# Programs and Courses

**Source**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/ENVS2015
**Parent**: https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/AACOM

- Code
  [ENVS2015](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/ENVS2015)
- Unit Value
  6 units

- Offered by
  Fenner School of Environment and Society
- ANU College
  ANU College of Systems and Society
- Course subject
  Environmental Science
- Areas of interest
  Geography, Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability, Population Studies, Information Technology, Resource and Environmental Management
- Work Integrated Learning
  Projects

- Academic career
  UGRD
- Course convener
  - Dr Bruce Doran
- Mode of delivery
  In Person
- Co-taught Course
  - [ENVS6015](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/ENVS6015)
- Offered in

  Second Semester 2026\

  [See Future Offerings](#terms)
- STEM Course

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GIS and Spatial Analysis ([ENVS2015](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/ENVS2015))

- [Introduction](#introduction)
- [Learning Outcomes](#learning-outcomes)
- [Work Integrated Learning](#learning-outcomes)
- [Indicative Assessment](#indicative-assessment)
- [Workload](#workload)
- [Inherent Requirements](#inherent-requirements)
- [Requisite and Incompatibility](#incompatibility)
- [Prescribed Texts](#prescribed-texts)
- [Other Information](#other-information)
- [Minors](#minors)
- [Fees](#fees)
- [Offerings and Dates](#terms)

This course provides an introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and is based around a hypothetical, but realistic Environmental Impact Study in a small regional catchment. GIS are widely used by government agencies and research organistions in the environmental sciences and to assist with resource and environmental management decision making, in part due to the rapid growth in the availability of high quality digital spatial data.

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This course aims to develop both a solid theoretical understanding and a comprehensive practical grounding through the construction and integration of a range of spatial models. On the satisfactory completion of this course, students will have completed realistic hydrological, erosion, conservation, wildlife habitat, forest, agriculture, fire and economic models within the GIS. The integration of these sub-models to inform decision makers about recommended landuse options will be based on Multi-criteria Evaluation and Multiple Objective Land Use Allocation frameworks.

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**Honours Pathway Option**

Students who take this option are expected to write a critical review of a journal paper instead of doing the first test (20% of overall assessment). The essay is expected to show greater conceptual understanding and a degree of discovery learning. All other assessment and requirements remain the same. Students should make themselves known to the Course Convenor either in person or via email by the end of Week 2.

## Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. explain the theoretical and practical considerations required for conducting a GIS-based landuse planning analysis for decision support in a professional manner\
2. prepare, manipulate, display and analyse environmental spatial data\
3. use Global Positioning System (GPS) data to assist in conducting field checking of satellite imagery
4. synthesise and present high quality GIS-based outputs in a report format

## Work Integrated Learning

### Projects

All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a minor component of the course

## Other Information

Regular attendance and participation in class work is required. Any students who fail to participate in practical sessions on a regular basis but still submit practical work may be invited to demonstrate that it is their own work.

If you do not meet the requisites for this course, it may be possible to receive a permission code. If you are prompted for a permission code on ISIS, please request one online via the [following form](https://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/study/permission-codes).

## Indicative Assessment

1. Progress report (10) [LO 2,3,4]
2. First and second tests (HPO students write a critical review of a journal paper instead of doing the first test) (40) [LO 1]
3. Final report (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the [ANU Online](http://services.anu.edu.au/information-technology/software-systems/turnitin) website.

## Workload

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:

- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 1 hour lectures plus 1 x 2 hour computer lab per week
- Approximately 82 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.

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Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.

## Inherent Requirements

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.

## Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have completed 24 units towards a degree.
Incompatible with [ENVS6015](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2026/course/ENVS6015).

## Prescribed Texts

None

## Minors

- [Sustainable Systems](https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/minor/SUSY-MIN)

## Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.

**Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students**\
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at **[Fees](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/student-contributions)**. 

Student Contribution Band:
:   [2](https://students.anu.edu.au/fees/domestic/csp.php)

Unit value:
:   6 units

If you are a **domestic graduate coursework student** with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place**or international student** you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at **[Fees](http://students.anu.edu.au/fees/)**.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

| Units | EFTSL |
| --- | --- |
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |

## Course fees

[Domestic](#indicative-fees__domestic)
[International](#indicative-fees__international)

Domestic fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $5520 |

International fee paying students

| Year | Fee |
| --- | --- |
| 2026 | $7020 |

**Note:** Please note that fee information is for current year only.

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## Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the [Timetable webpage](https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/timetabling).

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
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Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

[2026](#course-tab-1)

[2027](#course-tab-2)

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 8403 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |

### Second Semester

| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 10182 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |