Master of Geographic Information Science
Abbreviation of Award
MGISc
UWA Course Code
71570
Degree Type
Coursework or Coursework and Dissertation
CRICOS Code:
083877D
Fee Type
Full Fee
Course Advice
Please contact the Science Student Office (www.science.uwa.edu.au/students/science-student-office)
About this Course
The Masters in Geographic Information Science allows for the development of technical and research skills applicable to a range of
disciplines relying on the use of spatial analytic techniques. The course provides grounding in both theory and application, equipping
students with the skills necessary to compete in the spatial industry.
The course will cover applications of GIS and remote sensing technologies, cartography and geovisualisation, and spatial programming.
Graduates therefore will be competent in advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS) computing skills, GIS and remote sensing
operations, and implementation and management of GIS projects.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have a bachelor's degree of this University or equivalent as recognised
by the Faculty.
Course Duration
Minimum: 1.5 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 credit points of taught units and 24 points of admission
credit.*
Maximum: 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 96 points of taught units**
*Students with a bachelor’s degree or major in a cognate area of study will be granted up to 24 points credit in recognition of prior learning.
** Students requiring more than 72 credit points will receive course advice specifying additional units.
Example Cognate Majors: Agricultural Science, Marine Science, Urban and Regional Planning, Natural Resource Management, Zoology,
Botany, Conservation Biology, Engineering Science, Geology, Population Health or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.
Knowledge
Everything on the Earth exists in some place and time. Location is an important part of understanding the nature of a phenomenon
and its relationships with other aspects of a system. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now widely accepted as a technology
for examining objects and events in space and time, and spatial analysis is an important skill which is required in many disciplines and
careers.
This course introduces postgraduate students to GIS, providing training in both the use of GIS technology and the analysis of spatial
data. The goal of this course is to develop an expert understanding of spatial data and its analysis; spatial problem-solving abilities at a
professional level; and develop the knowledge and skills required to apply GIS in a broad set of applications (to enhance marketability
of graduates).
Course Structure
Coursework ONLY
ENVT4408 GIS Programming
ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems applications
ENVT4409 Remote Sensing of the Environment
Core Units
ENVT5511 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
ENVT4407 Readings in Cartography and Geovisualisation
ENVT5504 GIS and the Built Environment
Option Units
Take SIX option units; at least FOUR of these must be at Level 5
MGISc SSO: Jul 14
Coursework AND Dissertation
Research Project Rule
Students who request approval to undertake a research project as an optional unit in this course must have:

a weighted average mark of at least 65 % in at least 24 points of the level three units completed towards a cognate major in their UWA
undergraduate degree;

or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty;

or have a weighted average mark of at least 65% in at least 24 points of level 4/5 units completed within the course; AND

a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, must have confirmed his/her willingness and availability to supervise the research project.
ENVT4408 GIS Programming
ENVT4411 Geographic Information Systems applications
ENVT4409 Remote Sensing of the Environment
Core Units
ENVT5511 Advanced Geographic Information Systems
ENVT4407 Readings in Cartography and Geovisualisation
ENVT5504 GIS and the Built Environment
SCIE5590 Literature Review and Research Proposal
SCIE5511 Science Research Project Part 1
Research Project
SCIE5512 Science Research Project Part 2
SCIE5513 Science Research Project Part 3
Option Units
Take TWO option units; at least THREE of these must be at Level 5
Option Units
Coursework ONLY; students take SIX option units (36 pts); at least FOUR of these must be at Level 5
Coursework AND Dissertation; students take TWO option unis (12 pts) AND SCIE5590 AND SCIE5511-13
AGRI4407 Plant and Human Nutrition
AGRI4401 Advanced Crop Production Science
BIOL4402 Conservation Genetics
AGRI4406 Integrated Pest Management
BIOL4408 Marine Ecology
AGRI4408 Sustainable Grazing Systems
BIOL4409 Ecological Field Methods
BIOL4403 Plant Ecophysiology
ENVT4401 Advanced Land Use and Management
BIOL4407 Marine Conservation and Fisheries Management
ENVT4403 Coastal and Estuarine Processes
ENVT4406 Catchment and River Processes
PLNG4401 Planning Theory and Practice
GEOG4001 Social Demography and Development
AGRI5504 Organic Agriculture
PLNG4403 Planning and Governance
ECON5002 Agriculture and Economic Development
PLNG4411 Urban and Regional Analysis
ENVT5502 Marine and Coastal Planning and Management
BIOL5501 Plant Diversity in WA: Evolution and Conservation
ENVT5503 Remediation of Soils and Groundwater
ECON5001 Contemporary Issues in Economic Development
GEOG5003 Mining and Regional Development
PLNG5512 Regional Planning
GEOG5004 Place-based Development
PLNG5510 Advanced Studies in Geography and Planning
PLNG5511 Climate Change Policy and Planning
SCIE5505 Global Change and the Marine Environment
POLS5671 Peace and Security in Africa
SOCS5010 NGOs, Governance and Development
SOCS5502 Conservation, Development and Sustainability
GEOG5002 Case Studies in Development Practice
POLS5672 Critical Perspectives in International Development
SCIE4481 Good, bogus and corrupted science
MGISc SSO: Jul 14