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Geographic Information Science
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Curriculum

Module GISc 01

  • Fundamentals of Geographical Information Science: Introduces the fundamental principles, concepts, and techniques of GIS through theoretical and practical exercises. Students gain experience with two commercial GIS software packages (ArcGIS 9.3 and IDRISI Taiga).
  • Data Capture and Database Management: Focuses on the methods of data capture and data integration using a GIS.  This includes remote sensing, geospatial and socio-economic data; GPS and mobile GIS data acquisition; and database design and maintenance.

Module GISc 02

  • Spatial Statistics: Introduces spatial statistical analysis methods and techniques for the analysis of spatial data.
  • Programming for GIS: Develops fundamental programming skills, focusing on customizing GIS.

Module GISc 03

  • Advanced GIS Analysis and Modelling: Focuses on advanced GIS analysis issues as well as spatial modelling techniques.  Includes topics on visualization, interpolation, quality and error in GIS, as well as the latest advances in GIS such as web-based and distributed GIS. Introduces spatial modelling through the investigation of strategies and methodologies for model development and application, such as transport modeling, flood and environmental modeling, spatial interaction and geocomputation techniques.

Module GISc 04

  • Advanced GIS Analysis and Applications: Consists of a portfolio of different real-world applications using GIS, including risk assessment, retailing, health, environmental hazards,  3D GIS, and archaeology. It also includes topics on social issues in GIS such as public participation, data privacy, project management and the latest advances in participatory GIS.

Module GISc 05 (summer)

  • MSc Dissertation in GISc: Students agree a dissertation project with the programme director. The project will be carried out under supervision and will usually be of an applied nature in GIS or spatial modelling so that you may gain experience in data acquisition, problem formulation, GIS practice and report writing. The dissertation length is between 8,000 and 10,000 words.

Notes:  The curriculum is compulsory.  Modules GISc 01 and 03 are taught in term 1, modules GISc 02 and 04 are taught in term 2.  The curriculum is provisional and may be subject to change.
Main office: Department of Geography, Environment and Development Studies, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX; tel: 020 7631 6531; fax: +44 (0) 20 7631 6498; email: geds@bbk.ac.uk