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December 2000
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World's first degree course on "Satallite Positioning
Technology" by University of Nottingham, UK.
University of Nottingham leads the world in offering
degree course dedicated to Satellite Positioning Technology
The universsity of Nottingham is to receive a grant of around £500,000
from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
under its Masters Training Package (MTP) scheme for the introduction
of a postgraduate degree and diploma course in Satellite Positioning
Technology - the first such course in the world.
Students embarking on the course, which starts in the University's
Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) in the
next academic year, will get the chance to learn in depth about the
science and practical uses of satellite positioning systems, such as
the US Global Positioning System.
The Global Positioning System is now affecting the lives of everybody
and is widely used in air, marine and land navigation. There are
already four million GPS receivers installed in cars in Japan alone.
The European Commission predicts a potential global market for
satellite navigation systems of £25 billion by the end of 2005, with
a European market of around £4 billion every year.
A final decision from European governments on the future of Europe's
own satellite navigation system called Galileo is expected later this
month and the potential work that could be generated by the project
is enormous - both in terms of research and development and of
manufacturing and future market developments.
The IESSG is hoping, by offering graduates and established
professionals the chance to gain an MSc or postgraduate diploma in
Satellite Positioning Technology, it will help to address the skills
shortage currently being experienced in this growth industry.
Director of the institute Professor Alan Dodson said: "The rapid
growth of this new technology provides a number of challenges for
the education of professional engineers and scientists and users of
this technology. "To allow UK industry to have an opportunity to be
competitive in the business of satellite positioning technology,
there is a national need to provide an appropriate structure of
Masters level courses. Satellite positioning and navigation has '
come of age' and can now be treated as a substantial subject in its
own right."
Over the past twenty years, the core of the IESSG's research activity
has been centered around satellite navigation and positioning systems.
It is at the forefront of research into the development of technology
and applications of the GPS and has been actively involved in the
consortia formed to help define the Galileo system - work which is
being given significant funding from the European Commission and
the European Space Agency.
The IESSG currently offers a range of Masters level courses that
provide modules related to satellite positioning systems, but the
new MTP/MSc Satellite Positioning Technology course is the first
time it has concentrated specifically on the subject.
A unique selling point of the degree or diploma is that it will be
delivered in intensive one-week teaching blocks, supported with
web-based resource material. This will enable students to register
either part-time or full-time, or even to take part only in selected
modules, as short courses as part of their continuing professional
development.
This will considerably widen access to the course, enabling
participation by students whilst they remain in full-time employment.
The EPSRC funding will also allow for the provision of scholarships.
Professor Dodson added: "We decided upon this strategic initiative
largely due to demand from industry. The focus of the course is on
attracting people from industry who either wish to pursue a
recognized postgraduate qualification or to develop their knowledge,
understanding and skills in a particular subject offered as a short
course."
For more information please contact:
The Admission Secretary,
Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy
University of Nottingham,University Park
Nottingham,NG7 2RD
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel :+44 (0) 115 8466028
Fax +44 (0) 115 9513881
Email:iessg-admissions@nottingham.ac.uk
Web site:http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/iessg
Supported by EPSRC under its Masters Training Programme,
Scholarships and Studentships available.
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