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Unit of study_

GEOG5004: Environmental Mapping and Monitoring

Semester 2b, 2022 [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 Kevin Davies, kevin.davies@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Eleanor Bruce, eleanor.bruce@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) James Simpson, james.simpson@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment GIS Logbook
Laboratory exercises from Modules 1 and 2
20% Week 08 Modules 1 and 2
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment UAV Flight Plan
Develop a UAV flight plan for field work.
10% Week 08 Module 2
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Tutorial quiz Environmental Monitoring and GIS Quiz
Multiple choice, true/false, short answer quiz.
10% Week 10 20 questions / 30 minutes.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment Remote Sensing Logbook A
Laboratory exercises from modules 3 and 4
20% Week 11 Modules 3 and 4
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Tutorial quiz Environmental Monitoring and Remote Sensing Quiz
Multiple choice, true/false, short answer quiz.
20% Week 13 40 questions / 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO2
Assignment Remote Sensing Logbook B
Laboratory exercises from modules 5 and 6
20% Week 13 Modules 5 and 6
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

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 07 Introduction to Environmental Monitoring and GIS. Review of spatial data models, map datums, and map projections. Introduction to spatial analysis and statistics for environmental data. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Mapping environmental measurements to estimate spatial trends in environmental measurements, and understanding error. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 08 Mapping and analysing spatiotemporal trends in environmental data. Introduction to UAVs for mapping and monitoring of coastal ecosystems. Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Assessing spatial patterns of temporal change in environmental data. UAV flight planning for fieldwork. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 10 Introduction to earth observation remote sensing for environmental mapping and monitoring. Understanding spatiotemporal scale for environmental monitoring using different remote sensing platforms. Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Introduction to image analysis, and exploring and presenting images of coastal ecosystems from different remote sensing platforms. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 11 Land surface spectral characteristics, supervised classification, and detecting landscape change. Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Mapping, analysing and reporting spatial patterns of landscape change in a coastal environment. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 12 Vegetation indices, phenology, and monitoring temporal trends in coastal ecosystems using remote sensing. Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Extracting phenological trends for a coastal ecosystem using remote sensing. Examination of potential drivers of vegetation response. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4
Week 13 The significance of coastal ecosystems and blue carbon. Statistical modelling approaches to estimating carbon content using remote sensing, and incorporating phenology in blue carbon assessments. Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Understanding and analysing a multispectral, high-resolution UAV image. Characterising carbon content in a coastal ecosystem. Practical (4 hr) LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

Classes for this unit will be online, Monday from 11:00 am until 4 pm (Week 1, 3–7). Each session will include ~2 h of lecture content, and ~4 h of practical content. Class will not take place in the mid-semester break (27 Sep – 1 Oct) or in Week 2 (Mon 4 Oct) when there is a public holiday. 

Lecture Content for each of these modules will presented as pre-recorded, live lectorials (online via Zoom), or a combination of both. Pre-recorded lectures will be available online in advance of the weekly online sessions. It is expected that you will carefully watch recorded lectures, and go through the supporting resources, prior to live lectorials and practical sessions. 

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.

Required readings

See Canvas.

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. Apply the basic skills of spatial data integration and analysis for environmental change detection.
  • LO4. Apply the principles, theory and practice of monitoring and management of coastal environments.
  • LO5. Understand environmental data collection considerations, and techniques for processing and analysing environmental data.

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 2021 based on new staffing and student feedback.

Work, health and safety

A number of safety considerations need to be taken into account when collecting sediment and water for the Week 1 practical, module 1:1. During sample collection, you will need to ensure:

  • You are obeying by any current COVID-19 restrictions and are not at risk of infection;
  • You are not collecting from a contaminated site. In Sydney this includes Homebush Bay or Alexandria Canal;
  • You are wearing field appropriate clothing and footwear to protect from the elements and wildlife;
  • Isolation/accessibility of your location is not a safety issue;
  • You inform a family member/friend of your intended destination, departure and return, or ideally take a field buddy with you;
  • There are no flooding issues or risk of flooding on the day of collection;
  • You are not collecting from an unstable bank / at risk of falling in the water

Detailed saftey instructions and other practical requirements are included in the Canvas instructions. Email the UoS coordinator prior to Week 1 with any concerns or queires. 

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.