School of Environmental Sciences

PgDip/MSc in GIS

Summary

The School of Environmental Sciences offers a postgraduate course in Geographic Information Systems which may be undertaken on the Coleraine campus in either full-time or part-time mode, and which is also available by online distance learning (both full-time and part-time).

This course is designed to provide an advanced education in the principles and practice of GIS, leading to the award of Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or Master of Science (MSc). All students follow a programme of taught modules including material on data models and data structures, acquisition and management of data, spatial analysis and modelling, remote sensing, GIS design and implementation issues, GIS programming and customization and GIS databases. Concepts and techniques are illustrated using case study material drawn from a variety of application areas, although students can choose one optional module in which they focus on applications of GIS to either environmental management or health and health care issues, or further GIS programming. Practical work is undertaken using a variety of software including ArcGIS and ERDAS Imagine. Students also gain experience using a range of other software, normally including Excel, Powerpoint, Access, SPSS, CadCorp and a number of GIS extensions and plug-ins.

Course Description

Within both the public and the private sectors, the benefits and efficiencies of adopting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now widely recognised, and the availability and applications of Geographic Information and GI technologies are steadily increasing. Using GIS, it is possible to spatially relate and integrate information existing in a variety of formats, derived from diverse sources such as paper and digital maps, routinely collected data, censuses and surveys, satellite imagery and aerial photography. This course is designed to give students (whether newly qualified or already in employment in related fields) understanding and experience of GIS concepts, functionality and applications, data models and data management, GIS customization, spatial data analysis and project management, as well as providing extensive hands-on experience of commercial GIS software.

The uses of GIS are very diverse, and include data management, spatial analysis and decision making within a wide range of disciplines and sectors, such as environmental management and conservation, resource management, emergency service planning, health care provision, land use planning and urban development, the utilities, transport planning, geo-demographics and retail. Increasing uptake of GIS and associated techniques and technologies means that there is a growing demand for qualified personnel who have the skills to manage spatial data effectively.

The Postgraduate Diploma course comprises seven compulsory modules, namely Principles of GIS (EGM711); Spatial Data Management (EGM712); Image Analysis (EGM713); Decision Making in GIS (EGM714); Programming for GIS (EGM715); Spatial Analytical Techniques (EGM716) and GIS Databases (EGM717). The first of these modules is designed to give students a detailed understanding of the concepts behind Geographic Information Systems, through both lecture material and practical sessions. The second module listed is concerned with primary and secondary data sources and with the manipulation and management of data, while EGM715 gives students the opportunity to develop skills in GIS programming and customisation of the user-interface and EGM714 examines wider issues in GIS including applications in the GI industry. Second semester modules include EGM713, which focuses on analysis of remotely-sensed images and the integration of remote sensing with GIS, EGM717, which provides understanding and practical experience of GIS databases, and EGM716, covering advanced spatial analytical techniques, including spatial modelling and exploratory spatial data analysis. To complete the PgDip students select an optional module, either EGM720 (GIS for Health Care), EGM721 (GIS for Environmental Management), or EGM722 (Programming for GIS II). More information on each module is available below. Please note that the course structure and content is reviewed and updated on an annual basis and the content described here may therefore be subject to minor modifications.

Modules consist of a combination of lectures and related practical work, ensuring that the theory and concepts introduced are reinforced by hands-on experience, using real-world examples where appropriate. Students gain considerable experience of commercial GIS and remote sensing software, and skills such as problem-solving and the production of essays, literature reviews and practical write-ups and project reports are extensively practiced.

The Masters degree in Geographic Information Systems consists of the eight taught modules of the Postgraduate Diploma in addition to a substantial piece of independent research, which is presented and assessed in the form of a dissertation.

Graduate Employment

Increased uptake and implementation of GIS and associated technologies means that GIS graduates have very good employment prospects – in recent years, most graduates of this course have found relevant employment within a few months of completion. Graduate destinations have included government bodies such as the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Planning Service, Roads Service and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Department of the Marine, utilities such as Northern Ireland Water, mapping agencies (e.g. Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland and Ordnance Survey Ireland), Borough and County Councils, and a wide range of GI-related companies and consultancies in Ireland, the UK and further afield (including ESRI Ireland, Cadcorp, CDC, Terraquest, Navteq, Marenco, Jacobs, Landaspects, Centroid Solutions and BKS Surveys). Others have gone on to doctoral research, lectureships or research posts in the University sector.

Fees

Postgraduate fees are charged according to the number of credit points taken. The PgDip is worth 120 credit points, while the MSc is a total of 180 credit points (120 for the PgDip plus 60 for the MSc element). The cost per credit point and information on paying by installments can be found at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/finance/fees.

There are no grants currently available for the course, although information on seeking financial support from other sources is available at http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/geni.... Some banks may also have Postgraduate Loan schemes offering deferred payments while you are studying.

Self-funded full-time students who need to take part-time employment are facilitated by the timetabling of formal classes, which are as far as possible concentrated into two full days per week (normally Tuesday and Thursday).

Course Structure, Duration and Awards: Campus-Based Course

To qualify for the award of Postgraduate Diploma, students must complete eight modules, which are taught in semesters one and two (late September to mid December and late January to early May approximately). At this point, students who have passed each module (pass mark 50%) may be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma. Students who pass at least four modules but who do not achieve the credit required for the PgDip are eligible for the award of Postgraduate Certificate. Those who have passed all 8 PgDip modules may choose to proceed to the MSc, which requires the student to undertake a substantial piece of independent research. Options for awards and progression are summarised in the table below.

Part-time students follow the same programme of modules, although these are taken in a different order; there is some potential for flexibility in the order in which modules are taken on the part-time course.

In full-time mode, the PgDip component of the course is completed in eight months, with a further three to four months to undertake the MSc project. The part-time course normally takes two years for the PgDip modules and a further academic year to complete the MSc.

Course Structure, Duration and Awards: Distance Learning Course

The distance learning course is structured to allow students to commence the course at the beginning of either semester one or semester two (start dates generally late September and late January respectively). Normally, the distance learning PgDip is of the same duration as the part-time course, although there is some flexibility with regards to the rate at which modules may be taken. Options relating to awards and progression are the same as those for the campus-based course (see above). Further information on taking the course by distance learning can be found at http://www.ulster.ac.uk/elearning/p....

Module Summaries

(i) Postgraduate Diploma Modules

EGM711: Principles of GIS

This module introduces the theory and practice of Geographic Information Systems, and is intended to provide an understanding of the breadth of potential GIS applications and to equip students with the key concepts and skills required relating to the input, management, manipulation, analysis and output of spatial data. Lecture-based teaching of key concepts is reinforced by linked practical exercises which allow students to develop competence in ESRI’s ArcGIS package. The module assumes no prior knowledge or experience of GIS.

EGM712: Spatial Data Management

This module builds on the knowledge and practical skills gained in EGM711 to provide GIS students with further experience in the acquisition and management of spatial data. Methods for generating and collecting digital spatial data from primary and secondary sources are considered, with lecture and practical sessions looking at digitising, geo-registration, GPS data collection and accessing and using secondary sources (particularly Population Census data). The module also incorporates practice in data handling and statistical analysis. Development of GIS software skills focuses primarily on ArcGIS.

EGM713: Image Analysis

This module aims to give students a thorough understanding of digital remote sensing and analysis techniques. The module explores the theoretical principles of the discipline and is supported by the industry standard remote sensing software package ERDAS Imagine. Practical knowledge of remote sensing and image analysis is developed through a series of practical exercises and an individual project.

EGM714: Decision Making in GIS

This module aims to give students an understanding of wider issues in GIS including aspects relevant to the GI industry, the commercial world and management of GIS projects. The module covers topics such as data and error handling, project design, planning and legal and ethical issues in GIS, with a strong emphasis on team work.

EGM715: Programming for GIS

This module introduces students to the theory and practice of programming for GIS, with particular emphasis on web programming and Visual Basic. Programming principles and theory are covered in lecture material while practical experience is developed via practical sessions using proprietary software. Programming skills are constantly developed and assessed through a series of practical exercises and a project. A variety of systems and packages are utilised to give students practical hands-on experience of stand-alone and Web-based GIS customisation.

EGM716: Spatial Analysis and Modelling

This module, which builds on the overview of GIS analysis gained in modules EGM711 and EGM712, is intended to introduce students to concepts of explicitly spatial statistical analysis and associated concepts such as autocorrelation and the impact of scale and aggregation on area-based analysis. It also aims to give students the opportunity to expand their experience and abilities in problem-solving in the context of environmental modelling. Further practical experience is developed of ArcGIS, ArcGIS extensions and other relevant software.

EGM717: GIS Databases

This module is designed to introduce students to the concept of developing a reliable spatial database for use in any organisation. It provides an insight into both small scale and large scale relational spatial database management systems. Initially, Microsoft Access is used to aid in the design and development of Entity Relational (ER) models which are typically employed in small organisations. MySQL is also used to introduce students Structured Query Language and Spatial Query Languages.

EGM720: GIS for Health Care

There are many aspects of the study of health and disease, and of the provision of health care, which benefit from an explicitly spatial approach, using the tools and techniques provided by Geographic Information Systems. This optional module aims to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of the benefits of GIS in this context, and to give the opportunity to develop relevant technical and analytical skills. Examples and case studies used include topics such as epidemiological analysis and identification of catchments. The module is designed to encourage independent learning, while the research focus helps prepare students for undertaking the Masters project.

EGM721: GIS for Environmental Management

GIS has been established as a powerful environmental planning tool given the inherent geographical nature of environmental systems and the impacts on them. This optional module builds on the breadth of knowledge developed earlier in the course in relation to spatial analysis, providing theoretical background and practical skills relevant to environmental modelling and management, with an emphasis on independent learning. The research focus of this module helps prepare students for undertaking the Masters project.

EGM722: Programming for GIS II

This optional module develops programming skills introduced in EGM715 using ESRI ArcObjects and Visual Basic. The module seeks to provide students with key skills in the development of more advanced GIS applications. The module will allow students the opportunity to build and develop their own applications using the Visual Basic for Applications environment of ArcGIS software, ESRI ModelBuilder and Visual Basic. Programming skills are developed and assessed through practical exercises and an independent project that requires students to build a chosen application.

(ii) Masters Project Module

On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma, students may proceed to the Masters course. The award of Masters requires students to pass module EGM701, the Geographic Information Systems Project. This module is intended to give students scope to investigate topics of particular interest, allowing them to develop and demonstrate the ability to undertake independent research. The pass mark in the Masters project is 50%. Students who achieve an average of at least 70% in the combined marks for the PgDip modules and EGM701 (with a mark of 70% or over in EGM701), qualify for the award of Masters with Distinction.

EGM701: Geographic Information Systems Project

The project must be presented as a written dissertation of 15,000-20,000 words. The following examples of MSc projects illustrate the breadth of potential research areas:

A prototype Geographic Information System for the Northern Ireland Veterinary Service
An interactive mortality atlas for Northern Ireland
Using remote sensing techniques to estimate population growth within selected Northern Irish towns
The application of GIS for salmon habitat management in the River Roe catchment
Optimum site selection of wind farms in County Donegal: a GIS approach
Socio-economic inequalities in cerebral palsy in Northern Ireland
Teenage pregnancy in Northern Ireland: an investigation into the spatial incidence of teenage pregnancy and accessibility to contraceptive services for teenagers
A prototype foot-and-mouth plume dispersion model for use within the veterinary service
Measuring the urban morphology of Northern Irish towns and cities using fractal geometry
Peatland change detection on the Sperrin Mountains, N.I., using satellite imagery and GIS techniques
An investigation into using Geographic Information Systems for biodiversity mapping in the centre for environmental data and recoding
Pilot Intranet Mapping solution for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
Exploring the potential of DMSP-OLS night-time imagery to estimate the population and GDP of Africa and Europe
The application of GIS to studying coastal change at Rossnowlagh, Co. Donegal
Proposed method for water quality assessment of Belfast Lough, Larne Lough and Strangford Lough using Landsat TM imagery
Automated delivery of GIS data for fieldwork
Using remote sensing to interpret drumlin patterns in NW Ireland
Prehistoric settlement modelling on the north coast of Ireland: reconstruction of past physical environments
An Intranet mapping solution for California’s south central coastal information centre’s archaeological data (pilot application)
Urban neighbourhood patterns: dasymetric links between IKONOS imagery and new point based GIS data
The implementation and utilisation of Geographic Information Systems in public sector organisations in Northern Ireland

Entry Qualifications

Applicants are generally expected to have a minimum 2(ii) Honours degree with a substantial component of Geography, Environmental Science or Computing. Candidates with qualifications in other relevant disciplines or with academic qualifications below 2(ii) Honours will also be considered on individual merit; in such cases, previous experience of GIS and competence in Windows-based packages will be an advantage, and should be explained in detail on the application form.

Applying for the Course

Prospective students must apply online; please ensure that you include full details of qualifications, work experience and any other relevant information on your application form.

Further Information

If you have any additional queries relating to the course, please e-mail the Course Director Dr Sally Cook (tel. + 44 (0)2870 324401).