2005 Handbooks

This, the first of three units (the others are GEOS371 and GEOS426) introduces students from a range of disciplines to Geographic Information Science. Today most organisations use a GIS (Geographic Information System) to capture, store, manipulate and display spatially referenced (mapped) information. This unit provides basic knowledge of and skills in GIS that are applicable to a wide range of organisations.

The unit is divided into four modules. Lectures in the first module introduce the nature of GIS and practicals introduce the basics of ArcGIS software. Module 2 and 3 run concurrently and focus on GIS topics related to biophysical environments and human and built environments. Lectures for modules 2 and 3 are common to all students: the biophysical environments module covers concepts and techniques commonly used in managing natural resources and includes remote sensing; the human and built environments module covers concepts and techniques used in urban management and planning. The practical programs for modules 2 and 3 are electives: the biophysical environment projects involve the management of the natural environment and human impacts on it; the human and built environment application projects involve planning and urban management. The fourth module covers both GIS issues and terrain modelling, and application areas such as natural hazards and bushfire management.

External students enrolling in this unit must have at home a computer with one of the following operating systems: Windows XP, Windows NT, or Windows 2000. External students selecting the biophysical elective are required to attend a one-day weekend on campus session, whereas those selecting the human and built environment elective do not.