MSc Geographical Information Science

Geography

This course equips you with the knowledge and understanding of the important role Geographic Information (GI) plays in many areas of our lives: environmental protection, business and marketing, communications, forecasting, modelling, agriculture, and local and regional planning.

Understanding GI systems (the software tools) and GI science (the technical discipline) is essential for effective management and analysis of spatial data.

In the most recent Postgraduate Taught Excellence Survey (PTES), Geography came top out of all subjects at Leicester in comparison to the sector average in terms of the overall quality of the learning and teaching experience.*

*PTES survey, 2016.

Teaching and AssessmentTeaching includes lectures, seminars, self-paced learning, directed reading and practicals. Assessment is a mixture of coursework and exams. Your dissertation will be assessed separately.

In the last five months of the course, you will undertake a research project, examining in depth a topic of particular relevance to your interests and work. You will identify an appropriate GIS related topic to investigate; develop a proposal that details your research methods; carry out a literature review; and apply the theory and some of the technical methods learnt to analyse your data and evaluate the results.

Resources and CareersResources available to you at Leicester include a dedicated computer lab containing industry-leading GIS software as well as a terrestrial laser scanner and GIS enabled smartphones for collecting spatial data in the field. We also have a virtual reality theatre.

This is the oldest established MSc in Geographic Information Science at any English university with a track record in producing successful graduates, many of whom go on to work in the geospatial industry.

About the Course

MODULES

DISSERTATION

This course is available with an optional (usually paid) industry placement. If you take a ‘with Industry’ degree, your qualification will be ‘MSc in Geographical Information Science with Industry’.

SEMESTER 2

Core modules• GIS Research Methods in the Field• Spatial Information Science• Geographical Visualisation

SEMESTER 1

Core modules• Induction• Introduction to GIS• Earth Observation and Remote Sensing• Programming in R

Key FactsLength of course: 1 year full-time, 18-24 months full-time with industrial placement, or 2 years part-time

Mode of study: Campus-based

Intake dates: September

Entry requirements: 2:2 degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject and/or several years’ appropriate professional experience.

2:1 required for a ‘With Industry’ degree.

Please visit our website for full details of our entry requirements and application process.

Fees: Please visit our website for up to date fee information

www.le.ac.uk/courses/geographical-information-science-msc

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years. Please visit our website for full up to date module information.

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@uniofleicester · /uniofleicester

For more information

Department of Geography, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK

t: +44 (0) 116 252 2522 e: study@le.ac.ukw: www.le.ac.uk/geography

Front cover image: © Copyright Bluesky International Ltd

© University of Leicester

This brochure was published in November 2016. The University of Leicester endeavours to ensure that the content of its prospectus, programme specification, website content and all other materials are complete and accurate. On occasion it may be necessary to make some alterations to particular aspects of a course or module, and where these are minor, for example altering the lecture timetable or location, then we will ensure that you have as much notice as possible of the change to ensure that the disruption to your studies is minimised.

However, in exceptional circumstances it may be necessary for the University to cancel or change a programme or part of the specification more substantially. For example, due to the unavailability of key teaching staff, changes or developments in knowledge or teaching methods, the way in which assessment is carried out, or where a course or part of it is over-subscribed to the extent that the quality of teaching would be affected to the detriment of students. In these circumstances, we will contact you as soon as possible and in any event will give you [30 days] written notice before the relevant change is due to take place. Where this occurs, we will also and in consultation with you, offer you an alternative course or programme (as appropriate) or the opportunity to cancel your contract with the University and obtain a refund of any advance payments that you have made.