The Master of Geospatial Information Science is a 72-unit program offered by the College of Science and Engineering.
It articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Geographical Information Systems and the 36-unit Graduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems.
Admission requirements
Applicants will normally hold either the Graduate Certificate in Geographical Information Systems, the Graduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems or an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution.
The Dean (Education) may admit others who can demonstrate fitness for candidature.
The Master of Geospatial Information Science is not available to graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Geographical Information Systems or of equivalent undergraduate courses from other tertiary institutions.
Course aims
The MGISc provides students with advanced knowledge of the theory and application of geographical information systems (GIS) and remote sensing and is intended for students with an undergraduate degree that is not related to studies in GIS.
The program provides a theoretical and practical framework for graduates from a range of backgrounds, as well as those from the public sector and non-government organisations wishing to extend their choice of career path by acquiring knowledge and skills in the capture, analysis and communication of spatially-referenced information.
Masters students will develop and implement geospatial information science (GISc) skills and knowledge applicable to a range of areas, such as environmental management, urban and transport planning, environmental health, land-use dynamics, natural resources management, ecosystem services, biological sciences and archaeology, through a focused and in-depth research project accompanied by a written thesis.
Students completing the MGISc will be able to carry out research and analysis using spatially-referenced data and prepare research reports applicable to various fields of GISc application.
Learning outcomes
Students completing the Master of Geospatial Information Science will be expected to be able to:
- practice higher order skills in geospatial information science analysis applicable to a range of areas;
- demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of geospatial information science theory and methodologies;
- demonstrate an in-depth understanding of vector and raster GIS structures, relational and geo-databases, data input and data editing;
- demonstrate specialist skills in various remotely-sensed image types, their calibration, interpretation and information extraction practices through a range of transformations and classification methodologies;
- review, interpret and critically analyse literature;
- undertake self-directed research using spatially-referenced data and prepare research reports applicable to various fields of GISc application.
Credit transfer arrangements
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Geographical Information Systems will receive 18 units of credit in the Master of Geospatial Information Science. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Geographical Information Systems will receive 36 units of credit in the Master of Geospatial Information Science.
Program of study
To qualify for the MGISc students must complete 72 units of topics with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
Core - Year 1 or 2 topics
4.5 units comprising:
STEM8001 Research Methods and Professional Skills (4.5 units)
Option - Year 1 & 2 topics
Select up to 40.5 units from (with the approval of the Course Coordinator):*
COMP8772 Web-based Systems Development GE (4.5 units)
COMS9001 Communicating Research (4.5 units)
EASC8702 Global Climate Change GE (4.5 units)
ENVS7701 Coastal Management GE (4.5 units)
ENVS7711 Environmental Management (4.5 units)
ENVS8702 GIS Field Methods for all Disciplines (4.5 units)
ENVS8711 Australian Environmental Change GE (4.5 units)
ENVS8732 Environmental Impact Assessment GE (4.5 units)
ENVS9701 Sustainable Environmental Management (4.5 units)
GEOG8761 Caring as Country: Indigenous Environmental Management GE (4.5 units)
STAT8701 Statistical Science GE (4.5 units)
STEM8100 Research Project in Science GE (4.5 units)
STEM8002 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems GE (4.5 units)
STEM8003 Remote Sensing for all Disciplines GE (4.5 units)
STEM8004 Modelling in Space and Time, Geostatistics and GIS GE (4.5 units)
STEM8005 Applied Problem Solving with Computers GE (4.5 units)
STEM8006 Airborne Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry GE (4.5 units)
STEM8007 Advanced Geographical Information Systems GE (4.5 units)
*or with the approval of the Course Coordinator, any other topics up to 18 units from across the University at the requisite level that meet the educational aims and learning outcomes of the course.
Core – Year 2 topics#
27 units comprising:
ENVS9890A Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
ENVS9890B Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
ENVS9890C Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
ENVS9890D Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
ENVS9890E Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
ENVS9890F Major Research Project (4.5/27 units)
Or
ENVS9880A Minor Research Project (4.5/13.5 units)
ENVS9880B Minor Research Project (4.5/13.5 units)
ENVS9880C Minor Research Project (4.5/13.5 units)
Plus 13.5 units of option topics from Option - Year 1 and 2 topics or, with the approval of the Course Coordinator, any other topics from across the University at the requisite level that meet the educational aims and learning outcomes of the course.
#Note that students who wish to use their masters qualification to satisfy entry into a Flinders University research higher degree program are required to have completed at least an 18 unit thesis.
