Course Coordinator:Javier Leon Patino (jleon@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. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course will introduce you to the application of drones as mapping platforms for environmental applications. You will learn about the basics of aerodynamics, flight navigation systems, legislation, data analysis and have hands-on practical experience flying small drones (< 2 kg). The emphasis of the course is on employing rigorous science for processing imagery acquired with drones and deriving and visualising a range of 3D mapping products.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning material | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face computer Workshops | 2hrs | Week 2 | 7 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Synchronous and scheduled face to face tutorials. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 3 times |
Fieldwork – Face to face fieldwork | 24hrs | Week 8 | Once Only |
Online | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous online delivery of learning | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Synchronous and scheduled online computer Workshops | 2hrs | Week 2 | 7 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Synchronous and scheduled online tutorials. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 3 times |
Fieldwork – Virtual Fieldwork (attendance at the physical fieldwork is encouraged if possible) | 24hrs | Week 8 | Once Only |
• Drone platforms and navigation systems
• Drone regulations
• Mapping and monitoring drone applications for environmental science and management
• 3D photogrammetry and Structure from Motion algorithms
• Planning mapping missions
• 3D visualisation
300 Level (Graduate)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Learning & Teaching Council | |
1 | Explain fundamental concepts about using drones as platforms for mapping the environment |
Knowledgeable Ethical |
1, 2 |
2 | Design, use and evaluate different approaches to field data collection methods and interpret and analyse data collected with drones |
Creative and critical thinker Engaged |
3, 5 |
3 | Search, select and critically review relevant academic information and communicate findings orally and/or writing | Creative and critical thinker |
3, 6, 7 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Australian Learning & Teaching Council | |
1 | Knowing: Demonstrate a coherent geographical understanding of trends, processes and impacts that shape Australian and other environments and/or societies at different spatial and temporal scales. |
2 | Knowing: Demonstrate an understanding of Geography as an academic discipline, including awareness of its concepts, history and principal subfields, whilst acknowledging the contested, provisional and situated nature of geographical understanding. |
3 | Thinking: Apply geographical thought creatively, critically and appropriately to specific spaces, places and/or environments. |
5 | Investigating and problem solving: Resolve geographical questions by ethical means, applying evidence-based knowledge and appropriate research techniques, including those associated with field work. |
6 | Communicating: Communicate geographical perspectives and knowledge effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences using appropriately selected written, oral and visual means. |
7 | Self-directing and collaborating: Contribute effectively as a member or leader of diverse teams working in geographical or multidisciplinary contexts |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
GEO100 or ENS253
Not applicable
Not applicable
GIS and remote sensing
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Early feedback on the structure for Assessment product Task 2 report will be given during week 4.
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 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 15% | During computer workshop |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 2 | Report | Individual | 45% | 2000 words |
Week 7 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 3 | Oral and Written Piece | Group | 40% | 2,000 words and 10 minutes per group |
Refer to Format | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class |
All - Assessment Task 1:Computer workshop quizzes | |
Goal: | To develop your theoretical and practical skills in using drones for mapping applications |
Product: | Quiz/zes |
Format: | During weeks 2, 3, 4 and 5 you will be provided with data and exercises. At the end of the computer workshop you will complete a quiz/short technical report and submit via Turnitin. |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 2:Technical report | |
Goal: | To identify, interpret and communicate key concepts about mapping the environment with drones and to analyse and report drone-derived data. |
Product: | Report |
Format: | The report should synthesise and communicate results derived from computer workshops in a clear and concise writing style. The length should be a maximum of 2000 words and the structure should follow a conventional scientific report template. |
Criteria: |
|
All - Assessment Task 3:Field trip report | |
Goal: | To present the methodology and results obtained from fieldwork, including the analysis and discussion of data/evidence collected and conclusions derived from the results |
Product: | Oral and Written Piece |
Format: | A concise scientific report based on data collected by each group. The written report is due Week 12 and should be around 2,000 words and written in the style of a manuscript for publication in the peer-reviewed literature, including a reference list, as well as tables and illustrations, as needed. Each group will also present their main findings as an oral presentation during weeks 12 and 13 seminars. |
Criteria: |
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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.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
Recommended | Sharma, J. B. | 2019 | Applications of small unmanned aircraft systems : best practices and case studies | n/a | Boca Raton, Florida : CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group |
Recommended | Jonathan Carrivick,Mark Smith,Duncan Quincey | 2016 | Structure from Motion in the Geosciences | n/a | Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated |
Access to a Windows-based computer for running software. Field work is a significant component for this course. You will be required to undertake field work, where you will need to wear covered footwear, hat, long-sleeved shirt and long trousers for field safety. Detailed time, location and potential costs will be set out at the beginning of the semester. Discuss any financial hardship that might be associated with the field studies with the Course Coordinator.
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: 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 submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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