ENV 103 : Digital Earth
Science
2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course introduces geospatial techniques, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, mapping, modelling and GeoAI big data analytics. Students will gain understanding of the use of large environmental and social datasets, and build expertise in collecting, managing, and analysing quantitative data. Additionally, they will learn to understand the limitations of these data, and how quantitative and qualitative data can support informed decision-making. Digital Earth equips students with vital skills that contribute to our understanding and visualisation of environmental and social systems in our data-driven world.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | People and Place |
| Capability 2: | Sustainability |
| Capability 3: | Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 4: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 5: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 6: | Communication |
| Capability 7: | Collaboration |
| Capability 8: | Ethics and Professionalism |
Learning Outcomes
- Explain their understanding of spatial data science using earth, environmental and social examples (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
- Demonstrate understanding of geospatial techniques, models and quantitative data (Capability 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Critically evaluate geospatial datasets to derive meaningful patterns and insights from earth and societal systems (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8)
- Work collaboratively with digital tools to visualise and explain spatial data and processes they represent (Capability 5, 6, 7 and 8)
- Communicate ideas clearly and effectively to diverse audiences using a range of technologies and format (Capability 4, 5, 6 and 7)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratories | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Test and Quizzes | 40% | Individual Coursework |
| Poster/blog | 15% | Group Coursework |
| Reflection | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Laboratories | ||||||||||
| Test and Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Poster/blog | ||||||||||
| Reflection | ||||||||||
Key Topics
2) From Physical Reality to Digital Representations: Transitioning through Analogue and Digital Worlds
3) Collecting, Managing, and Analysing Large-Scale Environmental and Social Datasets
4) Mapping and Visualizing Earth Systems across Scales
5) Spatial Analysis: Techniques and Applications
6) Introduction to Remote Sensing: Methods, Data Acquisition, and Interpretation
7) Introduction to GPS and Big Data Analytics for Geospatial Insights
8) Basics of Modelling Spatial Data to Address Environmental and Societal Challenges
9) Principals of GeoAI: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Geospatial Analysis
10) Epistemic Politics of Digital Earth: Representation, Knowledge, and Power
11) The Political Economy of Digital Earth: Ownership, Control, and Governance
Special Requirements
Tuākana
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in. The following time inputs are indicative of what a student may spend on this course:
- 12 hours of in-person lectures (12 x 1 hour), 12 hours of online content (12 x 1 hour); 10 hours of laboratories (5 x 2 hours); 10 hours for quizzes and test; 96 hours for self-study (readings, recordings, practicing lab content etc.) and test, quiz, and poster/blog preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
- Attendance is expected at lectures and laboratories.
- Lectures and associated online material will be available as recordings.
- Attendance on campus is required for the test.
- The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
- Completion of any online material associated with lectures will be expected prior to lectures, or as otherwise advised.
- Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement or be released progressively throughout the course.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Other Information
All course content related discussions, questions, etc., for the course will be conducted through Piazza. Personal matters will still be dealt with through email, but course content related questions will not be responded to. You are encouraged to ask questions when you are struggling to understand concepts. The quicker you begin asking questions on Piazza the quicker you will benefit from the collective knowledge of your classmates and instructors.
Email policy:
Emails will only be responded to during normal weekday working hours so please do not expect rapid responses outside these times. As a courtesy, and to ensure a more rapid response, ensure the following:
- emails should be sent from your University of Auckland email account
- include your name and student ID# in the email
- the subject line should clearly indicate the course number and what the email concerns
- emails should be written in a professional manner, spell-checked and proof-read before sending
- do not use txt or social media-type speak in emails
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.