Fundamentals of Geographic Information & Technologies (GEOM1000)

Course overview

This course develops fundamental quantitative, statistical and spatial thinking skills for geographers, geologists, planners, and environmental scientists and managers to underpin understanding and management of our natural and built environments and human activities. It draws from practical examples to enable students to appreciate the nature of spatial data collected from primary and secondary sources and to make informed decisions through scientific analysis of data and information. Emphases are on when and why the various data analysis techniques should be applied, how analytical procedures are conducted and the interpretation of results. Computers and data analysis software will be used.

This course aims at developing fundamental data, spatial thinking, and spatial technology skills for geographers, geologists, planners, and environmental scientists and managers to underpin understanding and management of our natural and built environments and human activities. It draws from practical examples to enable students to appreciate the nature of, work with and communicate about spatial data collected from primary and secondary sources.

Course requirements

Assumed background

There are no prerequisites for this course. Students are assumed to have a satisfactory level of achievement in secondary English (or equivalent) and reasonable general knowledge.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

ENVM1504 or GEOM1960

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Students are required to attend two one-hour lectures each week and one two-hour practical session most weeks. Please refer to your mySI-net timetable for up to date information.

The course uses Blackboard. You may find up-to-date schedules and due dates in the Blackboard menus for Lectures and Assessment, and from announcements.

Weekly Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) are available on a voluntary basis, and are recommended. These sessions will help you to learn, understand and answer questions about topics, practicals and quizzes. Please refer to the timetable in mySI-net for further details.

Aims and outcomes

1)ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ a basic understanding of the nature of spatial information acquired from primary and secondary sources;

2)ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ fundamental spatial thinking skills to analyse data and information for the benefits of society; and,

3)ﾠﾠﾠﾠﾠ skills to effectively communicate spatial information and analyze results

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Online Quiz 1 (Lectures and reading weeks 1-6)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

10%

Due date

15/09/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online Quiz 1 will be available on Blackboard within the assessment folder from 8/09/2025 - 15/09/2025.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).

Online Quiz 2 (lectures and readings weeks 7-11)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

10%

Due date

27/10/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online Quiz 2 will be available on Blackboard within the assessment folder from 20/10/2025 - 27/10/2025.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).

Assignments 1 and 2

Mode

Written

Category

Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

40%

Due date

Assignment 1 (18%) 19/09/2025 2:00 pm

Assignment 2 (22%) 24/10/2025 2:00 pm

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Submission guidelines

Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets required.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See the Additional assessment information section below for information relating to extension applications.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date.

For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).

End of Semester Exam

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

40%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Assessment Hurdle

In order to pass this course, you must meet the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):

You must obtain 45% or more on the End of Semester Exam.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to the UQ website for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course. 

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met. 

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates 

Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date. 

For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension 

For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184 

Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here:  https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Blackboard

Additional supplementary material may be posted on the Blackboard site for the course at learn.uq.edu

Please check the Announcements section of the Blackboard site regularly for information updates.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.