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What is the MSc in GIS?
Who studies for the MSc?
How do I choose a research topic?
What support will I receive?
What do I do next?
An MSc qualification is an
internationally recognised level of achievement. UNIGIS is able
to offer you the opportunity to graduate with an MSc in GIS
by completing our advanced MSc programme.
The MSc in GIS consists of
a research dissertation prepared by an individual student with
the support of experienced supervisors. The length of the dissertation
is normally between 10,000 - 15,000 words (as per the MSc submission webpage):
http://www.unigis.org/UNIGIS/RegisteredArea/intakemsc/msc_submission_guidelines.htm
The MSc provides
you with the opportunity to investigate a topic of your own
choosing in some depth. Your supervisors will help you to develop
your skills in problem definition, research design, project
planning and management, data analysis and interpretation and
presentation.
If you score an average mark of 40% or better
for your Diploma studies then you can continue to the MSc in
GIS. More than half of UK students who achieve the qualifying
mark decide to take up the challenge. In addition, students
from other UNIGIS sites complete their MSc studies with the
UNIGIS UK Universities. This means that you will be working
for your MSc together with GI professionals from around the
world. This creates an exciting forum for the exchange of ideas.
Your research topic must lie within your MSc pathway (GIScience, GIS and Management and GIS and Environment). For those students studying for the MSc in Geographical Information Systems it may be any topic within the broad field of GIS. Topics can be related to your area of work or to a particular unit. A project can have a technical, conceptual, practical or methodological focus but has be an independent study demonstrating self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
A suitable research topic will be developed in consultation with course tutors as you near the completion of your taught course.
The UNIGIS Office co-ordinates support
for MSc students. An MSc Resource Pack produced by the MSc Coordinator and there are
Study Guide details on the website which distributes details of MSc
events and loans copies of previous dissertations. In addition,
you will have the support of your personal MSc supervisors and
there are workshops, Internet resources, the MSc discussion forum and library access to online journals via the university library .
Finally, you should not underestimate the potential contribution
from your colleagues and fellow MSc students.
All MSc students are allocated a supervisor
who has experience of supervision and specialist knowledge of
your topic area. Your supervisor will help you refine your topic,
develop your research methodology, assist you with the finding
of appropriate resources and advise you on the preparation of
the dissertation. He/she will be available for help and guidance
throughout your project and can be contacted by telephone, letter
and E-mail. However, you are welcome to visit your supervisor
and there will be opportunities for face to face discussion
at UNIGIS workshops.
An optional MSc workshop is held annually
in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for students at
all stages of their research to exchange ideas and solve problems.
Issues discussed at workshops include how to develop research
design, where to find resources for research and how to write
research reports. Small group size and an informal atmosphere
create a productive working environment.
All MSc students have access to the
UNIGIS E-mail discussion list and a section of the UNIGIS UK
WWW site which includes details of MSc projects and workshops
and answers to frequently asked questions. There is a special forum for MSc students in the online Forum. Your participation
on other discussion lists is also encouraged as appropriate.
You are eligible to use the library
facilities at the University of your registration. You will
also be able to gain borrowing rights from any other
UK university which participates in the [
UK libraries Plus ] scheme. The UNIGIS office will help
you gain reading access to other University libraries, although
this access cannot be guaranteed since it depends upon the policy
of individual institutions. Many libraries, however, have welcomed
UNIGIS students. There is also access to online journals via the university library.
If you complete your Diploma with a
mark of 40% or higher and wish to proceed to the MSc then you
should submit an application form to the MSc Co-ordinator at
the UNIGIS Office. New students are registered annually in September
and normally complete the MSc dissertation within one academic
session. You will complete your research plan within two months
of registration and will have the opportunity to present this
at the MSc workshop in semester one. You should plan to complete
the research by Easter. The deadline for submitting a final
copy of the dissertation is normally in May and the Assessment
Board is normally held in June. (The second date for submission has the deadline date in September and the Assessment Board meeting in October). Students may be permitted to
re-register for a second year if their studies have been disrupted
by unforeseen circumstances.
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