GEOS 3014/3914: GIS in Coastal Management

GEOS 3014 GIS in Coastal Management (6cp)
GEOS 3914 GIS in Coastal Management (Advanced) (6cp)
A/Prof Peter Cowell and Dr Eleanor Bruce

Session: July
Prerequisites: 12 credit points of Intermediate Geosciences Units or (MARS 2005 or MARS 2905) and (MARS 2006 or MARS 2906).
Classes: 2 lec, 3 hr prac/wk comprising 1x1hr prac. demonstration and 1x2 hr prac.
Assessment: 1 x 2 hr exam, project work, 2 x prac-based project reports, bi-weekly progress quizzes. Independent assessment required for advanced Unit of Study.

Coastal Management is about how scientific knowledge is used to support policy formulation and planning decisions in coastal environments. The Unit links coastal science to policy and practice in management of estuaries, beaches and the coastal ocean. The principles are exemplified through specific issues, such as coastal erosion, pollution, and impacts of climate-change. The issues are dealt with in terms of how things work in nature, and how the issues are handled through administrative mechanisms. These mechanisms involve planning strategies like Marine Protected Areas and setback limits on civil development in the coastal zone. At a practical level, the link between science and coastal management is given substance through development and use of ‘decision-support models’. These models involve geocomputing methods that entail application of simulation models, remotely sensed information, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course therefore includes both principles and experience in use of these methods to address coastal-management issues. (It thus also extensive use of computers.) Although the focus is on the coast, the principles and methods have broader relevance to environmental management in particular, and to problem-solving in general. That is, the course has vocational relevance in showing how science can be exploited to the benefit of society and nature conservation.