| CODE | BIO3090 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | Environmental Applications, Informatics and Management | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Biology | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | 1. Remote Sensing and the Environment A brief review of basic concepts in remote sensing including sensors; thermal IR; visible and near IR; and radar remote sensing. Data analysis and processing. Image classification. Applications of remote sensing in environmental management 2. Collection and use of environmental data Themes to be discussed include: general aspects of environmental data including type; field collection and laboratory processing of environmental data; different types of environmental data; use of environmental data in surveys and monitoring; aspects of guidelines and procedures requested by environment authorities. 3. Environmental Informatics The use and applications of informatics to the study and management of environmental resources; an introduction to geographical information systems and their applications to land-use classification, agriculture, coastal processes and others; 4. Procedures used in environmental management Environment impact assessments and other regulatory procedures. Students are informed that regular attendance to lectures, and to practical classes is obligatory. Students will be allowed to sit for the examination and a grade may be awarded to a particular study-unit only if attendance to lectures, and practical sessions has been regular and if they have submitted all assignments and report(s) as required. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit aims at presenting a range of tools and techniques which are employed in environmental biology and management. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the characteristics of a range of sensors employed in environmental remote sensing including thermal IR, visible and near IR, and radar remote sensing; List and describe the environmental applications for different sensors; - Describe the different phases in data analysis and processing in environmental remote sensing; - Describe the application of remote sensing in environmental management; List the various types of environmental data, field collection methods, and processing and analytical procedures for environmental studies; - Describe the different types of matrices used in data collection and sample analyses procedures; - Describe the various applications of environmental survey and monitoring procedures, and design data collection and sampling programmes; - Describe basic concepts used in the identification of biological impacts resulting from human activities, including ones related to environment impact assessments; - Describe the uses and applications of informatics to the study and management of a wide range of environmental resources; - Define what is a Geographic Information System (GIS) and explain its principles; List applications of GIS in environmental management. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Understand the various principles underlying collection and use of environmental data, and the basic concepts used in the identification of biological impacts resulting from human activities, including ones related to environment impact assessments; - Understand the principles of remote sensing and application of remote sensing techniques to a wide range of environmental applications; - Evaluate management and commercial principles to the use of remote sensing to various environmental applications; - Use and report on GIS software at an introductory level through the completion of a spatial analysis exercise and production of a report; - Make appropriate literature review; - Critically assess published literature and apply its findings to communicate scientific information in the appropriate manner. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - CLARKE, K. (Latest edition) Getting Started with Geographic Information Systems. - Institute of Environmental Assessment (Latest edition). Guidelines for Baseline Ecological Assessment. Biddles Ltd., UK.IOC-UNESCO (Latest edition). MSPglobal International Guide on Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning. - Spellerberg I.F. (Latest edition). Monitoring Ecological Change. Cambridge University Press. Supplementary Readings: - CAMPBELL, J.B. (Latest edition). Introduction to Remote Sensing, The Guilford Press. - Resource Perspective., Prentice Hall. - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (Latest edition). Marine spatial planning: a step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management. - JENSEN, J.R. (Latest edition). Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth - LILLESAND, T.M., KIEFER, R.W. and CHIPMAN, J. (Latest edition). Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation., John Wiley. - MACLEOD, C. (2015) GIS For Biologists: A Practical Introduction for Undergraduates. Pictish Beast Publications. - SCALLY, R. (Latest edition) GIS for Environmental Management. ESRI Press. - Treweek J. (Latest edition). Ecological Impact Assessment. Blackwell Science Publications. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST TAKE BIO3100 | ||||||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite: B.Sc. (Hons) 1st, 2nd and 3rd Year Study-Units or equivalent. Students are to note that they will be allowed to sit for this study-unit examination and will be awarded a grade only if they have regularly attended lectures and practical classes, if they have submitted any assignments, including practical reports and if they satisfy all other study-unit requirements. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Michelle Therese Bajada Joseph A. Borg |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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