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New trends in Geographic Information Technology Education

2. Objectives and Structure of the New Degree
The objectives of the BGeoIT degree are to produce graduates who possess:
  • A broad knowledge of geographic information science and technology that enables them to competently enter the geographic information industry and allied areas of the IT sector;
  • In-depth technical knowledge and skills in the development and application of geographic information technology;
  • A sound fundamental understanding of scientific and information technology principles and methods;
  • Analysis, problem solving and system design skills;
  • A capacity to apply practical skills in the development of mathematical and computer-based solutions to problems in which geographic information technology can be applied;
  • Verbal and communication skills that enable them to communicate effectively in the context of defining and solving problems;
  • An understanding of the basic principles underlying the management of physical, human and financial resources;
  • Personal skills and attributes, together with a depth of knowledge, that equip them for positions of leadership in basic and applied research, and management of information technology-intensive enterprises;
  • An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the many professional groups engaged in the geographic information industry; and
  • An understanding of the extent to which team work underscores successful information technology solutions in the geographic information industry; and
  • An appreciation of the interpersonal, communication and management skills necessary for the successful development and implementation of these IT-based solutions.
The new degree will draw upon several core geographic information-related subjects already taught in the current Bachelor of Geomatic Engineering degree. These subjects include Geomatics Science (dealing with the fundamental principles of geographic data collection), Introductory GIS and Remote Sensing, Imaging in the Geosciences, Environmental Visualisation and Mapping, Land Administration (including Spatial Data Infrastructures), Applications of Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis, and Application and Development of GIS. Furthermore, the degree will include other Department-taught subjects in Computer Systems and Graphics, Information Systems and Programming, Professional Development, and Research Studies. The degree will also draw on subjects taught by other Faculties including several units of mathematics, Experimental Design and Data Analysis, Database Systems, Management principles, and Management Information Systems. The structure of the BGeoIT degree is shown below in Figure 1.


Figure 1 The structure of the new BGeoIT degree

Importantly, however, the new degree provides the opportunity to develop and introduce several new subjects within the Department in the areas of Web-Mapping and e-Commerce, Location-Based Services. These subjects, together with a new database unit, will ensure that students enrolled in the 3-year degree have continuity and a common focus as an independent group during the final two years of their course. This focus will be supported in the third year of the course by the subject ‘Case Studies in that Geographic Information Industry’, which will draw all subjects in the degree together from an academic perspective. It is also intended that there be an option for suitably qualified students to take a 4th, or Honours, year in their BGeoIT which will require them to study higher level subjects offered by the Department in Spatial Data Handling and the Management of GIS, plus completion of a substantial research project.

Looking at the new subjects in more detail, firstly “Web Mapping and e-Commerce” will provide an introduction to the concepts and processes used in distributing geographic information (in particular) and conducting e-commerce over the web. The subject focus will be on the technical aspects of web-based mapping architectures, and both technical and non-technical aspects of e-commerce. Topics to be covered include the principles of web-based data delivery, client and server-side strategies, on-line analytical processing (OLAP), streaming vector models, network protocols, CGI, Java and Applets. From an e-commerce perspective topics to be covered include the principles and use of e-commerce technologies such as XML, automatic identification, web-based data clearinghouses, and e-hubs and e-markets in managing and re-engineering supply chains. In addition, areas such as business models for e-commerce, marketing and payment systems, security, privacy and ethics raised by web-base mapping and e-commerce will be taught to students.

Next, the subject “Location-based Services” will include topics such as: data transmission (synchronous and asynchronous transmission, error detection and correction, and data compression); local and wide area networks (architectures, protocols and surrounding issues); and the delivery of geographic information via telecommunication networks. In addition, the subject will cover the incorporation of geo-positioning technologies within the telecommunication infrastructure, and the integration of these various technologies to achieve spatial information solutions.

Finally, the subject “Case Studies in the Geographic Information Industry” will incorporate and highlight the principles and practices that have been presented in earlier subjects through a combination of local and overseas case studies. Students will gain an understanding of the way that organisations design, develop, implement, maintain and use GIS; the complexity, politics and realities associated with actual systems in organisational contexts; a knowledge of how to analyze, learn and generalize from the experiences of individual organisations; and be exposed to different organisational cultures in both developed and developing nations with regard to the establishment of GIS.

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