1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Geographic Information Systems
  4. Print

Geographic Information Systems (GEOM90044)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 6.25Off Campus

You’re viewing the 2023 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
Undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.

Overview

Availability
Summer Term - Off Campus
FeesLook up fees

This course will introduce the concept of a GIS as a problem solving technology within the geosciences, and through hands-on practical classes and lectures will provide the basic hands-on skills needed to design and implement a GIS project. Specific topics will include map projections and georeferencing, distortions in image data, raster and vector data models, incorporating digital terrain models and geophysical data, introduction to boolean logic and functions, data accuracy and access issues and limitations of GIS. The course will include examination of case histories of GIS projects and students will also build a GIS project of their own to solve a simulated exploration problem using MapInfo and other open-source software and a real world data set.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this subject, students should have:

  • An ability to identify the kind of digital information and software most appropriate to solving different geological problems;
  • An opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work with state-of-the-art geological data sets in digital form; and
  • Confidence and competence to interrogate geological problems employing modern digital techniques.

Generic skills

Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Handle large datasets in digital format
  • Exercise critical judgement;
  • Undertake rigorous and independent thinking;
  • Adopt a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks;
  • Develop high-level written report and/or oral presentation skills;
  • Interrogate, synthesise and interpret the published literature; and
  • Work as part of a team.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Knowledge of third-year geology strongly recommended; a knowledge of basic statistics would be an advantage.

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: 24 January 2023

Assessment

Additional details

Two practical assignments, due during the teaching period, 50% each assignment.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Dates & times

  • Summer Term - Off Campus
    CoordinatorRalf Haese
    Mode of deliveryOff Campus
    Contact hoursTotal of 40 contact hours over 5 days: x4hrs lectures & x4hrs practicals per day
    Total time commitment75 hours
    Teaching period13 February 2023 to 17 February 2023
    Last self-enrol date14 February 2023
    Census date15 February 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail18 February 2023
    Assessment period ends20 February 2023

    Summer Term contact information

    ralf.haese@unimelb.edu.au

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).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Additional delivery details

This subject is taught through the Victorian Institute of Earth and Planetary Sciences, in conjunction with Monash University: https://vieps.earthsci.unimelb.edu.au/.

Last updated: 24 January 2023

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Reading expected to be completed will be made available in the pre-teaching period.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Geoscience
    CourseMaster of Science (Earth Sciences)
    Informal specialisationEarth Sciences
  • 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.

  • 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: 24 January 2023