Geographic Information Science, M.S. Majors in Computational Geosciences. 2012-201. Awase Khirni Syed 1 *, Bisheng Yang 2, Eliseo Climentini * 1 s.awasekhirni@tu.edu.sa, Assitant Professor, Taif University, KSA Reviewer : 2 bshyang@whu.edu.cn, Professor, Geoinformatics, Wuhan University, China Reviewer : eliseo.clementini@univaq.it, Professor, Department of Electrical and Information Technology, University of Aquila, Italy The Master of Science degree in Geographic Information Sciences (B.S. GIS) has been designed for those students who aspire to be Geographic Information Science and Remote Sensing professionals. GIScience program is designed for students interested in developing skills in the acquisition, processing, management and analysis of spatial data. The program aims to impart skills and understanding in Digital Cartography, Geographic Information Science, Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing that can be applied to real world problems in areas such as urban planning, environmental analysis, geospatial intelligence, health geographies, and human terrain analysis. Program Objectives The objectives of the M.S. (GIS) program are to provide students with the following: 1. The necessary fundamental knowledge regarding theory, methods, application and in particular providing a computational perspective to GIScience. 2. Develop a broad understanding of geography. Acquire Skills needed to carryout independent research and lifelong learning. Program Learning Objectives The integrated master s program (5.5 years) aims to provide a sound theoretical and practical foundation in geospatial computation. The programme aims to impart the following objectives 1. Provide students with a sound understanding of the theoretical principles underlying geocomputation. Page 1 of 8
2. Equip students with technical hands-on skills with Geographic Information System development, design and management.. Expose students to the state-of-the-art hardware and software skills necessary for geocomputation. 4. Express an understanding of the fundamental theory and concepts upon which the GIS technology is built. 5. Develop student s analytical and problem-solving skills through the integration of knowledge, insight and skills acquired in this programme. 6. Gain the ability to understand and perform spatial analysis and demonstrate high level skills in spatial analysis. 7. Demonstrate high level skills in geospatial problem solving. 8. Demonstrate the ability to design, implement, test and manage GIS projects. 9. Effectively communicate and present project results in oral, written and graphic forms. 10. Demonstrate a practical hands-on expertise on geospatial software and hardware. 11. Understand recent and on-going advances in geographic information science. No Course Credit Course Credit First Semester Second Semester Code Code 1. GIS-1-1001- Mathematics for GIS I T GIS-2-1002- Mathematics for GIS-II T 2. GIS-1-1002- GIS-2-1002- Computer Programming- II Object Computer programming I C & Data Structures Oriented Programming - Java. GIS-1-100- Software Engineering GIS-2-100- Systems Analysis and Design 4. GIS-1-1004- Introduction to Databases GIS-2-1004- Design and Analysis of Algorithms 5. GIS-1-1005- GIS-2-1005- Introduction to Spatial Statistics/Spatial Statistics for Geographers Analysis 6. GIS-1-1006- Principles of Geographic Information Systems GIS-2-1006- Geographic Information Science II 7. GIS-1-1007- Introduction to Photogrammetry and Digital GIS-2-1007- Image Interpretation and Digital Image Terrain modeling. processing techniques 8. GIS-1-1008- Surveying and Mapping -I GIS-2-1008- Surveying and Mapping II 9. GIS-1-1009- Atmospheric Physics T GIS-2-1009- Computational Geometry Page 2 of 8
Third Semester Fourth Semester 1. GIS--100X- Discrete Mathematics T GIS-4-100X- Orbital mechanics, GPS and GNSS 2. GIS--100X- Computer Programming III.Net Programming. GIS-4-100X- Hydrographic Surveying. GIS--100X- Cadastral Surveying 4. GIS--100X- Advanced Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing Techniques GIS-4-100X- Principles of Laser Scanning (Airborn, Terristerial, Mobile) GIS-4-100X- Spatial data adjustment. 5. GIS--100X- Advanced databases systems design and GIS-4-100X- Spatial database design and development development. 6. GIS--100X- Principles of land use planning GIS-4-100X- Satellite Surveying techniques 7. GIS--100X- GIS-4-100X- Cartographic Design : Electronic Atlas Design 4 Introduction to Digital Cartography and Production 8. GIS--100X- GIS-4-100X- Algorithms in GIScience and Remote Advanced spatial analysis Sensing. 9. GIS--100X- Open Web Mapping I 4 GIS-4-100X- Open web mapping II 4 Fifth Semester Sixth Semester 1. GIS-5-100X- Geospatial data GIS-6-100X- D GIS 4 2. GIS-5-100X- Advanced satellite surveying techniques 4 GIS-6-100X- Ontology Programming and Development. 4. GIS-5-100X- Model thinking GIS-6-100X- Urban Remote Sensing 4 4. GIS-5-100X- Remote Sensing for Metrology 4 GIS-6-100X- Introduction to Multi-sensor data fusion 4 5. GIS-5-100X- Sensors and Satellite design 4 GIS-6-100X- Disaster Management Systems and GIS 4 6. GIS-5-100X- LIDAR Technology and Applications 4 GIS-6-100X- Microware Remote Sensing 4 7. GIS-5-100X- GIS & Remote Sensing Project Management GIS-6-100X- Graph Theory and graph databases 4 8. GIS-5-100X- Remote Sensing for Terrestrial applications 4 GIS-6-100X- Urban planning and design using GIS 4 9. GIS-5-100X- Geovisualization 4 GIS-6-100X- Advanced topics in GIS &T 4 Seventh Semester Eighth Semester Page of 8
1. GIS-7-100X- Elective -1 Multi Dimensional Geographic Information Science 4 2. GIS-7-100X- Elective -2 Augmented Reality 4. GIS-7-100X- Elective - Volunteered Geographic Information 4 4. GIS-7-100X- Elective -4 Moving object databases 4 5. GIS-7-100X- Elective -5 Geographic visualization techniques. 4 INTERNSHIP/THESIS 6. GIS-7-100X- Elective -6 Regional Energy Modeling 4 7. GIS-7-100X- Elective -7 Human Terrain Analysis 4 8. GIS-7-100X- Professional Practice & Research Methodology 4 1. GIS-9-100X- 2. GIS-9-100X- Ninth Semester Tenth Semester GIS Programming for Advanced Spatial Advanced Physical Geodesy 4 Analysis and Modeling Map communication and design 4. GIS-9-100X- Inertial Surveying and INS/GPS Integration, GLONASS, GALILEO 4 4. GIS-9-100X- Advanced Estimation Methods and Analysis 4 5. GIS-9-100X- 6. GIS-9-100X- 7. GIS-9-100X- 8. GIS-9-100X- Spatial Knowledge discovery & Mining 4 Spatio-temporal databases 4 Advanced Remote Sensing 4 Advanced Survey laws 4 4 Design and implementation of GIS 4 Advanced methods in geocomputation 4 Elective 1: 4 Elective 2: Elective : Elective 4: Elective 5: 4 4 4 4 Eleven Semester INTERNSHIP/THESIS List of Electives NAVSTAR GPS: Theory and Applications 4 Page 4 of 8
Environmental Modeling 4 Optical imaging metrology 4 Advanced global geophysics and geodynamics 4 Environmental exposure estimations 4 Spatial Decision Support Systems 4 Geospatial data Management 4 D geomodeling 4 Map generalization 4 Spatial and Environmental Influences in Social Systems 4 Geospatial semantic information retrieval, analysis, reasoning and modeling Development, implementation and use of geospatial ontologies and semantics 4 4 Spatial information infrastructures 4 Atmospheric effects on satellite Navigation Systems 4 Spatial and temporal reasoning 4 Special Topics in GIS 4 Note: Theory + Practical, T Theory Page 5 of 8
Pre-requisite flow chart Mapping Program Learning Objectives with Course Learning Objectives Mapping Program Learning Objectives with Knowledge Areas (UCGIS KA s) GIS Competence Mapping with Course Learning Objectives I cr =Introduce credit R cr =Reinforce credit E cr =Emphasize credit P cr =Practical credit GIS Competences Technical Competences I P 2 i. Ability to assess the relationships Page 6 of 8
among geospatial technologies ii. Cartography iii. Computer programming skills iv. Environmental applications v. GIS theory and applications vi. Geological applications vii. Geospatial data processing tools viii. Photogrammetry ix. Remote sensing theory and applications x. Spatial information processing xi. Technical writing xii. Technological literacy xiii. Topology Business competences xiv. Ability to see the big picture xv. Business understanding xvi. Buy-in/advocacy xvii. Change management xviii. Cost-benefit analysis and ROI xix. Ethics modeling xx. Industry understanding xxi. Legal understanding xxii. Organizational understanding xxiii. Performance analysis and evaluation xxiv. Visioning Analytical competences xxv. Creative thinking xxvi. Knowledge management xxvii. Model-building skills xxviii. Problem-solving skills xxix. Research skill xxx. System thinking Page 7 of 8
Interpersonal competences i. Coaching ii. Communications iii. Conflict management iv. Feedback skills v. Group process understanding vi. Leadership skills vii. Questioning viii. Relationship building skills ix. Self-knowledge /selfmanagement Beyond Mapping: Meeting National needs through enhanced geographic information science. http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11687.html page, Table 2.2. Acknowledgements First and foremost, I offer my sincerest gratitude to Prof. Bisheng Yang, Geoinformatics, Wuhan University, China and Prof. Eliseo Clementine, University of Aquila, Italy for providing their valuable feedback to refine and improve the program. I am thankful to them as always for their constructive inputs to improvise the work above. Page 8 of 8