Course Title: Master of Science in Geographic Information Science
Geographic information Systems are widely-used indispensable tools for governance, commerce, and environmental and social science in Ireland and world-wide. Over the next few years it is forecast that the area of GIS will grow rapidly. This will lead to the need for highly qualified professionals in all areas of the geospatial industry. The MSc in Geographic Information Science presents an opportunity to develop and build on your previous learning and to deepen your understanding and knowledge of essential principles, practices and applications of geospatial technologies.
Competency in information technology skills has consistently been identified as a critical need in the geospatial industry and in the wider workplace in Ireland. This course has been designed specifically to address these issues and will provide graduates with a thorough grounding in information technology including spatial databases and web technology as well as programming skills tailored to the particular requirements of geospatial data.
This is a conversion course to enable graduates of a related discipline or current practitioners in the geospatial or related industry to acquire a qualification in Geographic Information Science at Masters Level. The programme is delivered within Spatial Information Sciences in the School of Surveying and Construction Management in TU Dublin Bolton Street. A maximum intake of 20 students is planned from different disciplines and backgrounds.
Conversion Course
To be admitted to the programme, students should have a minimum of a 2.2 in an honours bachelor degree (level 8 NQAI) or equivalent. Applications from candidates who have an equivalent qualification at honours level (for example, a professional qualification) will also be considered. Prior work or industrial experience is not a pre-requisite for entry on to the course.
If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.
Applications may be considered from candidates who do not have the minimum academic requirements set out above but who do have significant relevant industry experience. In this situation candidates will be interviewed.
It is an exciting and challenging time for the geospatial industry and also a time of opportunity. Government has recognised the value and benefit in promoting Ireland as a smart economy and developing the expertise and technology to manage and exploit new sources of information and technologies. Development of such technologies requires highly skilled graduates with both strong computing and spatial analysis skills.
Employment opportunities and emerging workforce development opportunities are growing in the GIScience area and the number of GIS-related job opportunities has risen steadily over the last few years. Career opportunities exist in a wide and diverse range of organisations including government, semi-state, private and commercial sectors.
Accreditation will be sought from the following professional bodies:
- Irish Institution of Surveyors (IIS)
- Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)
- Engineers Ireland (IEI)
- Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES)
- Fundamentals of GIS
- Spatial Data Acquisition
- GI Project Management
- Web and User Interface Design
- Spatial Databases
- Introduction to Programming
- Advanced GIS
- GIS Modelling
- Work Placement
- Web GIS
- Programming for GIS
- Advanced Spatial Data Management
- Research Project and Dissertation
In full-time mode, each phase is completed over a 15-week semester. Phases 1 and 2 comprise of taught modules with circa 15 contact hours per week each. During Phase 2, as part of the module Work Placement, students will have the opportunity to gain relevant practical industry experience working within a company or organization. Phase 3 consists of one mandatory module, Research Project and Dissertation.
Applications for this course are now open.
For further information on the application process, please visit How To Apply.
I would completely recommend the MSc in GIS to prospective students, both to those that are seeking a career in GIS and those already in positions where GIS can contribute to their current career.
I am applying all elements of what I learned in the Masters on a daily basis. I strongly recommend the MSc in GIS as you will come out the other end highly proficient in all things GIS.
This is about the best academic decision I’ve made. I love the industry based teaching approach, all the skills are easily transferable to the work place. The lecturers are approachable and always willing to help.
As part of the school requirements I got an internship opportunity as a GIS specialist for a few weeks which gave me the experience needed that helped me secure a job faster in the field.
As this is a full-time level 9 programme, students will not be in a position to work full-time outside – for applicants working full-time, we strongly recommend that students consider the part-time TU220 programme.
Can I undertake individual modules?
Yes. Applications will be considered prior to the beginning of each Semester and places will be allocated space permitting.