Spatial Information Management - Bolton Street

What is... Spatial Information Management?
Please note due to the great demand for our programmes early applications are assessed when received and dealt with promptly. Therefore it is advisable to make early applications for an early response. If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances

This part-time programme, delivered over 2 years (4 semesters), provides an opportunity for professionals who use spatial information in their organizations to improve their knowledge and skills for a range of careers in the Surveying and Geo-Information (GI) sectors in Ireland and abroad.

The need for competitiveness and efficiency in both the private and public sectors has resulted in a growing awareness of the role of spatial information and GIS technologies in support of the decision making process. This, together with the implementation of the EU INSPIRE Directive and the development of the Irish Spatial Data Infrastructure within the context of the Information Society in Ireland, has highlighted the demand for professionals with particular qualifications and enhanced skills in the understanding, use and management of spatial information.

The programme is presented within the new School of Spatial Planning in the College of Engineering and Built Environment in DIT Bolton Street. A maximum intake of 20 students is planned from different disciplines and backgrounds, all with experience in the use of spatial information.

The programme is accredited by the Irish Institution of Surveyors and the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

Applications are expected from practitioners in :

The GI research community

Government departments, state agencies, local authorities and utilities responsible for acquiring spatial data, managing GI, preparing GI strategies for their departments/ agencies, and using GI in the production and delivery of their services;

Software and hardware system suppliers and developers;

Private sector spatial data and GI providers

Private sector GI service providers (including those who undertake data audits, data cleansing, data formatting, etc.)

Professionals from related disciplines (geographers, geologists, engineers, and IT specialists) who wish to enhance their GI skills.

Programme Delivery
Attendance will be required for one evening (Thursday) and one full day (Friday) per week during the academic semesters where there will be a varied and flexible delivery of the programme including lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, project work, e-learning, problem-based learning, guest lectures, seminars, site visits, etc.

Because students will be experienced practicing professionals from different disciplines, the programme provides scope for a considerable degree of inter-disciplinary learning and evaluation of experience both within the student group as well as between lecturers and students. Students are expected to actively contribute to this interactive process.

Can I undertake individual modules?

Yes. Applications will be considered prior to the beginning of each Semester and places will be allocated space permitting.

Is it possible to complete the progamme on a full-time basis ?

Not at present.The programme currently runs on a part-time basis only,however depending on demand, the School will consider developing the programme for delivery both on a full-time and a part-time basis.

Year 1:

Semester 1:
Spatial Data Acquisition 1 (GNSS & Coordinate Reference Systems)
Geographic Information Science 1
Project Management
Spatial Data Acquisition 2 (Remote Sensing Technologies)

Semester 2:
Geographic Information Science 2
Geographic Information Management 1 (Legal & Quality Issues)
Spatial Databases
Spatial Data Infrastructures

Year 2:

Semester 3:
Geographic Information Management 1 (Organisational GI Strategies & FME)
Case Studies in GI Applications
e-Government Service Provision
Research Studies

Semester 4:
Masters dissertation
Progamme Delivery

Attendance will be required for one evening (Thursday) and one full day (Friday) per week during the academic semesters where there will be a varied and flexible delivery of the programme including lectures, tutorials, laboratory work, project work, e-learning, problem-based learning, guest lectures, seminars, site visits, etc.

Because students will be experienced practicing professionals from different disciplines, the programme provides scope for a considerable degree of inter-disciplinary learning and evaluation of experience both within the student group as well as between lecturers and students. Students are expected to actively contribute to this interactive process.

Minimum Entry Requirements?
In order 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 will also 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 must have:

At least 5 years relevant experience in a management capacity, and

Have a qualification in a related discipline of at least equivalent to NQAI level 7, or other relevant qualification as accepted by the DIT Admissions and Exemptions Committee.

Such applicants may also be requested to submit a portfolio of their work to facilitate the evaluation of their application.

Selection will be made, following interview, using the following criteria.

Academic and or professional qualifications

Relevant professional employment experience

Evidence at interview of (a) a commitment to a career in spatial information management; (b) an interest in , and critical awareness of, the role of GI in society; and (c) evidence of interest in postgraduate spatial information research.

Applications open from Monday, 23rd November 2020.

The programme is assessed through a range of techniques including: project work; group work, assignments, and presentations. In addition, students will be expected to complete a dissertation.

Students can progress from one academic year to the next provided all assessments in the pre-requisite modules have been passed. Progression to semester 4 to complete the masters dissertation requires a grade point average of >50% in all 12 modules and a score of 40% or above in the research studies module.

The programme is accredited by the Irish Institution of Surveyors and the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.

2 years part-time

The programme is presented on a part-time basis through a four semester cycle and will require 2 years to complete. During semesters one to four (each approximately 12 weeks long), attendance will be required for one day per week. Written examinations will be held at the end of each semester, normally in January and May. During the fifth semester students will work primarily on their dissertation.

Commencement Date: 19/09/2019.

What are my career opportunities?
The programme is accredited by the Irish Institution of Surveyors and the Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors.