. 

The deleted courses are:

  • PHYS1080 Introduction to Physical Modelling (year 1)
  • GEOM2139 GPS Mapping (year 2)
  • 3rd University Elective (year 3)
  • 3rd Program Option

The new courses added are:

  • GEOM2159 Geospatial Programming (year 2)
  • GEOM2161 Statistics & Measurement Analysis (year 2)
  • GEOM2163 Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 (nominally year 3 but can be completed at any stage)
  • GEOM2164 Geospatial Science Work Experience 2 (nominally year 4 but can be completed at any stage)

Where students have completed or been credited with PHYS1080 Introduction to Physical Modelling, this will be deemed equivalent to GEOM2159 Geospatial Programming. 

Work Experience / Work Integrated Learning Requirement

Previously, BH117 included a work experience requirement to provide, prior to graduation, a report on a total of at least 12 weeks of geospatial science-related work experience, signed by the employer. From 2020 this work experience requirement is captured and recorded in GEOM2163 Geospatial Science Work Experience 1 and GEOM2164 Geospatial Science Work Experience 2.  The place in the program for these new courses was vacated when the 3rd University elective and 1 Program Option were deleted. 

Any student transitioning into the 2020 program who has already completed all three University electives (for example articulating students) should not enrol for GEOM2163 as they will not have space for it in the program and it will not contribute to their degree.

Any student transitioning into the 2020 program who has completed or been credited with all three Program Options should NOT enrol for GEOM2164 as there will be no opportunity for it to contribute to their degree. 

For students who commenced study in the 4 year program 1, 2 or 3 years before 2020, and who have no space in the 384 credit points of the program to complete or gain credit for GEOM2163 or GEOM2164, the existing work experience option will be grandfathered.  These students will be required to provide a report on at least 240 hours of work experience (as required by the program they were admitted to).  If they have completed GEOM2163 but not GEOM2164 the additional requirement for reporting work experience will be reduced to 120 hours to make up a total of 240 hours. 

Transition plan for GEOM2161 Statistics & Measurement Analysis

GEOM2161 Statistics & Measurement Analysis covers material which was previously covered as part of GEOM2089 and PHYS2088.  The position in the second year of the program now occupied by GEOM2161 was previously occupied by GEOM2139 GPS Mapping which has been deleted. 

As noted above under “Revised Courses” where students have completed either or both of GEOM2089 or PHYS2088, these will be deemed equivalent to the amended versions of the same courses.   

In addition, where a student has completed all three of GEOM2089, PHYS2088 and GEOM2139, their completion of GEOM2139 GPS Mapping will be deemed equivalent to completion of the new GEOM2161 Statistics and Measurement Analysis.  This is expected to be the most common scenario for transition. 

However, where a student has completed GEOM2139 but has not completed both of GEOM2089 and PHYS2088, much of the content of GEOM2161 will not have been previously covered. In that case:

  • GEOM2161 Statistics and Measurement Analysis will need to be completed; AND
  • GEOM2139 GPS Mapping will be able to be used in place of a course that is otherwise selected from the list of Program Options in year 3 or year 4.

These scenarios are summarised in the following table:

Completed prior to Program Change (before 2020)

Substitute courses accepted as equivalent

PHYS2088

GEOM2089

GEOM2139

PHYS2088

GEOM2089

GEOM2161

Yes

Yes

Yes

Equivalent

Equivalent

Equivalent

Yes

Yes

No

Equivalent

Equivalent

No

Yes

No

Yes

Equivalent

No

No but can be used for any program option

No

Yes

Yes

No

Equivalent

No but can be used for any program option

Yes

No

No

Equivalent

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

Equivalent

No

No

No

Yes

No

No

No but can be used for any program option

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