GEOM1000
Summary of Semester 2 2023
This semester in GEOM1000 I developed my understanding of spatial thinking, technology and skills. The practicals enabled me to communicate data from primary sources (the data we collected on campus and online) and secondary sources (online data by other institutes). The utilisation of 4 main online programs; GIS, QGIS, Google Earth Pro and ArcGIS Online provided hands-on experience which benefited my skills. This StoryMap highlights the main accomplishments of practicals and summary of the course.
1. Trimble GNSS Planning online and UQ Tree campus
Figure 1 - Tree high and density St Lucia UQ campus - QGIS
In the first practical data collection was practiced and the GNSS Planning online tools was utilised to develop the basic understandings of global navigation systems satellite positions which are all fundamental factors for planning data collection. Throughout the second practical we applied our understanding of collecting primary data on campus at UQ to collect data on position of trees. This led to practical 6 were a shape-file was created from the data collected. An analysis of these data followed by the production of a cartographically correct map displaying tree densities in different areas of the UQ St Lucia Campus. This widened my perspective to understanding how information can be displayed in a map. Figure 1 highlights an image of the map created in practical 6.
2. Google earth pro
Throughout practical 3 Google earth pro was used and the practical provided an introduction on how to use Google Earth Pro. All the concepts which used apply to a variety of real-world applications. Practical 4 also utilised Google earth pro to become familiar with the coordinates and position measurements to locate places and objects based on their coordinates. To make measurements across long and short distance and then compare measurements with surface distance calculations. The translation of latitude and longitude coordinates into UTM was another addition to the practical. Figure 2 highlights a screenshot of the distance between two coordinates of Parliament House and Macau SAR Government headquarters on Google Earth Pro.
Figure 2 - Distance between Parliament House and Macau SAR Government headquarters
Figure 3 - Queensland Map with labelled airport names
3. QGIS
In practical 5 the open-source geographical information system (GIS) that can be used for visualising, editing, analysing and publishing geospatial information was introduced. The basic knowledge of the QGIS software to examine geospatial data such as coordinate systems, datum and projection information was learned. Figure 3 highlights one objective of the practical to create a map of Queensland with labelled airports.
4. ArcGIS
Figure 4 - Australian Population by state
Throughout practical 8 ArcGIS Online was introduced. In this practical the basics of ArcGIS online environment were learned. Figure 4 is a map created in ArcGIS online and is a visualisation of the population in each state of Australia demonstrated by colour. The total population of each state can be determined by clicking on each state for a configure pop-up. Additionally, figure 5 was created in ArcGIS and shows a map of Australia highlighting the Murray Darling Basin.
Figure 5 - Murray-Darling Basin
Conclusion
To conclude the content learned over this semesters in GEOM1000 are foundational topics and skills that will be used in real-life scenarios and careers. An overall understanding of spatial software for analysis and cartography was developed. This StoryMap was created using ArcGIS and highlights maps I created throughout this semester. Each software utilised is summarised in this StoryMap through images to tell stories about the world.
