GEOG 103/103G : Mapping Our World

Science

2024 Semester Two (1245) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to contemporary geospatial technologies such as web-mapping, GPS and tracking devices (such as your phone), Remote Sensing and GIS. Covers key concepts and principles behind these tools and their use, along with practical experiences through laboratories. Critical and theoretical perspectives on the tools, their use, and their social impacts will be discussed.

Course Overview

Welcome to Geog 103 for Semester 2, 2024. This course provides an introduction to the conceptual base of Geographic Information Science, the practical use of geo-spatial data and various societal issues related to the use of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. This course will introduce students to a range of contemporary geospatial technologies. It covers key concepts and principles behind the development and application of these technologies. The course exercises cover a range of application of GIS for analysis and display of spatial data, focusing on non-programmable solutions.

OBJECTIVES
Students who excel in GEOG 103 are able to: 
  • Explain how and why public and private organizations produce and use geographic data, including topographic maps, remotely sensed imagery, and thematic maps.
  • Understand in overview how it is that geographical data are captured, stored, used and disseminated;
  • Understand some of the characteristics, availability, limitations and potential pitfalls of geospatial information
  • Develop the ability to use, manage, present, and communicate geospatial information.

Course Requirements

Restriction: GEOG 140, GISCI 140

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate how and why public and private organizations produce and use geographic data, including topographic maps, remotely sensed imagery, and thematic maps. Students will be able to demonstrate disciplinary knowledge and practice based on material delivered through the lecture programme. (Capability 3, 4 and 8)
  2. Understand in overview how it is that geographical data are captured, stored, used and disseminated. Students should be able to use geospatial data to solve complex problems. (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Understand some of the characteristics, availability, limitations and potential pitfalls of geospatial information. Students should be able to evaluate information and spatial data critically. Students will be aware of the ethical implications of the collection and dissemination of geospatial data. Students should be aware of the social and environmental responsibilities surrounding the capture, analysis and dissemination of a range of geospatial data. (Capability 3, 4 and 8)
  4. Develop the ability to use, manage, present, and communicate geospatial information. Students should become effective communicators of geospatial information using cartographic and visualisation techniques in a clear and organised manner. (Capability 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 30% Individual Coursework
Test 15% Individual Test
Project 15% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Laboratories
Test
Project
Final Exam

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

As part of the University-wide Tuākana community, The School of Environment Tuākana Programme aims to provide a welcoming learning environment for, and enhance the success of, all of our Māori and Pacific students. We are led by the principles of tautoko (support) and whanaungatanga (connection), and hope you find a home here at the School. Students who have identified as Māori and/or Pacific will receive an invitation to our online portal introducing the Programme, the resources we have available, and how you can get involved.
Māori and Pacific students are encouraged to contact Sonia Fonua (s.fonua@auckland.ac.nz) for information about the Tuākana programme.

Key Topics

Key topics addressed by the course are:
  • Spatial data models
  • GIS and computers
  • Remote sensing
  • Geo-visualisation and Web map s
  • Human and animal movement
  • GIS and Social Media
  • GIS applications in Climate Change and Carbon Sinks, Natural Hazards, Deforestation, Health, among others. 

Special Requirements

No special requirements defined.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend on average 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 22 hours of lectures, 16 hours of labs, 70 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 42 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events..
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

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.

Learning resources will be provided via Canvas

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.

Students have the opportunity to provide feedback via Class Representatives and the SET evaluations. This feedback is used when designing and delivering the course.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, 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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.