Course Coordinator:Sanjeev Srivastava (ssrivast@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
In this course you will learn theoretical, applied & practical aspects of modern & conventional geospatial techniques necessary for observing and analysing earth resources. You will acquire a combination of high-tech & low-tech geospatial skills that will include satellite image analysis, digital map creation, and surveying. In addition to performing GIS and image analysis, you will use instruments such as compass, theodolite, GNSS (GPS). Finally, you will integrate data-sets collected using various techniques in GIS to compare their suitability for different situations.
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronous learning materials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
| Laboratory 1 – Tutorials in computer labs and on-campus fieldwork. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation:
• Electro-magnetic spectrumand sensor types
• Analogue and digital image interpretation
• Image analysis (classification and change detection)
• Image analysis (enhancements)
• Remote sensing applications to a variety of areas
Ground truthing for satellite image using surveying methods:
• Surveying Techniques
• Using theodolite, compass and range finders
• Data collection and analysis
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS):
• GNSS fundamentals
• Global positioning system (GPS) and GLONASS
• Differential GNSS
• GNSS accuracy
Data collection and analysis:
• Integration of satellite images and other geographic data collected through surveying and GNSS in a GIS
• Visualisation through a cartographic map
• Data Analysis and Synthesis
200 Level (Developing)
12 units
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
| 1 | Describe, explain and assess geospatial techniques and concepts. | Knowledgeable |
| 2 | Select and apply geospatial tools and skills to address a real-world issue | Empowered |
| 3 | Evaluate and justify the use of different primary earth observation datasets for different applications. | Empowered |
| 4 | Demonstrate critical spatial thinking | Creative and critical thinker |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Basic knowledge of computer operation.
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
The task 1 for this course starts in week 3. This include a series of quizzes and activities where students get feedback on their performances.
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | Individual | 40% | 1500 words report on image analysis |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 2 | Report | Individual | 40% | Completing the fieldwork activity sheets (6 marks) Completing the fieldwork spreadsheet (4 marks) 1500 words report of surveying and mapping (30 marks) |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 20% | 2 hours |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Report on remote sensing image analysis and interpretation | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | The purpose of this task is for you to develop your skills and knowledge to interpret, analyse, and evaluate the provided digital satellite imagery from different sensors for specific landscape features with different image analysis tools. |
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| Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Format: | Submit: Week4, Week5, and Week 7. This task will have three parts. The first part will be about interpreting remote sensing images. The second part will be about comparing different satellite sensors. While the third part will be an individual report as a MS Word file with 1500 words. The report will require remote sensing image analysis of earth using different image analysis techniques. You will identify a study area and subsequently collect remote sensing data of the area. You will analyse the remote sensing digital data using image enhancement, image classification and/or change detection techniques. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Data sheets, spreadsheet, and report on surveying and mapping of field information and its relationship with remote sensing data sets | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | This task will consolidate your learning across the course. You will compare the information collected through remote sensing techniques with the information collected through surveying techniques for ground truthing. The ground truthing will be undertaken using basic surveying techniques and using the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receivers. For this, you will plan and undertake field-based data-capture operation using a variety of techniques. These techniques will involve use of basic surveying with instruments such as a compass, theodolite, range finders and tape measure. The captured data-sets will be tabulated for traverse calculation and mapped digitally in a GIS. |
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| Product: | Report | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | Submit: Week 10 Week, 11 and Week 12. Completed data sheets and spreadsheets on surveying and mapping for the first two parts, For the final part, an individual report as a MS Word file with 1500 words. The report will require mapping of the field data collected using conventional surveying techniques and using GNSS such as GPS. You will collect and or analyse data that will relate to this task. That process will ensure that you stay up to date and enable you to receive feedback on your learning in this large project. You will present methods of data collection and its subsequent mapping in geographical information systems. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Quizzes and activities (20%) | ||||||||||
| Goal: | This assessment task will facilitate your learning of geospatial technologies while considering the theoretical foundations. You will demonstrate your understanding of the critical concepts behind different geospatial techniques and their subsequent applications for observing and analysing earth resources. |
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| Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | |||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||
| Format: | A combination of multiple-choiceand short-answer questions |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Required | CRCSI | 2018 | Earth Observation: Data, Processing and Applications Series (Full text and other books in series are available online from https://www.crcsi.com.au/history-2/earth-observation-series-2/) | n/a | CRC Spatial Information |
The later part of this course will require field visits. See instructional manual for clothing requirements. The prescribed tutorial manual must be purchased from the reprographic services.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.
The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
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For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.
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