There has been a rapid growth in the use of digital spatial data in many areas of resource management and the environmental sciences. This course aims to develop both a solid theoretical understanding and a comprehensive practical introduction to the use of geographic information systems and simple modelling using digital spatial data and in decision support. The practical exercises take the form of an Environmental Impact Study in a small coastal catchment. On the satisfactory completion of this course, students will have completed realistic hydrological, erosion, conservation, wildlife habitat, forest, agriculture, fire and building economic models within the Geographic Information System. The integration of these components will be carried out using Multi-criteria Evaluation and Multiple Objective Land Use Allocation models within the GIS.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduate students but are assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain the theoretical and practical considerations required for conducting a GIS-based landuse planning analysis for decision support in a professional manner
2. prepare, manipulate, display and analyse spatial data
3. use a Global Positioning System to assist in conducting rigorous field checking of satellite imagery
4. synthesise and present high quality GIS-based outputs in a report format
5. critique existing GIS research and modify standard approaches to achieve higher-level modelling outcomes

Regular attendance and participation in class work is required. Any students who fail to participate in practical sessions on a regular basis but still submit practical work may be invited to demonstrate that it is their own work. Assessment will be based on:

• Project based on lab work (40%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Field journal (10%; LO 2, 3, 4)
• Critical review of journal paper, expected to show conceptual understanding and a degree of discovery learning (25%; LO 1, 5)
• Two term tests (50% total; LO 1)

65 hours contact comprising 26 hours of lectures, 22 hours of practicals and one day in the field (equivalent to three practicals)

Bachelor degree; general science knowledge.

with GEOG6009, GEOG6015 or SRES6015

Jensen, J.R., 2005, Introductory Digital Image Processing, Prentice Hall.

Chang, K., 2008, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (fourth ed.), McGraw.