Study Geographic Information Systems at Otago

Why study Geographic Information Systems?

GIS are fundamental to urban and regional planning, wildlife management, using business intelligence in commerce, tourism, public health, traffic management, and a host of other applications.

It is a multi-billion-dollar worldwide industry, with opportunities almost anywhere in the global economy. It is an area of study that is truly cross-disciplinary.

GIS combines academic rigour with practical application. Accurate, complete and up-to-date spatial information is an immensely valuable resource for businesses and governments.

Career opportunities

There are diverse opportunities for GIS graduates throughout New Zealand and worldwide. You’ll gain the specialist skills needed to work as a GIS or Remote Sensing operator, analyst or manager.

You may end up employed by a large corporation, working in local, regional or the national government, or equally, you could work for a consultancy firm. This kind of work tends to have plenty of variety, and opportunities for domestic and international travel.

You might be identifying the geographical distribution of endangered plant, animal or bird species. You could work for a regional council, analysing the risk of landslips or flood mitigation; or advising on planning issues. You will also be in an excellent position to launch your own business after you have gained some experience in the spatial information industry.

Background required and mode of study

There is some flexibility in entry requirements, but demonstrated strength in Year 13 mathematics is recommended.

As well as learning theory and applications of GIS in lectures, you’ll gain hands-on experience. You’ll use cutting-edge software, and you could even be involved in customising GIS tools for specific purposes.

Your studies will also involve field trips, visiting sites for which you have a satellite image or something similar, and confirming what each feature represents.

You’ll carry out 6–10 weeks of work experience over the summer at the end of your second and/or third year, make connections between the knowledge you gain in the classroom and the workplace. It will also help you to start building a network of contacts in the industry.

What will I learn?

As a GIS graduate you’ll have a thorough understanding of spatial data, analysis, and visualisation, and be able to apply GIS techniques. You’ll learn about mobile GIS and web mapping as well as remote sensing (including from drones) and GNSS (GPS) positioning. You’ll also learn skills in project management, cartographic presentation, database design, and basic computer programming.

Can I combine my GIS study with other subjects?

Yes!

Your first-year course can cover the prerequisites for Software Engineering or Environmental Management and others.

The Applied Science degree requires a second major or a minor in a relevant complementary field of study.

What will I study?

First year

You will study foundation Geospatial Science, Information Science, and Computer Science with the option to back this up with Surveying and Geography. This underpins the specific GIS courses in the following year.

Second year

You’ll learn the basics of GIS and their applications – simple spatial data storage, analysis, and visualization; a geographic or surveying topic; the technology associated with GIS: databases, spatial data structures, and information systems.

Third year

You’ll be introduced to the basic techniques of satellite and airborne remote sensing/photogrammetry, spatial analysis and GIS programming. You’ll have the choice of taking a surveying or geography topic to this level.

Fourth year

For those of you undertaking Honours, there is a full year dissertation project, a primer on project management, and courses on geovisualisation/cartography, and advanced remote sensing/photogrammetry.

Qualifications

Explore your study options further. Refer to enrolment information found on the following qualification pages.

• Bachelor of Applied Science* (BAppSc)
• Bachelor of Arts and Science (BASc)
• Bachelor of Commerce and Science (BComSc)
• Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours (BAppSc(Hons))
• Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (PGCertAppSc)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Science (PGDipAppSc)
• Master of Applied Science (MAppSc)
• Diploma for Graduates (DipGrad)

*It is a requirement that every Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc) normally includes an approved minor subject or an approved second major subject. Usually such a minor or second major subject must be selected from the approved combinations of major subjects with minor or second major subjects. Some exceptions may apply. For details see:

Full list of available approved minor and second major subject areas

Key information for future students

• Domestic students
• International students

Contact us

Dr Antoni Moore
Tel +64 3 479 7589
Fax +64 3 479 7686

Email tony.moore@otago.ac.nz
Website Applied Science programme

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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2023 Calendar and supplementary material.