UWA Handbook 2026

Unit Overview

Description

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing technologies have advanced rapidly in recent decades, and now provide essential tools for examining both natural and built environments. As core business in a wide range of private, public, government and non-government organisations, increased accessibility to spatial information and spatial analytic techniques has dramatically increased employment opportunities for skilled individuals. This unit moves beyond the fundamentals of GIS to explore in greater depth and breadth, concepts first introduced in GEOG2201 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems but with a heavy emphasis on Remote Sensing (the science of obtaining information about objects from a distance),

The unit focuses on providing students with a broad overview of Remote Sensing fundamentals, as well as an in-depth examination of how remote sensing techniques can support geospatial data acquisition, handling and analyses – with a particular interest in GIS-Remote Sensing integration. To this end, the unit provides theoretical knowledge and advanced skills needed to use GIS and Remote Sensing techniques to address pressing social and environmental issues while exploring a range of emerging data collection and analytic techniques.

Lectures focuses on the fundamentals of Remote Sensing providing exposure to emerging geospatial analytic tools (Google Earth Engine) with an emphasis on appropriate data handling and processing, as well as applied spatial analytic methods. Students will apply these concepts through weekly workshops investigating real-world spatial problems focused on managing natural and built environments. Students will conduct an individual innovative GIS/Remote Sensing project, the result of which will be communicated through a written report or oral seminar.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	On-campus

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Geographical Sciences; Agricultural Science and Technology; Environmental Science and Management; Agricultural Technology; Environmental Management; Agribusiness and Agricultural Science; Geographical and Spatial Science major sequences
• Level 3 option in the Criminology and Criminal Justice major sequence
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply fundamental and emerging geospatial data analytic techniques and technologies for a range of biophysical and social applications; (2) demonstrate an understanding of geospatial data collection and analysis techniques that are fundamental to human and physical geography, environmental sciences, agriculture and planning; (3) formulate an innovative spatial data collection and analytic approaches to critically assess a real-world spatial problem; and (4) communicate the results of that investigation in oral or written forms.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes ; (2) laboratory portfolio (tutorial assignments); and (3) geospatial data analysis project (written report and seminar). 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 Bryan Boruff

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

one Unit(s) GEOG2201 Geographic Information Systems

Contact hours

lectures: 2 x 1 hour per week
workshops: 1 x 2 hours per week