About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: F891
- Applications: Online
- Level: Postgraduate
- Department: Geography and Environmental Management
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: MSc: one-year full time programme (two days of lectures a week) or two years and four months part-time (one attendance day per week).
PGDip: one year of full-time study or two years on a part-time basis.
PCCert: one year part-time.
- Delivery: Full-time students attend two days of lectures each week. Part-time students attend one day of lectures each week.
- Programme leader: Michael Horswell
Introduction
Almost all human activity and natural phenomena are spatially distributed, so they can be studied using a GIS.
Geographic Information systems (GIS) are increasingly pervasive, and there is a wide range of disciplines and professions that are becoming, or have become 'spatially aware'. As the number of disciplines across all sectors that are spatially aware increases so too does the expectation of employers that their staff will be able to use geographic information effectively and sensibly. This multidisciplinary, or transdisciplinary, nature of GIS means that people of many backgrounds, disciplines and educational levels are interested in developing GIS skills.
The Department has developed a course that is responsive to the variety of potential applications of GIS, and which allows you to customise your studies to suit you. A key characteristic of most modules on the programme is that you define the theme of your assessment tasks. The faculty has staff that can support you, with expertise across a range of disciplines; across the university, an even wider range of subject areas can be explored. The opportunity to pursue your interests, in a supported and supportive environment, will ensure the relevance of your studies to your own professional interests and personal aspirations.
Competent GIS professionals combine knowledge, technical and intellectual skills with an ability to communicate effectively. Studying for an MSc in Applied GIS at UWE will allow you to develop and integrate all these skills.
The broad objectives of the programme are;
- Technical Skills - initially generic, increasingly complex, integrated and student defined
- Knowledge and Understanding - integrating technical, professional and intellectual skills in the development and deployment of GIS
- Intellectual Skills - instilling rigour and reflection, and promoting innovative thinking
- Transferable Skills - soft skills wanted by employers developed through a diversity of assessment and teaching methods.
Structure
Content
The programme consists of eight modules and a dissertation, which can be completed in one year by full-time students. Part-time students can expect to take three years to complete their studies.
Modules are regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain up to date and relevant, so some of them may change before the course starts or whilst you are on it, but the overall aims and broad content of the course will remain the same. You will undertake seven core modules and one option module
Introduction to Applied Geographic Information Systems
The purpose of this module is to introduce you to fundamental concepts related to GIS and its application, and develop the fundamental practical skills that are developed and extended in the rest of the programme. This module includes topics such as; The history of GIS, GIS and society, Introduction to spatial data formats and an introduction to ArcGIS.
Representing the World
This module focuses on the evolution and current state of knowledge and technology regarding the representation of geographical phenomena. Topics include; Earth geometry, Representing phenomena in spatial data sets, Data structures and Data quality.
Spatial Analytical Methods
The focus of this module is on developing an understanding of the underlying principles and applications of different methods of GIS analysis. This module covers the following topics; Basic vector analytical methods, Raster analysis, Analyzing remotely sensed data, Topographic analysis, Spatial Statistics, Network Analysis and Error in spatial analysis.
Cartography and Visualisation
The focus of this module is on the effective communication of geospatial information.
This module covers the following topics; History of cartography, Emergent technologies, Cartographic transformations, Cartosemiotics, Map design, Temporal data display and 3D mapping and visualization.
Foundations of GI Application
The focus of this module is to develop a critical understanding of the philosophical foundations of GI Science. The module is organized around five themes; Ontology, Epistemology, The quantitative revolution in geography, Critical GIS and GIS in an organization.
Research for Policy and Practice
The module facilitates a critical analysis of the process of planning and designing research: research briefs, proposals, strategies, methods of data generation and analysis; literature reviews, and other related topics.
The syllabus includes:
- A review of the main philosophical perspectives associated with the production of knowledge and the validation of knowledge claims
- An investigation of the questions and debates related to the nature and function of research
- The identification and critical evaluation of the main types of research strategy used in built and natural environment research, in general, and in particular disciplines within this area
- Consideration, and application, of criteria used when assessing the claims and conclusions found in the work of others
- The identification and critical evaluation of ethical and legal issues involved in research; ethics and values in the research process
Data Management
The module provides an overview of contemporary frameworks and practices in data management, with a central focus on developing skills in data modeling, small-scale database design and implementation, and SQL. The syllabus includes topics an overview of data management, database design methods and methodology, entity modeling, Structured Query Language and data management in the organizational context.
Option module
You can choose any module from the extensive set of Masters level modules from across the faculty. Possible choices will depend on prior learning and knowledge, professional experience or any additional entry requirements. Options will be negotiated between you, the programme leader and the module leaders.
Dissertation Module
The Dissertation module is the culmination of the programme of study, involving such features as high level critical analysis, self-directed inquiry and working near the boundaries of existing knowledge, in a subject selected by you.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered on a day release basis. This means that attendance at teaching sessions is required. Full-time students will have to attend two days of lectures a week (part-time students attend once a week). Attendance days are timetabled for Wednesdays and Thursdays, this may change from year to year. Teaching sessions will include traditional lectures, student-led seminars and discussions as well as practical GIS sessions.
Assessment
Assessment occurs through a balance of coursework and examinations. Examinations are held in either January or May/June. Coursework will be a variety of essays, reports, presentations or projects. In most of the modules, you will be able to define the theme for the assessment. Examinations will include both seen and unseen examinations.
You will also be encouraged to do formative work to prepare for assessments and seminars: this does not count towards final marks but the feedback received will help improve your performance. Support is available for students who have difficulties with numeracy, IT, literacy and study skills.
Special Features
Study facilities
The Department has invested in online and offline computer-based resources to support your learning. You will have access to a number of computer rooms, all with an extensive suite of GIS software available. The teaching platform is ArcGIS (although open source GIS applications will also be available in the computer rooms). Large format printers and scanners are available, and teams of competent and friendly technical support staff can provide specific help if you need it.
You also have access to a vast number of books, online journals and databases through the UWE Bristol library. The library and some computer labs on campus are open 24 hours.
Careers/further study
An investigation by ARC Advisory Group suggests that, globally, the GIS market is likely to grow by 50% over the next five years. Their research also suggests that the GIS industry is particularly resilient in the face of the recession, due the non-cyclical nature of the businesses where the growth in GIS is occurring (electric power, oil and gas distribution, and divisions of government).
In addition to technical expertise, employers are always looking for the characteristics that set one applicant apart from the others; these are often called soft skills. Embarking on a course of GIS study at UWE will provide you with many opportunities to develop and rehearse such skills - you will develop team working skills, presentations skills, advanced numeracy and literacy skills as well as a solid set of technical GIS application skills. For the duration of your learning, you can be sure of receiving world-class tuition in a supportive and stimulating environment.
Entry
Entry requirements
This course is suitable for graduates of degrees in both related and unrelated subjects. We normally require a good first degree (2:2 or above).
We will also consider applicants without the usual entry requirements but who do have relevant professional experience of GIS or an allied discipline. You will have to write a motivation to support your application, and submit a portfolio or sample of your professional output that you think is relevant. You may be required to attend an interview as well.
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
How to apply
Please see the general information about applications.
We welcome applications from students without the conventional entrance requirements but who do have substantial relevant work or other experience and whose motivation and skills would enable them to succeed on the course.
We also welcome applications from people with disabilities, and we are happy to arrange visits for disabled applicants to find out whether the course is suitable, and discuss what support is appropriate.
International applicants (non UK and EU) should aim to apply by the end of June to allow time to arrange their accommodation, finance and visa.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011