Geographic Information Science - Conversion Course - Bolton Street

What is a Postgraduate Conversion Programme?

A conversion programme enables graduates of one discipline to acquire a qualification in a different discipline at Postgraduate Diploma and Masters Level. Having studied a particular degree you may decide that you wish to change your career path and consider undertaking a conversion programme at TU Dublin.

What is... Geographic Information Science?
Geographic information Systems are widely-used indispensable tools for governance, commerce, and environmental and social science in Ireland and world-wide. Over the next few years it is forecast that the area of GIS will grow rapidly. This will lead to the need for highly qualified professionals in all areas of the geospatial industry. The MSc programme in Geographic Information Science presents an opportunity to develop and build on your previous learning and to deepen your understanding and knowledge of essential principles, practices and applications of geospatial technologies.

Competency in information technology skills has consistently been identified as a critical need in the geospatial industry and in the wider workplace in Ireland. This programme has been designed specifically to address these issues and will provide graduates with a thorough grounding in information technology including spatial databases and web technology as well as programming skills tailored to the particular requirements of geospatial data.

This is a conversion programme to enable graduates of a related discipline or current practitioners in the geospatial or related industry to acquire a qualification in Geographic Information Science at Masters Level. The programme is delivered within Spatial Information Sciences in the School of Surveying and Construction Management in DIT Bolton Street. A maximum intake of 20 students is planned from different disciplines and backgrounds.

Subjects taught

Fundamentals of GIS
Spatial Data Acquisition
GI Project Management
Web and User Interface Design
Spatial Databases
Introduction to Programming
Advanced GIS
GIS Modelling
Work Placement
Web GIS
Programming for GIS
Advanced Spatial Data Management
Research Project and Dissertation

Entry requirements

Conversion Programme
To be admitted to the programme, students should have a minimum of a 2.2 in an honours bachelor degree (level 8 NQAI) or equivalent. Applications from candidates who have an equivalent qualification at honours level (for example, a professional qualification) will also be considered. Prior work or industrial experience is not a pre-requisite for entry on to the course.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Non EU applicants must have documentary proof of Irish residency or an Irish work permit to be eligible to apply for the programme. Full-Time applicants are required to produce a valid student study visa and evidence of the minimum English proficiency requirement for overseas applicants, by meeting a minimum requirement of 6.5 in IELTS or equivalent.

Applications may be considered from candidates who do not have the minimum academic requirements set out above but who do have significant relevant industry experience. In this situation candidates will be interviewed.

Application dates

Applications open from November 2021.

Duration

1 year full-time

Method of Delivery Classroom

Schedule
In full-time mode, each phase is completed over a 15-week semester. Phases 1 and 2 comprise of taught modules with circa 15 contact hours per week each. During Phase 2, as part of the module Work Placement, students will have the opportunity to gain relevant practical industry experience working within a company or organization. Phase 3 consists of one mandatory module, Research Project and Dissertation.

Post Course Info

What are my career opportunities?
It is an exciting and challenging time for the geospatial industry and also a time of opportunity. Government has recognised the value and benefit in promoting Ireland as a smart economy and developing the expertise and technology to manage and exploit new sources of information and technologies. Development of such technologies requires highly skilled graduates with both strong computing and spatial analysis skills.

Employment opportunities and emerging workforce development opportunities are growing in the GIScience area and the number of GIS-related job opportunities has risen steadily over the last few years. Career opportunities exist in a wide and diverse range of organisations including government, semi-state, private and commercial sectors.