Geographical Information Systems

Programme Structure & Content

First Year
First year students focus on the foundations of Information Systems, including: how to design and implement programs (using Java and a web scripting language); a few relevant mathematical concepts, and how to design websites. They also study contemporary geographical issues of global scale and significance.

Second Year
In the second year, students are introduced to core topics in Modern Information Systems, with courses in E-Society, Data Management, Human Computer Interaction, and Advanced Web Application Development. They also study core geography topics, with courses in Environmental Systems, Mapping and Monitoring in the Environment, Space, Economy and Society, and Skills and Techniques in Geosciences.

Third Year
In third year, taught courses cover essential information systems and geography topics, including Adaptive Interactive Systems, Enterprise Computing and Security, Geographical Information Systems, Approaches to Geography, and Research Design and Methods.

Fourth Year (Honours)
The fourth year involves a substantial project, in which students work individually on a geographical information system of interest to them; most projects are industry or research-related. Students also do a substantial Geography Dissertation. Taught courses include Data Mining and Visualisation, and Geographical Issues.

Teaching & Assessment

All courses are supported by Web-based material, usually including full course notes. Lectures in the first two years commonly include live computer demonstrations. Assessment is by a mixture of course work and examination.