GeographicInformationScienceBSc Honours

UCAS code F8623 Years

www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/F862Printed from the web page above on 03/01/2020

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GeographicInformation ScienceBSc HonoursUCAS code F8623 Years

This degree focuses on the systems andsoftware for analysing geographic data aboutthe world around us. It is highly ICT-orientatedand spans technology, computing, mapping,geography and environmental management.

You learn a range of skills such as programming and datacollection, and work with technology such as satelliteimagery and informatics.

The degree is very hands-on, with plenty of opportunities touse our state-of-the-art software.

This combination of practical skills and specialist knowledgemakes our graduates attractive to employers and we haveexceptional employment rates.

Highlights of this degreeProfessional accreditation*This degree is accredited by:

• the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)• the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

(CICES)

Newcastle is unique in the UK in having this dualaccreditation for its geomatics degrees.

*All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly bytheir professional body.

Study abroadYou have the opportunity to take part in a study abroadexchange.

Find out more about study abroad.

What you will studyThis degree is part of a subject area called geomatics.

Geomatics spans geography, science, mathematics andICT. It is a fascinating area of study for anyone who hasenjoyed these subjects at A level or equivalent.

You are introduced to the subject area through outdoor andcomputer-based practical work. You learn a wide range ofgeographic techniques such as:

• land surveying• GPS• satellite imagery• Geographic Information Systems

You also learn the mathematical techniques required toanalyse and process geographic data.

You will have opportunities to develop your practical skills,using state-of-the-art equipment, particularly on ourresidential field course in the Lake District.

Another major aspect of the degree is an independentresearch project that helps you develop research skills andexplore a topic that interests you in depth.

FieldworkYou will take part in regular practicals in and aroundNewcastle, as well having opportunities to attend residentialfield courses around the UK. These include:

• Stage 1 residential field course in the Lake Districtwhere your task will be to map the Borrowdale Valley

• Stage 2 three-day study tour, visiting organisationswhere GIS is being used, for example, the BritishAntarctic Survey or British Geological Survey

• Stage 3 eight-day GIS field course, which will includedata collection exercises, data analysis and datapresentation

Strong industry linksNewcastle has strong industry links with a variety ofcompanies in the land survey, offshore survey and GISsectors. This is reflected in the availability of workplacements and sponsorship opportunities for our students.Our annual careers fair also helps you make the most ofthese opportunities. 

Graduates from our degree are highly sought after byindustry:

• our employment and further study rate has averaged98% over the last three years

• in 2013, graduates’ average salary was £34,000

(Destination of Leavers of Higher Education surveys2012–13)

Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS)This degree is also approved by DTUS for entry to alltechnical corps.

DTUS is a Ministry of Defence sponsorship programme forstudents who wish to join the Royal Navy, British Army,RAF, or Defence Engineering and Science Group(DESG) as technical officers after graduation.

Find out more on the DTUS programme.

Facilities and support

FacilitiesAs a geomatics student at Newcastle, you will join aclose-knit community within the School of Engineering.

All our students have access to an exceptional rangeof facilities, equipped with a wide range of analyticalinstrumentation.

You will have access to an exceptional pool of advancedindustry-standard field and computer laboratory equipmentincluding:

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• 3D laser scanners• GPS and electronic survey equipment• satellite imagery• state-of-the-art computer software

SupportTo help you get the most out of university life, you'll haveaccess to a range of support, including:

• an extended induction programme to help you settle in• a personal tutor throughout your degree• a student mentor in your first year• our highly active student society

To support you in your studies, all new students enteringyear 1 or year 2 will receive:

• a tablet so you can download the online learning resourcesyou’ll need for your course (helping us to make our campusmore sustainable);• a start-up pack containing essentialpersonal protective equipment and text book.

You'll also benefit from:

• a teambuilding field trip in North Yorkshire in your firstweek, to help you quickly settle in to our community

• our high level of practical and group work, which helpsyou get to know staff and fellow students

Students relaxing on The Union Lawn.

Course Details

Modules for 2019 entry

Please noteThe module and/or programme information below isfor 2019 entry. Our teaching is informed by research andmodules change periodically to reflect developments inthe discipline, the requirements of external bodies andpartners, student feedback, or insufficient numbers ofstudents interested (in an optional module). To find outmore read our terms and conditions.Module/programme information for 2020 entry will bepublished here as soon as it is available (end of May2020).Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts foran academic year and you need to complete modulestotalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage. Furtherinformation, including the credit value of the module, isavailable in each of the module descriptions below.

Stage 1

Compulsory modulesCEG1701  Mapping FieldcourseCEG1702  Geographic Information SystemsCEG1703  SurveyingCEG1705  An Introduction to GNSS and its ApplicationsCEG1706  Principles of Remote SensingCEG1707  Quantitative Methods for GeomaticsCEG1711  Tutorial Study Skills for GeomaticsCEG1713  Informatics 1If you have A level Mathematics at grade B or above, younormally take the following module:

ENG1001  Engineering Mathematics IIf you don't have A level Mathematics, or with A levelMathematics at grade C or below, you normally take thefollowing modules:SFY0001  Basic MathematicsSFY0003  Foundation Mathematics 1

Stage 2

Compulsory modulesCEG2703  Observation Processing and AnalysisCEG2704  Geographic Information Systems: Theory andApplicationCEG2707  Map Projections and Geodetic DatumsCEG2708  Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning 1

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Stage 2

CEG2709  Applied Remote Sensing and ImageProcessingCEG2720  Geomatics Practice and ResearchCEG2721  Spatial Data Modelling and BIMCEG2722  Informatics 2CEG2723  Digital Data AcquisitionCSC2513  Database Systems

Stage 3

Compulsory modulesCEG3701  Advanced GIS FieldcourseCEG3703  Professional PracticeCEG3706  Photogrammetry and Laser Scanning IICEG3707  Geohazards and Deformation of the EarthCEG3716  Geospatial InformaticsCEG3717  Applied Geospatial Data HandlingCEG3799  Individual Research ProjectLAW2053  Law and Land UseOptional modulesYou take 10 credits of modules normally selected fromthe following:CEG2401  Land Traffic and HighwaysCEG2710  GNSS Theory and PracticeCEG3401  Design of Transport InfrastructureCSC3722  Advanced Interaction DesignSUG3500  Creativity and Market Research in Science andEngineering

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methodsYou will enjoy a high level of contact time, around 20–25hours per week, with lots of support available to help youmake the most of your time with us.

You usually study six modules per semester. Each moduleinvolves around two one-hour lectures per week, togetherwith several field/computer practicals of around three hourseach during the semester.

Assessment methodsEach module is usually assessed by a final examination, plustwo to four pieces of course work based on the practicalclasses. You also receive informal non-assessed feedbackon your progress.

Find out moreVisit our Teaching & Learning pages to read about theoutstanding learning experience available to all students atNewcastle University. 

Careers

Geographic Information SciencecareersGeomatics involves using cutting-edge technology that willappeal to those who are looking for an exciting andprofessional future.

As a geomatics graduate you will not only be highlyproficient in a variety of specialised geomatics skills but alsohave other attributes that are applicable to many otherprofessions. Numeracy, literacy, data handling,communication, computing and research skills will standyou in good stead whatever career you decide to go into.

For graduates who remain in geomatics, indoor and outdooractivities are both essential and you are usually working aspart of a team, developing your skills in communicating withother professionals in related disciplines.

You will be highly proficient in data collection, analysis,management and visualisation, as well as having a soundbasis in mathematics and science principles.

Other graduates may look outside the sector, and considera wide range of careers such as computing, managementconsultancy, finance, teaching or the armed forces.

Our graduates work in a range of organisations, including:

• specialist land, air and offshore mapping companies• central and local government agencies• cartographic publishers• suppliers of computer-based mapping technology and

GIS• utility companies• civil engineering contractors• oil exploration multinationals• geophysical consultants

100% of recent graduates were in work with an averagesalary of over £26,000. Employers include IBM, NetworkMapping and Fujitsu.(Destinations of Leavers from HigherEducation 2014–15, based on 10 respondents).

Find out more about the career options for graduates fromProspects: The UK's Official Careers Website.

What our graduates go on to do:employment and further studychoicesSee what our recent graduates went on to do and viewgraduate destinations statistics. These statistics are basedon what graduates were doing on a specific date,approximately six months after graduation. Take a look atthe most recent data available for our graduates.

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The destination data is available in varying levels, beginningwith the University and moving through Faculty and Schooldown to individual course reports. This final level may giveyou some useful ideas about possible options after yourcourse or a course you are considering.

Careers and employability atNewcastleNewcastle University consistently has one of the bestrecords for graduate employment in the UK.

96% of our 2017 UK-domiciled UG/PG graduatesprogressed to employment or further study within sixmonths of graduating.

85.5% of our graduates are in graduate level employment orfurther study within six months of graduating.

We provide an extensive range of opportunities to allstudents through an initiative called ncl+. This enables youto develop personal, employability and enterprise skills andto give you the edge in the employment market after yougraduate.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest andbest in the country, and we have strong links withemployers.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees (UK students)

2020 entry:£9,250For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for UKstudents is set by the UK government.As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

2020 entry:£9,250 You will pay the same tuition fees as UK studentsfor the duration of your course.

Tuition Fees (EU students)

For programmes where you can spend a year on a workplacement or studying abroad, you will receive asignificant fee reduction for that year.Some of our degrees involve additional costs which arenot covered by your tuition fees.Please note:As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee toincrease in each subsequent academic year of yourcourse, subject to government regulations on feeincreases and in line with inflation.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Tuition Fees (International students)

2020 entry*:£22,800*Please note:You will be charged tuition fees for each year of yourdegree programme (unless you are on a shorter exchangeprogramme).The tuition fee amount you will pay may increase slightlyyear on year as a result of inflation.If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad aspart of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for thatyear.See more information on all aspects of studentfinance relating to Newcastle University.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UKstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support (EUstudents)

You may be eligible for one of a range of NewcastleUniversity Scholarships in addition to government financialsupport.Newcastle University ScholarshipsGovernment financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

We offer a range of scholarships to eligible internationalstudents:Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships

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Scholarships and Financial Support(International students)

Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence ScholarshipsVice-Chancellor’s Global ScholarshipsWe also offer International Family Discounts which areavailable for all international students with a close familymember who has graduated from or is now studying atNewcastle University.Newcastle University offers Sanctuary Scholarships foreligible undergraduate students (excludes MBBS andBDS students) from asylum-seeker and refugeebackgrounds. Some of our subject scholarships and sportsscholarships are also available for international students.

Apply

Applying to Newcastle Universitythrough UCASTo apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle you mustuse the online application system managed by theUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

UCAS codes for Newcastle University

• institution name - NEWC• institution code - N21

UCAS buzzwordAsk your teacher or adviser from your school or college forthe UCAS buzzword. You need the buzzword when youregister on the Apply system. This makes it clear whichschool or college you are applying from.

All UK schools and colleges and a small number of EU andinternational establishments are registered with UCAS.

If you are applying independently, or are applying from aschool or college which is not registered to manageapplications, you will still use the Apply system. You will notneed a buzzword.

Making your applicationOn the UCAS website you can also find out more about:

• application deadlines and other important dates• offers and tracking your application

Application decisions and enquiriesFind out more about our admissions process and who tocontact if you need help with your application.