Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Drones have emerged as an invaluable tool to collect data on environmental systems and processes. While drones now come with highly capable sensors and flight planning tools, the methods to collect, process, analyse and interpret drone data are less well understood, but critical to the successful application of drone data for management. Rivers and their associated catchments provide an ideal location to explore the use of drones in environmental and catchment management. This course will use drones to collect topographic, multispectral and point cloud data. Drone remote sensing skills are applicable to a diverse range of disciplines, including geographical, agricultural, hydrogeological, environmental and biological sciences. Students will plan drone data collection and then work with trained drone pilots during the fieldtrip to collect field data with drones. The course is divided into three modules. The first component introduces foundational principles of fluvial geomorphology, plus river and environmental management concepts. The second component covers drone data collection and processing. In the third part of the course, students will apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the first two modules, using river and environmental management principles and drone data to compile an environmental management report.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Honours option in Environmental Science; Natural Resource Management [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate comprehension of the key principles associated with fluvial geomorphology, and river and environmental management; (2) evaluate appropriate drone data collection and processing methods; and (3) apply principles of river processes and environmental management when interpreting drone data and integrating it with environmental, spatial and other data including social and cultural values and traditional knowledge of river systems, to summarise key issues from a river reach into an environmental management report.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) geomorphology and environmental management concepts; (2) drone field sampling knowledge; and (3) environmental management report. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Nik Callow
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in
- Advisable prior study
- Students are strongly recommended to have prior study in: 1) an introductory GIS course such as GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems, ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems
or an equivalent introductory GIS unit, AND 2) an introductory physical geography, hydrology
or geomorphology course such as ENVT2251 Environmental Hydrology
or GEOS4499 Land and Water Fundamentals,
or an equivalent unit.
- Contact hours
- lecture/workshop: ~2-3 hours per week
field trip: one-day fieldtrip
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.