Spatial / GI Focus
Master of Spatial Information Science
Spatial Information is based on the now established Geographic Information Science (GIScience). GIScience is by nature interdisciplinary, at the intersection of spatial information science, artificial intelligence, cognitive and neuroscience, linguistics, and philosophy.
This course uniquely reflects this character, not by trying to put everything together, but by enabling the students to specialize in one of these intersection areas, with geoinformatics as one of their bases. The course will allow students to study spatial information with a wide range of specialisations, such as in economy (market and value of spatial information), in psychology (spatial cognition, human-computer interaction on spatial information), in computer science (mobile spatial computing, spatiotemporal databases, spatial data mining), in planning (spatiotemporal analysis and visualization), in civil engineering (management of infrastructure), or in Geomatics (spatial data capture, tracking, mining).
The Master of Spatial Information Science is a two-year full-time program (also available in part-time mode) which offers a professional entry Masters qualification to graduates with a three-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate discipline.
Master of Spatial Information Science
- Duration
- 200 credit points (2 years full-time / 4 years part-time)
- Fees
- This course offers Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and Full Fee places.
- Local student fees
- CSP: $8,050 per 100 credit points in 2012
Full fee: $25,920 per 100 credit points in 2012 - International student fees
- Full fee: $31,904 per 100 credit points in 2012
Learning Outcomes
Graduates are able to demonstrate competence across the broad field of spatial information science and engineering, and, through a specialization in one other science or engineering discipline of their choice, they have an excellent understanding of interfaces and links with other science and engineering disciplines. The Master of Spatial Information Science program develops breadth of understanding and outlook, and ability to engage with a wide range of technologies and applications, with sufficient depth in one or more specific areas of practice to develop competence in handling technically advanced and complex problems.
Professional Accreditation
The Melbourne School of Engineering has provisional accreditation for the Master of Spatial Information Science from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). It is accredited by EUR-ACE.
Graduate Destinations
As fields of specialisations are broad within this program, graduates may choose from a wide range of occupations and fields, ranging from mapping the movement of bushfires with aerial and satellite technology, using global positioning systems to manage transport and delivery flows for a multi-national logistics company, designing mobile, location-based games, to advising politicians and NGOs on environment, planning and infrastructure issues.
Possible fields of employment where spatial information technology will play an important role include economics, cognitive science, computer science, planning, civil engineering, geomatics, social science, public health and environments.
Course Structure
Students must complete 75 credit points (five subjects) of core subjects, 25 credit points (two subjects) of spatial information electives, 50 credit points (4 subjects) of approved electives and 50 credit points (1 subject) of an interdisciplinary research project.
Example course plan
| First year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Core | Core | MSIS Elective | MSIS Elective |
| Core | Core | Core | Elective |
| Second year | |||
| Elective | Elective | Elective | Core |
| Research project | |||
Core subjects
The following core subjects must be taken in the Master of Spatial Information Science.
MSIS Specific Elective Subjects
Students must select two of these subjects.
Spatial Information Research Projects
Students must also take 50 points from research projects below.
General Elective Subjects
Students must select four elective subjects. The course allows a combination of four subjects of ANY graduate or postgraduate subjects, pending the course coordinator's approval.
The specific subjects selected will be determined after consultation with the MIS Coordinator taking into account the academic background of the student.
See the Course Handbook for more details
Entry Requirements
A three-year undergraduate degree in an appropriate* discipline with at least a 65% average (University of Melbourne equivalent).
Broad discipline areas include computer science, environments (planning, landscape, and agriculture), economics, cognitive science or public health or other discipline specialisation as approved by the Coordinator.
English Language Requirements
All applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements. The most common requirements for international students are TOEFL 577 + TWE 4.5, Computer TOEFL 233 + 4.5 essay rating, or IELTS 6.5 (written 6.0).
