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Spatial Data Management (GEOM90008)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Martin Tomko
email: tomkom@unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Ehsan Hamzei
email: ehsan.hamzei@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject combines practical spatial data management with the underpinning theories of spatial and spatiotemporal data representation and handling from Geographic Information Science. Spatial information is answering ‘where’ and ‘when’ questions – which are fundamental in decision making in complex systems, be it in urban planning, traffic and infrastructure management, environmental management, public health and sustainability, or any other social, economic, and environmental context.
The subject introduces foundations of effective, efficient, and large-scale spatial data management. This subject will cover the concepts, methods, and approaches that allow for efficient representation, querying, and retrieval of spatial data, in a modern ecosystem of spatial databases interfacing a geographic information system.
The knowledge acquired is fundamental for subsequent studies in spatial data analytics and visualisation, and is of particular relevance to people wishing to establish a career in the spatial information, the environmental, or the planning industry. It is also suited for every postgraduate student who is looking for solid skills with Geographic Information Systems.
In this subject, we will discuss the intricacies of computational representation and management of spatial information. The subject takes a spatial database perspective to management of extensive spatial datasets. The subject will cover the modelling, loading, transformation, analysis, and retrieval of spatial data in spatial databases. The subject covers data representations (vector, raster, and network data); spatial operations, including geometric, topological, set-oriented, and network operations; spatial indexes and access methods, including quadtrees and R-trees. The subject exposes the students to the whole lifecycle of spatial data management in a team-based project.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Associate the value of spatial information to digital infrastructure management;
- Evaluate fundamental data structures and analysis procedures associated with spatial information;
- Apply the database design process to manage information about infrastructure data;
- Combine advanced skills in the design and use of a spatial database supported by a Geographic Information System on a complex infrastructure project;
- Demonstrate professional skills in ethics and sustainability, communication, and teamwork.
Generic skills
On successful completion, students will have:
- The ability to transfer domain knowledge to fundamental challenges in society
- The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
- The ability to communicate effectively, with a project team and with the community at large
- The ability to effectively manage information and documentation
- An understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and a commitment to them
- A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
A background in (non-spatial) databases is recommended for this course, for example successful completion of INFO20003 Database Systems, or similar relational database design, ER modelling, relational algebra, and SQL.
An applied knowledge of GIS (e.g., GEOM20013) is also an asset. Students will be provided with self-learning resources to complement their training and knowledge if necessary, before the semester.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Documentation of a training experience of the interaction with non-spatial relational databases, and of basic GIS interaction. Addressing Intended Learning Outcome (ILO) 4.
| Week 4 | 0% |
Data Management project design proposal. Deliverable is a report of a maximum of 5 pages (per group) (25%), and in the appendix of the report a 1-page reflection per individual student (10%). ILOs 1, 2, 3 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 6 | 35% |
One individual assessment, targeting spatial data querying (Week 8), worth 10%. ILO 4 is addressed in this assessment.
| Week 8 | 10% |
Group project presentation requiring a 3-minute recorded video (10%), with an additional 1 minute recorded video of individual reflection (5%). ILOs 3 and 5 are addressed in this assessment.
| Week 12 | 15% |
Realisation of the spatial database previously designed in the project design proposal. Deliverable is a report of a maximum of 15 pages (per group) (30%), the realised implementation passing acceptance criteria and in the appendix of the report a 1-page reflection per individual student (10%). ILOs 1-5 are addressed in this assessment.
| During the examination period | 40% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Martin Tomko Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours (Lectures: 2 hours per week; Practicals 2 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Martin Tomko
email: tomkom@unimelb.edu.au
- Semester 2
Coordinator Ehsan Hamzei Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours (Lectures: 2 hours per week; Practicals 2 hours per week) Total time commitment 200 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Ehsan Hamzei
email: ehsan.hamzei@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
200 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notesLEARNING AND TEACHING METHODSThere will be lectures associated with weekly lab exercises to be done in a computing lab. Students are expected to interact with real systems and interact with each other in the labs.INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCESDuckham, Sun and Worboys, 2024. GIS: A computing perspective, third edition, Routledge, ISBN: 9781466587199.Rigaux, Scholl and Voisard, 2002. Spatial databases: With application to GIS, Morgan Kaufmann, ISBN: 1558605886.Shekhar and Chawla, 2002. Spatial databases: A tour, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 0130174807.Silberschatz, Korth and Sudarshan, Database System Concepts, McGraw Hill.CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKSSpatial data management is a fundamental professional skill for Spatial Information, Digital Infrastructure and Geographic Information Systems. Students will acquire knowledge in SQL and key database software packages, which will be essential for any future career they may aim to pursue.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Doctor of Philosophy - Engineering Course Ph.D.- Engineering Course Master of Environmental Engineering Course Master of Philosophy - Engineering Course Master of Data Science Course Master of Geography Major Climate Change Major Conservation and Restoration Major Conservation and Restoration Major Energy Studies Major Energy Studies Major Environmental Science Major Environmental Science Major Climate Change Major Tailored Specialisation Major Development Major Development Major Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Regions Major Sustainable Forests Major Sustainable Forests Major Tailored Specialisation Major Tailored Specialisation Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Integrated Water Catchment Management Major Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Regions Specialisation (formal) Spatial - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024