School of Geosciences
Find out more about data science related programmes offered by the School of Geosciences
MSc in Geographical Information Science
Edinburgh has a well-established reputation in Geographical Information Science (GIS) and has been offering an MSc programme in GIS since 1985. This programme examines the storage, manipulation and visualisation of geospatial data, unique in its variety of data structures and breadth of application. Traditional approaches based on maps and coordinate systems have been augmented by techniques such as spatial analysis in two, three and four dimensions, network modelling, routing, database management, data mining, web-mapping and app development, involving large volumes of data coming from diverse sources such as satellites, smartphones, electronic point of sale, web services and lidar ground survey. The programme involves field-work and includes the potential for work-based dissertations.
Careers in this rapidly-growing, multi-billion-dollar sector extend from software engineering through information management, to applications as diverse as building management, citizen science, environmental protection, flooding, land ownership, natural hazards, oil and gas, urban planning, refugee management, security and policing, telecommunications, and vehicle and personal navigation.
MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management
The MSc in Earth Observation & Geoinformation Management brings together skills in remote sensing with spatial data handling and GIS within the School of GeoSciences in Edinburgh. Remote sensing involves the collection of immense volumes of data using sensors carried by satellites, aeroplanes, UAVs (drones) and ground-based systems. The programme examines platforms, sensors, image processing, data management, spatial analysis and visualisation. It involves field-work and leads to employment in the rapidly-growing geospatial and earth observation sectors. Applications include archaeology, climate-change research, disaster relief, ecosystem services, environmental monitoring and management, forestry, marine science, mineral prospecting and precision agriculture.