Placing the world at your fingertips.
Take a look around you… notice how every feature has its own unique and precise location. These locations can be fixed by geographical coordinates and measured in one, two or three dimensions in space. The process of linking features with geo-referenced coordinates creates spatial data, and these data are stored and managed in geographic information systems (GIS).
GIS have revolutionized the way that spatial data are used – many aspects of our everyday lives are connected with GIS in one way or another, from the obvious Google Earth and mobile location technologies to morning mail delivery, our electricity supply, through to weather forecasts every evening.
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.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Geographic Information Systems as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Bachelor of Science with Honours (BSc(Hons))
A four-year degree focusing on advanced study and culminating in a research project in the final year
Postgraduate Certificate in Science (PGCertSci)
A coursework programme, typically consisting of three papers, that can be completed with full-time (one-semester) or part-time (full-year) study
Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci)
A one-year programme which builds on an undergraduate science degree, encompassing coursework and a chosen research topic
Master of Science (Applied) (MSc(Applied))
A coursework postgraduate degree with a research component. The MSc(Applied) can be completed in 12 months or in stages over a longer period.
Master of Science (Thesis) (MSc(Thesis))
A two-year degree with a wide range of subject options. The MSc(Thesis) may be taken by a combination of coursework and thesis, or by thesis only.
Graduate qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Programme details
Compare programmes for this subject.
| Papers |
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Subject offered from 2027.
120 points from papers listed for the subject in schedule D.
Review relevant papers under Master of Science (Applied) and Master of Science (Thesis)
| Papers |
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Five papers from:
Two papers from: SCNC 501, SCNC 503 or other 400- or 500-level papers approved by the Programme Director. One of: SCNC 597 Supervised Independent Study or SCNC 598 Workplace-based Project. |
| Papers and Thesis |
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Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
SURV papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SURV120 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying and Spatial Science | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV130 | 2026, 2027 | People, Place and the Built Environment | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV201 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV202 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Mathematics | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV203 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV204 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV205 | 2026, 2027 | Statutory Land Planning 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV206 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV220 | 2026, 2027 | Geographic Information Science | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV298 | 2026, 2027 | Introductory Field Camp | 0 points | 1st Non standard period (2 February 2026 - 20 February 2026), 1st Non standard period (8 February 2027 - 26 February 2027) |
| SURV301 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 2 | 18 points | 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 February 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 17 February 2028) |
| SURV302 | 2026, 2027 | Geodetic Reference Systems and Network Analysis | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV303 | 2026, 2027 | Urban Design 1 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV304 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Engineering 3 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV306 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 2 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV307 | 2026, 2027 | Cadastral Surveying 1 | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV309 | 2026, 2027 | Remote Sensing for Earth Observation | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV314 | 2026, 2027 | 3D Reality Capture | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV319 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Algorithms and Programming | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV320 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Analysis and Visualisation | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV322 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Surveying | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV329 | 2026, 2027 | Selected Topics in Surveying 1 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV399 | 2026, 2027 | Third Year Field Course | 0 points | 1st Non standard period (2 November 2026 - 27 November 2026), 1st Non standard period (8 November 2027 - 3 December 2027) |
| SURV413 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Mapping and Image Processing | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV418 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Geographic Information Science | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV450 | 2026, 2027 | Professional Practice | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV451 | 2026, 2027 | Surveying Methods 3 | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV452 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Surveying 2 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV453 | 2026, 2027 | Urban Design 2 | 18 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV455 | 2026, 2027 | Statutory Planning B | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV456 | 2026, 2027 | Land Tenure 3 | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV457 | 2026, 2027 | Cadastral Surveying 3 | 18 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV458 | 2026, 2027 | Marine Law and the Environment | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV459 | 2026, 2027 | Engineering Surveying | 18 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV462 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Field Design and Voyage | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV463 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Practical Techniques in Hydrography | 18 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV465 | 2026, 2027 | Land Development Management | 18 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV469 | 2026, 2027 | Selected Topics in Surveying 2 | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV470 | 2026, 2027 | Professional Project | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV473 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 36 points | Full Year |
| SURV474 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 18 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV480 | 2026, 2027 | Research Project | 36 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (19 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
| SURV499 | 2026, 2027 | Vacation Employment | 0 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV509 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Remote Sensing for Earth Observation | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV513 | 2026, 2027 | Resource Mapping and Image Processing | 20 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV514 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced 3D Reality Capture | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV518 | 2026, 2027 | GIScience for Postgraduates | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV519 | 2026, 2027 | Spatial Algorithms and Programming | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV520 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Spatial Analysis and Visualisation | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV551 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Surveying Methods | 20 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV552 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Hydrographic Surveying | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 2 |
| SURV553 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Urban Design | 20 points | Semester 2, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV555 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Statutory Planning | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV556 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Land Tenure | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Semester 1 |
| SURV557 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Cadastral Surveying | 20 points | Semester 1 |
| SURV558 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Marine Law and the Environment | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV559 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Engineering Surveying | 20 points | Semester 2 |
| SURV562 | 2026, 2027 | Hydrographic Field Design and Voyage | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV563 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Practical Techniques in Hydrography | 20 points | Not offered in 2026, Not offered in 2027 |
| SURV565 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Land Development Management | 20 points | Semester 1, Not offered in 2027, expected to be offered in 2028 |
| SURV569 | 2026, 2027 | Advanced Topics in Surveying | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| SURV573 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 40 points | Full Year |
| SURV574 | 2026, 2027 | Special Topic | 20 points | Semester 1, Semester 2, Full Year |
| SURV580 | 2026, 2027 | Research project | 40 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
| SURV590 | 2026, 2027 | Dissertation | 60 points | Full Year, 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 18 June 2027), 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 18 June 2028) |
Contacts
Dr Antoni Moore
Tel +64 3 479 7589
Fax +64 3 479 7686
Email tony.moore@otago.ac.nz
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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