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Unit of study_

GEOG5004: Environmental Mapping and Monitoring

Semester 2b, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces methods for mapping environmental signatures in coastal and marine systems, using both biogeochemical analysis and GIS technologies. Students will learn, theoretically and practically, how environmental data is collected using a range of different methodologies (field and computer based), and application of this data to understanding landscape processes and quantifying environmental change. Students will acquire skills in applying environmental mapping techniques to interpreting key Earth surface processes and understanding the substantial impacts that humans can have on these, in terms of both contamination and remediation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code GEOG5004
Academic unit Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit assumes a sound understanding of scientific principles, HSC level mathematics and understanding of basic statistics.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Bree Morgan, bree.morgan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Alex Jones, alexandra.jones1@sydney.edu.au
Richard Murphy, richard.murphy@sydney.edu.au
Bree Morgan, bree.morgan@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) James Simpson, james.simpson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assessment 1
GIS Logbook
20% Week 03
Due date: 23 Oct 2020 at 23:59
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Tutorial quiz Assessment 2
Quiz
20% Week 04
Due date: 26 Oct 2020 at 10:00
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assessment 3
Field/laboratory module
20% Week 05
Due date: 06 Nov 2020 at 23:59
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Assessment 4
Remote sensing logbook
40% Week 08
Due date: 27 Nov 2020 at 23:59
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 A HD grade demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the subject area / standard of work. 

Distinction

75 - 84

A DI grade demonstrates outstanding understanding of the subject area  / standard of work. 

Credit

65 - 74

A CR grade demonstrates a good understanding of the subject area / standard of work. 

Pass

50 - 64

A PS grade demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the subject area / standard of work. 

Fail

0 - 49

A FA grade demonstartes an unsatisfactory or inadequate level of understanding of the subject area / inability to complete tasks to the minimum standard expcted.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Unit outline; Spatial representation and analysis; Vector data and spatial interpolation. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Introduction to GIS: Mapping and environmental measurement; Spatial interpolation: generating statistical surfaces to estimate continuous trends. Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Environmental (spatial) data; GIS summary – Q&A Quiz prep. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Temporal analysis: assessing spatial patterns of changes in contamination; Finalising GIS Logbook. Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Sydney's industrial past – managing a legacy of contamination; Sediments as records of environmental change and contamination. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
In-class assessment – GIS QUIZ; Field & laboratory module. Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Managing storm water and urban sensitive design; Introduction to remote sensing. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Field and laboratory module; Using ArcGIS pro for remote sensing. Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Mapping vegetation with remotely sensed data; Classification of remotely sensed data. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Mapping vegetation from satellite imagery; Image classification. Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Hyperspectral analysis; Unit summary – Coastal pollution and management. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Finalising remote sensing logbook Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

All lectures and practical classes for this unit will be held online, Monday from 9:30 am until 4 pm (Week 2 – Week 7). See Canvas for details.

GEOG5004 will be taught completely online in 2020. Access to the program ArcGIS pro is a requirement for completing this unit. For students with access to a computer with Windows, licences will be allocated to access this software. Students with access to a Mac computer will be able to remotely access the software. ArcGIS Pro cannot be operated via a tablet, computer access is a requirement for course completion. Detailed instructions on how to to install or access ArcGIS, depending on your operating system, is provided on Canvas.  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the role of environmental monitoring for quantifying system response to environmental change, and critically evaluate the effectiveness of management practices.
  • LO2. Understand the sources of error that are encountered in the collection and analysis of environmental data and how they can be minimised.
  • LO3. Understand the basic skills of spatial data integration and analysis for environmental change detection.
  • LO4. Understand the principles, theory and practice of monitoring and management of coastal environments.
  • LO5. Understand environmental sample collection considerations and techniques and apply these skills in field sampling situations.
  • LO6. Understand and apply laboratory techniques for processing and analysing environmental samples.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes implemented in 2020 based on new staffing for the course and new online restrictions.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.