74032 SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELLING

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
01	74032 	S2  	X 	SPATIAL ANALYSIS & MODEL'G	1.00

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: A. APAN
Moderator: K. MC DOUGALL
Instructional design: J. WORDEN

PRE-REQUISITE(S)

E4023


RATIONALE:

The strength of most geographic and land information systems (GIS/LIS) depends on their capability to perform spatial analysis and modelling. Considered as the "heart" of GIS, spatial analysis and modelling makes GIS a powerful technology for land, environmental, and resource management. Thus, it is essential and advantageous for GIS and other professionals to be aware of the concepts, techniques, and applications involved in spatial analysis and modelling.


SYNOPSIS:

Students will be introduced to the concepts, techniques, and applications of spatial analysis and modelling. Topics include: spatial statistics; overlay analysis; map algebra and cartographic modelling; spatial interpolation; surface analysis and terrain modelling; proximity analysis; network analysis; fuzzy sets; and spatial analysis issues and trends. Emphasis will be placed on how spatial analysis and modelling is used in practical applications, and as a functional component of a modern GIS/LIS. GIS software will be used to demonstrate and reinforce the various analytical and modelling concepts.


OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able
to:

  1. recognise the importance of spatial analysis and modelling for
    GIS/LIS applications;
  2. define the concepts and techniques involved in spatial
    analysis and modelling;
  3. choose and apply appropriate analytical operations and
    techniques needed for a particular GIS/LIS applications;
  4. make appropriate use of a GIS software supporting spatial
    analysis and modelling functions; and
  5. critically evaluate the relevance and validity of results from
    a specific spatial analysis and modelling task.

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)
  1. Overview of GIS/LIS and spatial analysis and modelling 5.00

  2. The types and characteristics of analytical operations and 10.00 modelling in GIS

  3. Spatial pattern and arrangement of point, line, and polygon 10.00 features

  4. Spatial statistics 10.00

  5. Overlay analysis, map algebra and cartographic modelling 10.00

  6. Spatial interpolation, surface analysis and terrain 10.00 modelling

  7. Distance relationships and proximity analysis 10.00

  8. Network analysis: routing, districting and cost and 10.00 allocation functions

  9. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy geographical objects 10.00

  10. Issues and trends in spatial data analysis and modelling 5.00

  11. Applications and case studies 10.00


TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

Access to TNTLite software is required for this unit. The software
is available from the USQ Bookshop on CD.


REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the unit and enrich their learning experience.

Burrough P A and McDonnell R A, "Principles of Geographical
Information Systems"
, Oxford University Press, 1998.

DeMers M, "Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems", John
Wiley and Sons, 1997.

Chrisman N, "Exploring Geographic Information Systems", John Wiley
and Sons, 1997.


STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

	ACTIVITY				HOURS
Directed Study                                	52
Private Study                                 	50
Examinations                                  	3
Assessments                                   	50

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No  *F/S Marks     Due        Description                              Wtg(%)    LBL WWW
1   S    200.00    07/09/01  SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELLING 1          20.00     Y   N
2   S    200.00    23/10/01  SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELLING 2          20.00     Y   N
3   S    600.00    END S2    3 HOUR CLOSED EXAMINATION                 60.00     N   N

*F=Formative, S=Summative

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1    To  receive a passing grade in this unit a student must  normally
     achieve at least 45% in each of the assessments and at least  50%
     of the available marks for the unit.
2    A  minimum  standard of communication skills must be demonstrated
     in order for a passing grade to be achieved.
3    The  due  date for an assignment is the date by which  a  student
     must  despatch  the assignment to the USQ.  The onus  is  on  the
     student  to  provide proof of the despatch date, if requested  by
     the Examiner.
4    Students   must  retain  a  copy  of  each  item  submitted   for
     assessment.   This must be produced within five days if  required
     by the Examiner.
5    In  accordance  with  University's  Assignment  Extension  Policy
     (Regulation 5.6.1), the examiner of a unit may grant an extension
     of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.
6    If  students submit assignments after the due date without  prior
     approval then a penalty of up to 20% of the total marks  for  the
     assignment will apply for each working day late.
7    In  the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a  local
     public  holiday  in their area, such as a Show holiday,  the  due
     date  for the assignment will be the next day.  Students  are  to
     note  on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday  for
     the Examiner's convenience.
8    The   Faculty  of  Engineering  and  Surveying  will  NOT  accept
     submission of hand written or typed assignments by facsimile,  e-
     mail  or computer diskette.  Students in remote locations who  do
     not  have regular access to postal services may be given  special
     consideration.
9    The  final grades for students will be assigned on the  basis  of
     the  aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the  assessments
     in the unit.
10   A  closed examination is an examination where the candidates  are
     allowed  to bring only writing and drawing instruments  into  the
     examination.
11   The   Faculty  of  Engineering  and  Surveying  does  not   offer
     supplementary examinations.
12   Students who have undertaken all of the required assessments in a
     unit but who have failed to meet some of the specified objectives
     of  a unit within the normally prescribed time may be awarded the
     temporary  grade:  IM (Incomplete - Make up).  An IM  grade  will
     only  be  awarded when, in the opinion of the examiner, a student
     will  be  able to achieve the remaining objectives  of  the  unit
     after a period of non directed personal study.
13   Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related
     reasons,  are unable to complete an assignment or to sit  for  an
     examination  at  the  scheduled  time  may  apply  to  defer   an
     assessment  in  a  unit.  Such a request must be  accompanied  by
     appropriate  supporting  documentation.   One  of  the  following
     temporary  grades  may  be  awarded IDS  (Incomplete  -  Deferred
     Examination;  IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up; IDSM  (Incomplete
     Deferred Examination and Make-up).

This information is accurate as at 15/01/02