Overview 2023
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For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
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Learning Outcomes
Career outcomes
Professional Accreditation
The Bachelor of Geospatial Science (Surveying Major) is an externally accredited degree.
This course is accredited by the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board.
Graduates will partially meet the requirements for entry as a candidate for registration with the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and the Malaysian Land Surveyors Board. There are additional requirements for registration beyond the completion of this course including completion of a fourth year of study at AQF 8 via the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying (or equivalent).
For further registration requirements, please visit the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board or Malaysian Land Surveyors Board website.
If you have any queries about the accreditation process, please contact us for further information.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Geospatial Science requires the completion of 300 credit points comprising:
- 100 credit point Major
- 100 credit points of Core units
- 100 credit points of Elective units
A major is an area of focus in your degree. All students complete a Geospatial Science major as well as a set of core units.
In your Elective component you can choose from any units marked as "Student Electives" which you meet the pre-requisites for, at any level, from across the university.
Your electives can be used to add breadth to your degree, by exploring a variety of different subject areas from within or outside the College of Sciences and Engineering. Alternatively, you can deepen your engagement with specific subject areas, for example, by completing additional units in the same discipline as your major or related fields.
You can also use this space to complete an optional second major which may be a (i) *second disciplinary major, (ii) a sustainability major, or (iii) *another major from across the institution, noting some exclusions apply. (*to enrol in a second disciplinary major, or a major outside your discipline, please contact a Student Advisor via Uconnect).
We have a team of Course Information Officers available to help you structure your studies to meet your desired outcomes. For enrolment assistance please contact us via U Connect today.
Core
Year 1
This unit is designed to give students a general overview of spatial information and its applications. Spatial information is becoming an increasingly prevalent part of our daily lives. The ability to incorporate spatial information into various applications is a valuable…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KGG102 Introduction to Spatial Information
Satellite images and aerial photographs are used to observe the earth and its atmosphere. These images are used for mapping and monitoring our natural and human environment. Remote sensing is an exciting field that is constantly changing with regular launches…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 2
As more businesses and scientists adopt geographical information systems (GIS), there is increasing demand for graduates with strong skills in collecting, managing, analysing, and visualising spatial datasets. GIS and spatial analysis skills will be indispensable for almost all careers in…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit builds on the theory and skills of KGG103 Remote Sensing: Introduction and focuses on advanced aspects of remotely sensed image analysis. These additional remote sensing analysis skills are highly valued by employers in the spatial industry. The unit…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 3
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enable autonomous global positioning using signals broadcast from various satellite constellations. With an ability to achieve accuracies ranging from metres to millimetres, GNSS provides positioning capability that underpins a host of scientific, commercial, civilian, and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
View all details for KGG306 Global Navigation Satellite Systems
This unit builds on KGG212 GIS: Spatial Analysis and focuses on advanced aspects of spatial data analysis, including practical aspects of programming for GIS customisation. At the start of semester you will spend one day in the field collecting GNSS…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Major
Data Analytics
Do you want to join the growing number of data analysts who are developing systems and tools that enable information-based, complex decision making required for the development of modern society? The major in Data Analytics compliments your geospatial core units by providing a study pathway that combines studies in data handling and statistics with programming, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and big data computing. This major will equip you with the knowledge and skills to manage, analyse and interpret data using digital tools and solutions. You will learn to use cutting-edge technologies and applications, to gain proficiency in manipulating, analysing, and interpreting data to uncover patterns, trends, and relationships that allow you to assist in solving real-world problems. Upon graduation from this major you will have learnt to harness the power of geospatial data analytics to integrate and analyse multidimensional datasets, enable the generation of comprehensive insights and make data-driven recommendations. You will be ready to enter exciting career pathways where you will use your skills to contribute to informed decision-making processes, sustainable development, and evidence-based policy-making. The demand for skilled geospatial data analysts continues to grow and, depending on your interests and expertise, you will find rewarding work in government agencies, environmental organisations, consulting firms, technology companies, research institutions, or even your own start-up venture.
Year 1
This unit will provide students with an overview of programming and its role in problem-solving, and strategies for designing solutions to programming problems with reference to the Java programming language. Beginning with the fundamental characteristics of computers and how they…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
| ECA Melbourne | Semester 2 | ||||
Data Handling and Statistics 1 is the first of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). Statistics is the science of decision making, and as such forms a key foundation of any scientific research. This…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Year 2
Data Handling and Statistics 2 is the second of three applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). This unit is designed to extend students' knowledge of statistical data analysis. It builds on the concepts introduced in…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 3
The geospatial project unit allows students to undertake a significant investigative project within the discipline of Surveying and Spatial Sciences. The unit gives students an insight into project management skills including; project design, methods development, data collection, data management and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
The aim of this unit is to provide students with the foundation knowledge and understanding of Machine Learning and its applications in various domains including computer vision, data analytics and text mining. This unit will equip students with essential knowledge…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KIT315 Machine Learning and Applications
In recent years, due to advancement of internet technologies and instrumentation of every part of our life, we have noticed a huge surge in data available to us. This revolution is termed as Big Data. This Big Data cannot be…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
Data Handling and Statistics 3 is the third applied statistics units offered by the School of Natural Sciences (Mathematics). This unit is required in the Statistics and Decision Science major and it provides an extension of the concepts, methods and…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Landscape Systems
Are you interested in contributing to the management and monitoring of our valuable natural resources and working towards a sustainable future? The Landscape Systems major is specifically designed to complement your core geospatial units by providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the natural environment via a study pathway that includes units from a range of disciplines such as geography, geology, and environmental science. Throughout your studies in this major, you will develop a deep and scientific understanding of the complex interactions between physical landscapes, human activities, and environmental systems. Upon completion of the Landscape Systems major you will have attained work-ready skills that will enable you to contribute to an environmentally responsible and resilient future through informed decision making relating to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of our natural resources. Graduates from this major are highly sought after in careers relating to environmental management, natural resource management, land use planning, and agricultural systems.
Year 1
The unit provides a broad understanding of the dynamic processes that are active at and near the surface of the Earth and is suitable for general science and arts students with an interest in the geological sciences. KEA102 is a…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Human-induced climate change is the most serious problem currently facing our planet - a global problem with increasingly obvious local impacts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that the next 10 years will be critical to averting…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
View all details for KGA104 Introduction to the Science of Climate Change
This introductory unit develops your knowledge of how people depend on nature, and how increasingly the conservation of nature depends on people. We will explore these relationships through a values lens: how nature is important for its own sake, how…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
This unit aims to provide you with an understanding of fundamental concepts in ecology focusing on the ways in which organisms interact with their environment. It will explore this organism-environment interaction at different levels of biological organisation – from individuals…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 2
The physical and living aspects of the global environment interact to produce the extraordinary variety of landscapes, ecosystems and species that occupy this planet. This unit highlights the interplay and conservation of controlling processes so that they continue to maintain…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
A field-based unit taught in one of Tasmania’s distinctive natural environments. Students who successfully undertake this unit will develop a wide variety of skills in environmental data recording in the context of a project designed both to increase knowledge of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Spring school | ||||
| Hobart | Spring school (late) | ||||
| Launceston | Spring school (late) | ||||
| Cradle Coast | Spring school (late) | ||||
View all details for KGA213 Natural Environment Field Techniques
Year 3
Human-induced climate change is arguably the most serious problem currently facing our planet. Detection and attribution of human-induced climate change requires an understanding of the mechanisms of natural climate variability as well as trends in climate. Earth's climate is a…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Coastlines and river catchments undergo processes of change, bringing complex management issues. Focus is on sedimentary environments of hill slopes, river channels, beaches and estuaries, including natural hazards such as flooding, landslides and coastal erosion. Vulnerability of different types of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Geodesy is the study of the Earth's dynamic shape, size, and gravitational field. Modern space geodetic observations underpin not only our ability to determine precise location on Earth and in orbit, but a broad number of scientific fields that address…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KGG307 Geodesy: Observing Our Changing Planet
The geospatial project unit allows students to undertake a significant investigative project within the discipline of Surveying and Spatial Sciences. The unit gives students an insight into project management skills including; project design, methods development, data collection, data management and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit links your knowledge in agronomy, horticulture and business to the area of agricultural land resource assessment. We will develop your understanding and land management skills via practical experiences with SE Tasmanian soil and land resources. This unit will…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
Surveying
Would you like to help shape the world of tomorrow? Surveyors use their knowledge and skills to measure, map and model our world and play a critical role in the economical and sustainable development of society. Graduates in surveying are in high demand and find employment in a diverse range of industries and occupations. This major has a strong technical and work-ready focus thereby providing a wide-range of local, national and international career options for students immediately upon graduation. Many progress to careers in land, engineering, mining and hydrographic surveying, others join teams working in areas such as environmental management, geospatial data collection and analysis and land development planning. This major is accredited and is a required study pathway for students wishing to articulate to the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying and progress to candidature with the Tasmanian Land Surveyors Accreditation Board and fulfill the legislated requirements to become a registered land surveyor.
Note: a satisfactory achievement (or higher) in TCE Year 12 Mathematics Methods (or equivalent) is a pre-requisite for this major.
Year 1
The applicability of calculus and linear algebra is so broad that fluency in it is essential for a successful career in a variety of areas including science and engineering. This unit is devoted to the conceptual and logical development of…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 1 | ||||
| Online | Semester 1 | ||||
This unit is a continuation of KMA152, with emphasis on the application of single-variable calculus and linear algebra to problems in mathematics, the physical and biological sciences, economics, and engineering. The units KMA152 and KMA154 also provide an excellent introduction…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
| Launceston | Semester 2 | ||||
| Online | Semester 2 | ||||
Year 2
KGG220 continues from KGG255, developing a broader knowledge relating to the use and application of precise instrumentation and measurement methodologies in the fields of spatial information sciences and surveying. This unit develops students' skills in using optical levels and electronic…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
This unit will introduce students to field methodologies and equipment, calculations and analysis techniques used in surveying. This includes an overview of instrumentation and applications; elementary data collection; measurement of length, direction, azimuth, angles, etc.; theory and use of the…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Year 3
Geodesy is the study of the Earth's dynamic shape, size, and gravitational field. Modern space geodetic observations underpin not only our ability to determine precise location on Earth and in orbit, but a broad number of scientific fields that address…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
View all details for KGG307 Geodesy: Observing Our Changing Planet
In this unit students apply previously acquired knowledge of spatial measurement techniques, instrumentation and software to a range of specific surveying tasks e.g. industrial metrology, construction surveying (monument selection, control networks and set out techniques), road design (horizontal and vertical…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Observations of many different types are central to the determination of information across the geospatial sciences. In this unit, students will gain knowledge in the theory and practical application of least squares adjustment techniques including the reduction of raw measurements;…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Choose 1 from
This unit provides an opportunity for students to undertake work integrated learning in the fields of science and engineering to support preparation for the world of work. This may take the form of a work placement that provides an opportunity…
Credit Points: 12.5
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
| Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
The geospatial project unit allows students to undertake a significant investigative project within the discipline of Surveying and Spatial Sciences. The unit gives students an insight into project management skills including; project design, methods development, data collection, data management and…
Credit Points: 12.5
This unit is currently unavailable.
Electives
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
Domestic applicants who have recently completed secondary education
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. This is a new course for 2024. We anticipate that the lowest ATAR that will receive an offer for this course in 2024 will be 65.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
-
Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points) including Level 100 units. If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made.
OR
-
Completed a UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Applicants with previous VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent or above) in any discipline.
Applications on the basis of work or life experience
This course does not accept applications based on work or life experience.
Subject Prerequisites
These prerequisites apply to students from all educational backgrounds.
To be an eligible for an offer to enrol in the Surveying major you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subject:
-
Mathematics Methods (MTM415117)
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors for special consideration, including economic hardship, a serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the UTAS admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
For International students
All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.
English Language Requirements
This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
General Entry Requirements
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.
Please review the University of Tasmania's equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. We anticipate that the lowest ATAR that will receive an offer for this course in 2024 will be 65.
You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:
Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate IV or above
Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.
Course Specific Requirements
The following course specific requirements must be met to be eligible to study this degree.
To be an eligible for an offer to enrol in the Surveying major, you must have studies or experience equivalent to a satisfactory achievement in the following Tasmanian Senior Secondary subject:
-
Mathematics Methods (MTM415117) or equivalent
If you have not met a required pre-requisite, you will need to complete a University of Tasmania Foundation Studies Program before you start your course.
Credit transfer
This course will follow the University of Tasmania's Admission, Enrolment and Credit Policy to responsibly manage student admission, enrolment and the granting of credit in recognition of formal, informal and non-formal prior learning.
Students can articulate from the Undergraduate Certificate in Data and Environmental Management to the BGeospatial Science with credit for all of their completed units.
Articulation
Successful completion of BGeospatial Science degree with the Surveying major meets the entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma of Land Surveying.
Successful completion of this degree with sufficient proficiency meets the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Surveying and Spatial Sciences (Honours)
If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research. Filter the Course lists by Postgraduate to view the current courses available.
Alternative entry pathways
If you haven't completed the required pre-requisite unit(s), we offer foundation units to help you bridge the gap. Many run in spring and summer school so you can meet a prerequisite and not delay the start of your Bachelor level studies. HECS scholarships may also be available for domestic students.
Visit Foundation Units to find out more.
If you aren’t eligible for an offer to this course, you should consider enrolment in the Diploma of University Studies or the University Preparation Program.
Diploma of University Studies
University Preparation Program
In all cases, contact us to discuss an option best suited to your needs.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
This is a full-fee course, which means you’ll need to pay the full amount for your studies. Commonwealth Supported Places are not available in this course. However, there are still support options available for eligible students to help you manage the cost of studying this course.
You may be able to fund all or part of your tuition fees by accessing a FEE-HELP loan from the Australian Government. FEE-HELP is a loan scheme that assists domestic full-fee students to pay for University, which is repaid through the Australian Tax System once you earn above a repayment threshold. This means you’ll only have to start repaying the loan once you start earning above a specific amount
Our scholarships and prizes program also offers more than 400 scholarships across all areas of study. You can even apply for multiple scholarships in one easy application.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
International students should refer to the International Students course fees page to get an indicative course cost.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries