Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Government has historically had a role in the processes of land administration through activities such as the granting of land titles, land taxation, and environmental regulation programmes. Today, the quantity of data that can be handled, the speed with which these data can be processed, and the ways in which the data can be manipulated and analysed are increasing. These changes, together with the gradual introduction of formal, systematic planning techniques, have focused attention on the need for new strategies and procedures for gathering, administering, analysing, and disseminating land-related information. This growth has in turn led to an emphasis on information as an all important and expensive resource in its own right, and one that must be efficiently managed.
Spatial Scientists have a major role in the evolving development of spatial and land information systems as providers of data for, and users of, information from the information infrastructure necessary for land allocation and settlement and the additional technical and resource information needed for resource development. This unit builds on the earlier units UDB281 GIS and UDB285 Cadastral Surveying and Mapping.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide you with an understanding of the development and maintenance of the spatial data infrastructure in place in Australasia and worldwide to supply information for ordered and informed development.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the following discipline specific capabilities at an intermediate level:
1. knowledge of the extent, theory and practice of spatial and land information management including the consequences of commodification of spatial information;
2. an understanding of the policy-making mechanism by, and within, which spatial information systems are being developed and operate throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Queensland;
3. an appreciation of information technology hardware and software potential and limitations for use of geographic information systems;
4. an understanding of the institutional, economic and social impacts of land information systems.

Content

The content of this unit is as follows:
- Historical evolution of Spatial and Land Information Management Systems
Types of SLIMS and characteristics of data.
- Spatial Information Science Application Areas: application areas; resource management; urban and rural planning; cadastral administration; facilities management.
- System Planning: system planning overview; functional requirements analysis; system evaluation; benchmarking.
- System Implementation: database creation; implementation issues; implementation strategies.
- Other Aspects of LIS: standards; legal issues; knowledge-based techniques.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will be expected to attend a 1-2 hour lecture each week followed by a 2 -3 hour workshop with other students. The lectures will introduce relevant topics that will be expanded on in the workshops where active learning exercises will be conducted. You will also be working on a research paper for much of the semester, which will provide you with a context for these professional skills activities. Small bi-weekly assessable tasks will help guide you, keep you on track and give you regular feedback on your progress.

You will also have a final examination to sit in the examination period at the end of the semester.

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lectures: 1-2
Tutorials/Workshops: 2-3

Assessment

The assessment unit follows the assessment policy stated in the Manual of Policies and Procedures (MOPP) section C/5.1.1 You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions through the semester.

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: You will be required to review and report individually on four papers of topical interest related to spatial data infrastructure. Each review to be no more than 400 words.
Relates to objectives: 1. A knowledge of spatial and land information management including the consequences of commodification of spatial information.
2. An understanding of the policy-making mechanism by and within which spatial information systems are being developed.
3. An appreciation of information technology hardware and software potential.
4. An understanding of the impacts of land information systems.
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: 3,5,7 and 9

Assessment name: Research Paper
Description: Research Paper and Presentation
Research Paper not longer than 3000 words and formal presentation of paper not longer than 15 mins.
You will be required to research and report individually on an evolving area of interest or concern related to spatial data infrastructure.

Additional Information: Week 12- Draft of Paper; Week 13 - Presentation; Week 14 - Submission
Relates to objectives: 1. A knowledge of the extent, theory and practice of spatial and land information management including the consequences of commodification of spatial information.
2. An understanding of the policy-making mechanism by and within which spatial information systems are being developed and operate throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Queensland.
3. An appreciation of information technology hardware and software potential and limitations for use of geographic information systems.
4. An understanding of the institutional, economic and social impacts of land information systems.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: week 12, 13 and 14

Assessment name: Quiz
Description: MCQ Test - one and one half hours duration.
The quiz will be comprised of short answer questions and multiple choice questions. The questions will test your understanding of all material presented within lectures, tutorials and practicals up to Week 9.
Relates to objectives: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of the extent, theory and practice of spatial and land information management including the consequences of commodification of spatial information.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the policy-making mechanism by and within which spatial information systems are being developed and operate throughout the world, with particular emphasis on Queensland.
3. Demonstrate appreciation of information technology hardware and software potential and limitations for use of geographic information systems.
4. Demonstrate understanding of the institutional, economic and social impacts of land information systems.
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 10

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Text:
Nil; however a number of resources are made available on the unit's Blackboard site.

References:

Dale, P. and J. McLaughlin. 1988. Land Information Management. Oxford: Clarendon Press. (QUT Lib Cat No 333.73130285 6)

Aronoff, S. 1989. Geographic Information Systems: A Management Perspective. Ottawa: WDL Publications. (QUT Lib Cat No 910.285///9)

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit. You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the computer laboratory under the supervision of the lecturer and technical staff of the School. The Faculty's health and safety policies and procedures will apply to these sessions.


Additional Costs
There are no additional costs associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 19-Oct-2012