Course overview

Geographical Information Science (GIS) is about creating, handling and analysing spatial data. Governments, councils, commercial companies and many other organisations use it as part of their planning and decision-making processes. Retailers regularly use GIS to decide where to site new stores and environmental managers use it to assess the likely environmental impact of new developments. It's a fast-growing and well-paid field in which the demand for well-qualified graduates so far outstrips supply.

As GIS is only just starting to appear on A level syllabuses, we don't assume you have any prior knowledge. No special skills are needed, just an interest in the world around you and its spatial patterns. An interest in IT and the web would be an advantage, as would an interest in maps and graphics. Some of the practical work is group based, so an ability to work with others is also important.

Excellent research and consultancy experience with some of the best GIS facilities of any university in Britain

GIS has been an important part of the undergraduate programmes in Portsmouth for well over a decade. We are also active in GIS research and consultancy, particularly in the environmental and historical areas.

Supporting these activities are some of the best GIS facilities of any university in Britain, including some specialist equipment available in no other British geography department. This includes specialist laboratories for GIS, photogrammetry and image processing as well as modern surveying equipment such as high precision GPS.

Course content

You will study the theory and practice of GIS, plus more specialised topics such as data sources and data capture using land surveys, air surveys and satellite remote sensing.

You’ll also develop wider transferable skills in data analysis, database management and computing. There are also options at all stages of the degree to study more general aspects of human or physical geography, environmental management and computing. Practical laboratory work backs up the theory at every stage, with fieldwork opportunities in Europe and north Canada.

The following are an example of the topics you will study:

• Geomatics
• Geographical Data Analysis
• Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
• Database Management

Teaching and assessment

Teaching will be mainly based around formal lectures supported by practicals, workshops or tutorials. Some units are also delivered via the internet. Class sizes will vary from quite large classes in your first year to classes of no more than 20 students for some subjects in your second and third years.

You will have a tutor for each year of your degree who will hold regular tutorials in groups of no more than seven and on a one-to-one basis when required. If you experience any particular problems with your work, you will also be able to see any member of staff on an individual basis. Our highly skilled technicians will also be on hand to help and advise with any of the practical work.

Practical experience of GIS will be gained through carefully structured practicals and by carrying out supervised projects. Most practicals are derived from ‘real world’ applications carried out by staff in the Department. Examples include analysing satellite images of Israel, working with census data and creating terrain models of important archaeological sites.

Most of the courses are assessed through coursework and essays. Some units also use computer-based tests and formal examinations, but there are now relatively few of those.

Career prospects

You will be well placed to take up a career in this expanding market. Past graduates now work for organisations such as the Ordnance Survey, the Environment Agency, local authorities, health authorities, insurance companies, the Ministry of Defence and retailers.

There is, of course, the option to go on to do further study or research, both at Portsmouth or other universities and institutes.

Facilities and features

Entry requirements

View all the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Geography with Geographical Information Science for the academic year 2013/14 (opens in new window).