Programme Specifications. MSc in Geographical Information Science

Transcription

1 Programme Specifications MSc in Geographical Information Science Entry Level: Normally a second class honours degree in any subject. Mature students without this qualification but with relevant industrial or academic experience are strongly encouraged to apply. Aim To produce highly qualified and highly motivated masters graduates equipped to proceed either into the active commercial GIS industry, or into further academic research positions. Objectives To develop understanding in both the geographical and computational aspects of geographical information science. To develop understanding in the concepts and algorithms associated with handling spatially referenced data. To ensure students are familiar with typical GIS applications and have the capacity to translate problems into a GIS framework. To ensure students are aware of both the potential and the limitations of current software, spatial data resources, and information quality. To understand the implications for GIS of the managerial and institutional framework into which it is placed. To build competence in independent learning skills; research methodology; research implementation; oral presentations; report writing; web-based and multimedia communication; and team work skills. To expose students to the frontiers of current GIS research. Programme Quality Indicators: The programme teaching standards and resource allocation were rated as excellent in HEFCE s Teaching Quality Assessment exercise. The course has received recognition by the research councils, and is approved by the British Council for overseas applicants. External examiners have continually rated the programme as one of the best in the UK. The Course has been accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has been allocated the largest number of National Environment Research Council (NERC) studentships for any GIS course in the UK. 1

2 Course Content and Structure Code No. Title Credits Convenor GY 7020 Induction Programme 0 Dr Comber GY 7021 Introduction to GIS 20 Dr Comber GY 7022 Programming and Databases 20 Dr Jarvis GY 7023 Spatial Information Science 20 Dr Tate GY 7024 Research Design and Methods 20 Dr Comber GY 7027 Geographical Visualisation 20 Prof Brunsdon GY 7028 Earth Observation & Remote Sensing 20 Dr Tansey GY 7029 MSc Thesis 60 All Staff Participate Thesis (after the end of Semester 2) In the last five months of the course, students must undertake a research project. This provides students with the opportunity to examine in depth a topic of particular relevance to their interests and work. In the course of the, students must identify an appropriate management issue to investigate; develop a proposal that details their research methods; undertake a literature review; and apply theory to the particular organisational situation in order to produce a critically informed analysis. Subject and Professional Skills Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How demonstrated Knowledge Core knowledge of GIS; the place of GIS in a geographical context; the spatial database and principles of spatial data analysis. Concepts Geographical Information Systems and Geographic Information Analysis; Spatial Information Science; philosophical and practical approaches within GIS Techniques Practical application of GIS; development and execution of spatial data management strategies; GIS-based analysis of spatial data work, field-trips. work, field-trips reports, practical exercises, reports, practical exercises, Practical exercises, project reports, essays, 2

3 work, field-trips Critical Analysis Critical appraisal of published material. Ability to apply understanding of concepts with independence, rigour and self-reflexivity Presentation Presentation of: project results to professional standard; thematic data analyses to professional standard. Ability to organise and structure research material; ability to deliver written and reports and summaries Appraisal of Evidence Ability to analyse and assess a variety of complex geographical issues. Ability to assess the relevance and quality of a substantial range of primary and secondary literatures and materials. Ability to mount and sustain an independent level of inquiry at an advanced level. Ability to identify, assemble, analyse and manage complex datasets; ability to analyse and assess a body of thematic data using appropriate techniques and data models. Transferable Skills work Seminars, self-directed selfdirected research work Seminars, targeted reading, practical classes, self-directed selfdirected research work reports, reports, Intended Outcomes Teaching Methods How Demonstrated Managing, reflecting on, and developing one s own learning Identifying a credible research project; establishing an effective research timetable; managing information; reflecting on and writing up results. Developing specialised analytical skills Research Skills Ability to: analyse complex ideas and construct sophisticated critical arguments; plan and manage projects using human geographical spatial data; locate, organise and analyse evidence; report on findings; Components of Induction week and research methods module; seminars, practical classes, project work Core lectures, practicals and seminars, problemoriented practical exercises, project work exams, exams, 3

4 demonstrate GIS and data analytical skills. Working Relationships Project management; organisational skills; time management; ability to contribute and comment on ideas; working in groups Data Presentation Ability to: present project results clearly and effectively; use appropriate IT resources; to undertake basic statistical summaries and analysis; employ appropriate and effective graphical representations and summaries Communication Skills Ability to: deliver oral presentations; respond to questions; write clearly and concisely; make effective use of graphical summaries Problem-oriented seminars, proposal meeting, coordinator-student meetings Targeted seminar and practical sessions, essay, seminar, and practical report feedback Seminars, problemsolving exercises Oral seminar seminar reports, group-project reports, meeting coursework deadlines Seminar reports, group-project reports, Oral seminar essays, seminar reports, project reports, exams, 4

5 M.Sc./Postgraduate Diploma in Geographical Information Science Period of Registration: One year full-time. Entry Requirements: Candidates should have at least a good second-class honours degree or equivalent in Geography or a related discipline. Where English is not a candidate s first language applicants are required to provide evidence of appropriate language skills. In addition to the criteria listed above, candidates with significant relevant professional experience may be considered. Curriculum: In addition to the taught modules candidates for the Masters degree also undertake a or project on an approved topic. Assessment: The pass mark at postgraduate level is 50%. The details of the assessments for individual modules are set out in the relevant Module descriptions. All programmes within the Department of Geography follow Scheme B of the Postgraduate Scheme of Assessment. Qualifications Awarded: (i) Candidates who accumulate 120 credits from the taught modules and satisfy the examiners in each of the modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma. (ii) Notes: (i) (ii) Candidates who accumulate 180 credits, satisfy the examiners in each of the modules and submit a satisfactory /project will be awarded a Masters degree. Candidates may only be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma or the Masters degree. No candidate may be awarded more than one of the above qualifications. The Masters degree may be awarded with merit or distinction in accordance with the relevant scheme of assessment. Module Code Module Title Credits Compulsory GY7000 Induction Programme 0 GY7021 Introduction to GIS 20 GY7022 Programming for Spatial Scientists 20 GY7023 Spatial Information Science 20 GY7024 Research Design and Methods in Geography 20 GY7027 Geographical Visualization 20 GY7028 Earth Observation and Remote Sensing 20 GY7029 * Dissertation 60 * Compulsory only for the degree of M.Sc. All Modules listed above may not necessarily run in any one year.