Course Title: GIS Applications

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: GIS Applications

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

GEOM1167

City Campus

Postgraduate

145H Mathematical & Geospatial Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

GEOM1167

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Chris Bellman

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3269

Course Coordinator Email: Chris.Bellman@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 12, Level 11, Room 13

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

GEOM1159 (GIS Fundamentals) and GEOM1163 (GIS Principles), or equivalent course(s), or provide evidence of equivalent capabilities.

To successfully complete this course, you should have:

  • knowledge of key components of a geographical information system (GIS), important GIS functions to manage geospatial data, and mainstream GIS applications
  • the ability to use a GIS software with given digital geospatial datasets to produce cartographically sound digital maps
  • the ability to carry out GIS-based spatial data analysis procedures
     


Course Description

This course introduces you to open source and cloud based solutions for GIS. There is also a strong emphasis on spatial databases and the use of ‘open data’. The course focusses on the use of new and emerging technologies for the management, analysis, interpretation and presentation of spatial information. There is a strong practical component and you will implement a number of demonstrator projects using different software systems. You will also develop your own spatial analysis project using open data and open source or cloud-based GIS solutions.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Use a range of open source and cloud-based GIS software
  2. Create a spatial database
  3. Explain the standards applicable to web GIS services
  4. Publish a web mapping service
  5. Write a reflective journal describing the development of your learning in the course
  6. Develop a cloud based solution to a GIS analysis problem using publically available data


This course contributes to the development of the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC058 Master of Applied Science (Geospatial Science):

1.2 Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the spatial models and mathematical methods used in contemporary practice.

1.3 Understand specialist bodies of knowledge in geospatial science.

2.1 Apply standard and advanced techniques to solve a range of measurement, analysis and data management problems.

2.3 Be proficient in the recording, storage, management, representation and reporting of spatial information.

6.1 Be self-motivated and personally responsible for your actions and learning

6.3 Professionally manage and use information


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively involved in a variety of learning activities, such as:

  • formal lectures, where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and key concepts and procedures will be illustrated with examples and demonstrations.
  • structured practical sessions, where tutorials and projects will be conducted and discussed, enabling you to develop competencies in applying GIS operations critically and solving practical problems creatively.
  • completion of demonstrator projects and your own larger project that require investigation and problem solving, leading to an integrated understanding of the subject matter.
  • a reflective journal, where you describe the learning challenges faced and the development of your own knowledge and understanding of the key concepts in the course

Total study hours

24 hours of lectures and 12 hours of structured practical sessions. In addition, another 12 hours of supervised project time is available in computer laboratories. Students are expected to devote considerable time to the development and completion of their own GIS project using the systems covered in the course.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be able to access course information and learning materials through Canvas and will be provided with copies of additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided. You also have access to virtual computing environments, GIS software, computer laboratories for practical tutorials, projects and written assignments.


Support can also be found at RMIT Library Guides: http://rmit.libguides.com/geospatial


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment tasks:

 

Assessment tasks

 

Early Assessment Task:  Online discovery task and discussion

Weighting 5%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1

Assessment Task 2:  Reflective journal.

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 5

Assessment Task 3:  QGIS exercise

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2 & 3

Assessment 4: CartoDB exercise

Weighting 5% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment 5: ARCGIS Online exercise

Weighting 5% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2,3 & 4

Assessment 6: Project exercise

Weighting 45% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2,3, 4 & 6

Assessment 7: Class test

Weighting 10% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2,3, 4 & 5

Assessment 8: Essay

Weighting 10% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2,3, 4 & 5