Course Title: GIS Fundamentals

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: GIS Fundamentals

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
GEOM1159	City Campus	Postgraduate	145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014, Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2016
GEOM1159	City Campus	Postgraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2017, Sem 2 2017, Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 2 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021, Sem 2 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2024
GEOM1161	City Campus	Undergraduate	145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 1 2009
GEOM2041	City Campus	Research	145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2016

Course Coordinator: Gang-Jun Liu

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: gang-jun.liu@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment or by email

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of geographic information science (GIScience) and geographical information system (GISystem), known as GIS collectively, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills.  

Key topics covered in the course include: (1) the development, scope and applications of GIS; (2) core concepts related to geographical space and georeferencing systems; (3) data models and structures for representing and storing geographical data; (4) sources of geographical data and methods for acquiring, processing, analysing, and visualising this data; (5) the unique characteristics of geographical data and methods for minimising, visualising and documenting data quality and uncertainty; (6) approaches for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of GIS applications and addressing related ethical, legal, and social issues.  

The course aims to provide students with a solid foundation in GIS through lectorials, lab exercises, and practical projects, preparing them for more advanced GIS topics and applications. 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following programs: 

GC187 - Graduate Certificate in Geospatial Science 

PLO 1.1 Knowledge capabilities - Describe the fundamental and applied scientific knowledge that underpins the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 1.2 Knowledge capabilities - Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the spatial models and mathematical methods used in contemporary practice 
PLO 1.3 Knowledge capabilities - Identify and elaborate specialist bodies of knowledge in geospatial science 
PLO 1.4 Knowledge capabilities - Discern research directions and advances within the discipline. 
PLO 2.1 Technical capabilities - Apply standard and advanced techniques to solve a range of measurement, and data management problems. 
PLO 2.2 Technical capabilities - Be proficient in the recording, storage, management, representation and reporting of spatial information 
PLO 4.1 Communication Skills - Communicate effectively by means of oral, written and graphical presentations to peers and a wider audience 
PLO 5.1 Personal and Professional Awareness - Appreciate the environmental, social, legal and international aspects of actions and decisions in the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 6.1 Independent and Integrated Practice - Be self-motivated and personally responsible for your actions and learning 
PLO 6.2 Independent and Integrated Practice - Professionally manage and use spatial information 

GC189 - Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science and Technology  

PLO 1.1 Knowledge - A body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in Environmental Science and the technological advances related to measurement techniques, remediation processes and pollution control 
PLO 2.3 Skills - Cognitive, technical and creative skills to enable you to generate and evaluate complex ideas about the environmental processes and concepts at an abstract level 

GD054P17 - Graduate Diploma in Geospatial Science  

PLO 1.1 Knowledge capabilities - Describe the fundamental and applied scientific knowledge that underpins the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 1.2 Knowledge capabilities - Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the spatial models and mathematical methods used in contemporary practice 
PLO 1.3 Knowledge capabilities - Identify and elaborate specialist bodies of knowledge in geospatial science 
PLO 2.1 Technical capabilities - Apply standard and advanced techniques to solve a range of measurement, and data management problems. 
PLO 2.3 Technical capabilities - Be proficient in the recording, storage, management, representation and reporting of spatial information. 
PLO 4.1 Communication Skills - Communicate effectively by means of oral, written and graphical presentations to peers and a wider audience 
PLO 5.1 Personal and Professional Awareness - Appreciate the environmental, social, legal and international aspects of actions and decisions in the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 6.1 Independent and Integrated Practice - Be self-motivated and personally responsible for your actions and learning 
PLO 6.2 Independent and Integrated Practice - Professionally manage and use information 

GD181 - Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science and Technology     

PLO 1.1 Knowledge - A body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in Environmental Science and the technological advances related to measurement techniques, remediation processes and pollution control 

MC265 - Master of Geospatial Science  

PLO 1.1 Knowledge capabilities - Describe the fundamental and applied scientific knowledge that underpins the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 1.2 Knowledge capabilities - Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the spatial models and mathematical methods used in contemporary practice 
PLO 1.3 Knowledge capabilities - Identify and elaborate specialist bodies of knowledge in geospatial science 
PLO 2.1 Technical capabilities - Apply standard and advanced techniques to solve a range of measurement, and data management problems.  
PLO 2.3 Technical capabilities - Be proficient in the recording, storage, management, representation and reporting of spatial information. 
PLO 4.1 Communication Skills - Communicate effectively by means of oral, written and graphical presentations to peers and a wider audience 
PLO 5.1 Personal and Professional Awareness - Appreciate the environmental, social, legal and international aspects of actions and decisions in the geospatial sciences. 
PLO 6.1 Independent and Integrated Practice - Be self-motivated and personally responsible for your actions and learning 
PLO 6.2 Independent and Integrated Practice - Professionally manage and use spatial information 

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Evaluate the fundamental principles of geographical information science critically and their application in practical contexts.
2. Analyse geographic data using GIS to address spatial questions and real-world challenges.
3. Implement GIS-based geoprocessing, spatial analysis, and visualization techniques and workflows to complete spatial data analysis tasks. 
4. Develop GIS-based techniques and procedures to address real-world geographical challenges and evaluate their suitability and effectiveness in practical contexts.
5. Articulate GIS-based concepts and solutions with diverse audiences, including non-specialists, using written and graphical communication methods. 

Overview of Learning Activities

In this course, you are expected to:  

1. Actively engage in a variety of learning activities, including scheduled lectorial and discussion sessions, as well as lab-based tutorials and practical sessions.
2. Take initiative in self-directed study of the course materials, ask questions of your lecturer and/or peers, raise any course-related issues via the class-wide discussion forums on the course’s Canvas site or MS Team’s chat channel, and seek out additional information as required, particularly from resources available through the RMIT Library and other course-specific materials on  myRMIT Course
3. Complete and submit specified written assignments on time, adhering to the published assessment criteria and submission deadlines. 

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Lab Practical Reports
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2 & 3  

Assessment Task 2: GIS Project Consultations 
Weighting 10%
This assessment task supports CLOs 4 & 5  

Assessment Task 3: GIS Project Presentations and Submissions 
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 4 & 5  

Assessment Task 4: Final Timed Tests
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3 

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