Geographical Information Science & Society – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Teaching is based around four five week blocks, preceded by an induction week. There is also a weekend of Field Work. Teaching is concentrated in the first three blocks, with work on the dissertation commencing in block four and continuing over the summer.

An introductory course, of two days' duration, will take place at the start of the year as part of an Induction Week. This will provide an overview of the GIS Laboratory computer systems. It is intended to provide a basic set of skills which are required for the remainder of the course. All students are strongly recommended to attend this module regardless of previous computing experience. This component is not examinable.

Students undertake a number of key compulsory courses and choose their remaining courses from a wide range of options. Applicants should be aware that because different options are available in the four blocks, not all course combinations will be possible. This is particularly the case with courses timetabled by other Schools within the University. Successful applicants will be advised of the precise timetabling on arrival in Edinburgh.

Note also that not all the above option courses may be offered every year. The selection may be varied slightly depending on available resources and the numbers of students wishing to take a particular module.

Unique Features
The Edinburgh GIS programme has a number of unique features:

* Extensive experience as the first programme of its type in the world, established in 1985
* Flexibility of choice, allowing the programme to be tailored to your particular requirements
* Proven track-record of graduate employment
* Overseas students can work in Scotland for up to two years after graduation under the Fresh Talent Scheme
* Strong links with industry through close staff contacts with individual companies, local and national government, together with the Association for Geographic Information and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
* Annual student prizes generously sponsored by Informed Solutions
* Unique professional seminar series, run jointly by the Edinburgh Earth Observatory and AGI-Scotland, which connects students with GI professionals from across Scotland
* Extensive graduate network, with hundreds of graduates working in key positions worldwide
* Annual graduate conference - GIS Update
* Critical mass of highly committed staff
* Enjoy studying in a University established in 1582, located in the centre of one of the most spectacular cities in the World, with its annual international festival

Assessment
Within each course comprising the taught component of the course, the assessment will be based on continuous assessment (through practical work, essays and/or project) and one or two written examination questions.

The bias is towards continuous assessment, which will form 100% of the assessment in a number of modules.

To pass the taught component overall, students must achieve an average pass mark (40%) across all modules taken, but also an average pass mark across all of the examinations taken. In addition, each core module must be passed individually. Those who achieve an overall course mark of 50% can proceed to the M.Sc. dissertation. Students who achieve an overall pass mark between 40% and 50% will be recommended to proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma.

In the case of marginal candidates, account will be taken of work completed in the practical exercises associated with individual course modules. Examination by viva voce (oral examination), which may be on any aspect of the course, may be required at the discretion of the external examiners.

Having successfully completed the taught component, the award of the M.Sc. is based on satisfactory performance in the Dissertation. However, award of a distinction requires an excellent performance in both the taught and dissertation components.