MSc Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Master

In Aberystwyth

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    Master

  • Location

    Aberystwyth (Wales)

  • Duration

    1 Year

Facilities

Location

Start date

Aberystwyth (Ceredigion)
See map
Aberystwyth University, Llandinam Building, Penglais Campus, SY23 3DB

Start date

On request

About this course

A 2.1 degree or equivalent is required for entry. Applicants in fields other than Geography and Environmental Science (e.g., Computer Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Maths) are also welcomed.

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Course programme

The Masters Course, which has been running since 2004, combines the fields of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing to provide students with a strong theoretical and conceptual background and vocational training in these inter-related topics. The course particularly focuses on conveying new approaches to data processing, analysis and interpretation as well as encouraging the updake of innovative technologies (e.g., unmanned airborne vehicles).

Within GIS, students are exposed to fundamental concepts and software functionality. The course also focuses on the use and applications of field equipment including Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Total Stations, Ground Penetrating Radar and Terrestrial Laser Scanners. Application areas include hydrological and terrain analysis, network analysis and vegetation productivity modeling. The Remote Sensing components introduces students to a range of technologies including radar, optical/hyperspectral sensing and lidar and application areas ranging from climate change, human impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, glaciology, hydrology, forestry, coastal change, carbon cycle science to biodiversity.

Through the course, students are exposed to a range of GIS and remote sensing software and programming languages including IDL ENVI, ARCGIS, ArcInfo, Erdas Imagine, Cyclone (LiDAR processing), Gamma (radar processing) and python. IGES is also a Definiens Centre of Excellence for the use of their image object-orientated classification software and dedicated training is provided. The integration of data from different sensors observing at a range of temporal, spatial and spectral scales and within the framework of GIS is a major focus of the teaching.
Students are also encouraged to read up-to-date articles on key aspects of GIS and remote sensing and to also participate in local meetings and conferences (e.g., the Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society Annual Conference).

The course has many novel aspects including a Work Experience Module which provides the opportunity to work within a small business, government organisation or other institution for a five week period. The course also links closely with Environment Systems, a locally-based environmental consultancy specialising in GIS and remote sensing.
Students are required, in their final semester to undertake an independent research project which leads to the production of a dissertation. Research conducted overseas is strongly encouraged and past students have taken up thiis opportunity to work in Sierra Leone, Ecuador and the United States.
The majority of teaching is also conducted within the framework of national and international projects and the course material is continually updated to reflect new advances in these areas.

Masters students have access to a dedicated computer laboratory (located within the Llandinam Tower) for research in GIS and remote sensing which is fully equipped with the latest software. Field trips focusing on remote sensing and GIS are also undertaken within the Cambrian Mountains and provide students with hands-on experience in the use of field equipment and the collection of ground truth data to support the interpretation and analysis of remote sensing and GIS datasets.

Reasons to study GIS and Remote Sensing at Aberystwyth

  • Dedicated staff with international experience
  • Definiens Centre of Excellent
  • Wide range of GIS and remote sensing software and field equipment
  • Access to dedicated research laboratory
  • Highly popular work experience module
  • Excellent employment prospects in government, business or university
  • IGES Student Prizes (e.g., Best Dissertation)
  • Popular coastal location with access to a wide range of semi-natural environment

Semester 1

Within Semester 1, students take three modules (Fundamentals of Remote Sensing and GIS, Advanced Research Skills and Spatial Data Acquisition). These modules are designed to provide the foundation knowledge and skills which are considered essential in GIS and remote sensing and include statistical analysis, programming, communications (oral and written), accessing data from a variety of sources, basic image processing and the functionality of GIS.

The first three modules in semester 1 are compulsory and cover 60 credits (i.e., half of the taught element of the course). The learning outcomes are promoted through a range of teaching methods that include computer-based laboratories, lectures and fieldwork.

Semester 2

Students will take two advanced modules in remote sensing and GIS and a further Work Experience module. All modules allow students to gain an intimate knowledge of remote sensing and GIS data and processing techniques for specific applications.

Methods of teaching are primarily laboratory-based and focus on the development of computing skills. The lectures provide support to the students and give examples of applications using the available technologies. The fieldwork component of modules allows students to understand how remote sensing and supportive GIS datasets are acquired and integrated.

Semester 3

An independent research project supervised by two staff associated with the Masters course. Projects are designed during Semester 1 to give students ample time for field data collection and analysis.

Potential dissertation topics

Masters students are encouraged to develop the own dissertation topic in consultation with the research supervisor. Projects can focus on the UK environment but also overseas. The research is undertaken within a dedicated GIS and remote sensing laboratory where you will have access to state-of-the-art software including Definiens Developer, Erdas Imagine, IDL ENVI, ArcInfo, ArcGIS and Gamma radar processing as well as standard statistics and programming packages.

Past projects typically combine GIS and remote sensing components and have included:

  • Hydrological modelling
  • Remote sensing of tropical forest dynamics in Sierra Leone, Ecuador and Venezuela
  • Quantifying glacial change in two and three dimensions as a function of climatic variation, Himalayas and Nepal
  • Characterising Martian surfaces
  • Three-dimensional analysis of urban areas using airborne and terrestrial laser scanning
  • Detecting change in mangrove extent and condition, northern Australia
  • Tree density estimation in commercial UK forests
  • Classification of vegetation mosaics in Wales using hyperspectral airborne data

Additional information

Career opportunities: Masters graduating from IGES have rapidly found employment within international organisations, government institutions and businesses within the UK but also overseas. Others have continued onto Ph.D. studies at Aberystwyth or other universities. Employment prospects are also enhanced through the Work Experience module which introduces students to potential employers across a range of sectors.
Contact person: Prof. Richard Lucas & Dr. Aled Rowlands

MSc Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing

Price on request