Geospatial and Mapping Sciences (Taught)

This MSc in Geospatial & Mapping Sciences focuses on understanding the theory and practice of geospatial data collection and management. Topics covered include land, engineering and hydrographic surveying, data and geospatial information quality. The course draws on research and the latest developments in the field of geomatics, with a strong practical component. Key applications of geospatial skills support sustainable development, including measuring land and location of assets (e.g. transport routes, location of electric cables, forests), monitoring subsidence and sea level change, documenting heritage using laser scanning, and setting up and managing the coordinate system/mapping for a country. This programme is strongly endorsed by industry, accredited by both the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• Surveying and mapping are essential to a country’s development across industrial, agricultural, commercial and residential sectors, and geospatial information is now recognised as a crucial component of a country’s development.

• If you are seeking a career in geomatics: land and engineering surveying, hydrographic surveying, land registration/cadastre and LIS, photogrammetric and remote sensing engineering or management of geospatial information, then this programme is for you.

• This programme is accredited by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES), when fully completed with the award of an MSc.

• The MSc in Geospatial and Mapping Sciences is an industry-sponsored programme and has been developed in close collaboration with industry to meet global demand for professionals in this field.

• You will benefit from access to the latest surveying equipment and software, including RTK GPS and terrestrial laser scanners.

• You will attend a week long practical surveying course (included in fees).

• Our School is ranked in the top 15 in the UK (Complete University Guide 2022).

• The School of Geographical & Earth Sciences has an Athena Swan Silver Award, demonstrating the school’s commitment to supporting women in scientific studies and careers, and to improving the working environment for all.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Semester 1 – 60 credits
GEOSPATIAL FUNDAMENTALS (20 credits)
LAND SURVEYING I (10 credits)
PRINCIPLES OF GIS (10 credits)
TOPOGRAPHIC MODELLING AND LANDSCAPE MONITORING (10 credits)
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR GES PGT (10 credits)

Semester 2 – 60 credits
GEOSPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURES AND LAND ADMINISTRATION (10 credits)
Either:

APPLIED GIS (10 credits), or
APPLIED LAND SURVEYING (10 credits)

Plus the following courses:

ENGINEERING SURVEY (10 credits)
APPLIED GEODESY AND GNSS (10 credits)
HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY (10 credits)
LAND SURVEYING II (10 credits)

Summer – 60 credits
GEOMATICS MSC PROJECT (60 credits)

The programme structure is intended to be suitable for both full-time study and flexible part-time study options.