EAE5052 Spatial data interoperability and integration
Faculty of Science
EAE5052 Spatial data interoperability and integration is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs EAE4051 and unlocks 1 unit.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EAE5052
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After EAE5052
1 unit list EAE5052 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
Spatial data interoperability is the ability to access, share, exchange and manipulate spatial data stored in heterogeneous distributed repositories. It is a cornerstone tenet of a spatial data infrastructure and enables the sharing and integration of spatial data between systems in different organisations and across applications and industries. This unit introduces the concept of spatial data infrastructure, international standards enabling spatial data interoperability, spatial data structures and file formats, the common approaches to spatial data exchange including the Extract, Transform and Load (ETL) method, and tools for spatial data exchange and integration such as Feature Manipulation Engine (FME) and the ArcGIS Data Interoperability extension. It has a strong practical element, encompassing a set of hands-on practicals and projects in which you undertake spatial data transformation and integration for various applications using the taught approaches and tools.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Practical workDemonstration40%
- Group ProjectWritten40%
- Individual ProjectProject20%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Understand the importance of spatial data interoperability;
- 2
Be familiar with international spatial data standards;
- 3
Describe common spatial data structures and file formats
- 4
Comprehend the concept, principles and components of spatial data infrastructure;
- 5
Grasp the common methods and skills for the spatial data exchange;
- 6
Obtain skills for spatial data integration.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities30 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- 1-hour lecture videos;
- 2-hour workshops;
- 3-hour practicals/projects and
- 6-hour independent study per week
The unit is composed of online pre-recorded lecture videos, recommended readings, two-hour workshops, and three-hour computer-based practicals/projects on a weekly basis. The workshops are designed to engage you in learning through (1) reviewing and discussing key concepts introduced in the online lecture videos, or (2) presenting case studies. The workshops and lecture videos are to explain the concepts and principles and demonstrate how they are applied to address the real-world problems. Practicals help develop skills and competency. The projects are designed to help develop ability to apply the learnt knowledge and skills to solve complex problems.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Moellering, H. (2013). Spatial Database Transfer Standards: Current International Status. Pergamon.
Carucci, J. (2023) Spatial Data for the Enterprise For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons.
Other readings to be advised during the course.
Technology resources
Software: ArcGIS Pro (campus licensed) and FME Desktop.
Where it fits
EAE5052 is part of 1 area of study in the 2026 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Xuan Zhu
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EAE5052?
You need EAE4051 before you enrol.
What can I take after EAE5052?
EAE5052 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including EAE5018.
When is EAE5052 offered?
In 2026, EAE5052 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does EAE5052 have an exam?
No. EAE5052 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include EAE5052?
EAE5052 is part of Earth science.