Conjoint: BGlobalSt/BSc major in Geographic Information Science

Skip to Main Content

If you’ve ever dropped a pin into Google maps, or found the shortest route using the public transport network, then you’ve engaged with Geographic Information Science (GIScience). New in 2019, this subject is the study of the data structures and techniques used to capture, process and visualise geographic information.

It is estimated that 80% of data collected has some spatial component, whether it’s a city name, a street address or even a precise set of co-ordinates. We’ll teach you how to use data collected by satellites and drones, government-sourced data, and social media platforms to examine a wide range of social and natural processes.

You can study Geographic Information Science (GIScience) as a major in the Bachelor of Science.
As a GIScience student you’ll be taught how to use data collected by satellites and drones, government-sourced data, and social media platforms to examine a wide range of social and natural processes. You’ll use modelling techniques to analyse data intensive contexts, and you’ll try to answer questions such as:
- What is the relationship between urban inequality and disease?
- What are the effects of sea level rise on coastal areas?
- How do resources flow across a busy public transportation system?

As part of your major you’ll complete the GIScience capstone course, GISCI 399, where you’ll use your skills to design and carry out an independent research project.

Graduates of Geographic Information Science will be well equipped to enter the workforce or pursue postgraduate study. They’ll have sound theoretical knowledge and be able to demonstrate independent technical abilities across the social, ecological and physical domains of GIScience application.

As a GIScience graduate you’ll possess sound theoretical knowledge and demonstrate independent technical proficiency across the social, ecological and physical domains of GIScience application. You’ll be well prepared to enter the workforce in both public and private sectors, or pursue postgraduate study.

Jobs related to GIScience
- Analyst
- Cartographer
- Climate scientist
- Conservationist
- Geographer
- Geospatial database developer
- Mapping and surveying technician
- Programmer
- Surveyor

Complete 135 points comprising:

15 points for all Stage I Compulsory Course , and
15 points from Group 1 Stage I Elective Courses, and
15 points from Group 2 Stage I Elective Courses, and
30 points for all Stage II Compulsory Courses, and
15 points from Stage II Elective Courses, and
30 points from Group 1 Stage III Elective Courses, and
15 points from Group 2 Stage III Elective Courses

Stage I Compulsory Course

Complete 15 points for ALL of the following:

ENV 103 - Digital Earth (15 points)

Group 1 Stage I Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

ENV 100 - Shaping Planet Earth (15 points)

ENV 101 - Environmental Challenges (15 points)

ENV 102 - Social and Environmental Change (15 points)

Group 2 Stage I Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

COMPSCI 130 - Introduction to Software Fundamentals (15 points)

STATS 101 - Introduction to Statistics (15 points)

Stage II Compulsory Courses

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

GISCI 241 - Principles of Remote Sensing (15 points)

GISCI 242 - Principles of GIScience (15 points)

Stage II Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

BIOSCI 220 - Quantitative Biology (15 points)

COMPSCI 230 - Object Oriented Software Development (15 points)

ENVSCI 203 - Modelling Environmental Systems (15 points)

STATS 201 - Data Analysis (15 points)

STATS 220 - Data Technologies (15 points)

URBPLAN 203 - Urban Infrastructure (15 points)

URBPLAN 205 - Urban Infrastructure and Transportation Planning (15 points)

Group 1 Stage III Elective Courses

Complete exactly 30 points from the following:

GEOG 342 - Technology, Power and Social Change (15 points)

GISCI 341 - Remote Sensing of Surface Processes (15 points)

GISCI 343 - GIScience Programming and Development (15 points)

GISCI 344 - Special Topic (15 points)

Group 2 Stage III Elective Courses

Complete exactly 15 points from the following:

COMPSCI 313 - Computer Architecture (15 points)

COMPSCI 315 - Data Communications Technologies (15 points)

COMPSCI 316 - Cyber Security (15 points)

COMPSCI 320 - Applied Algorithmics (15 points)

COMPSCI 331 - Large-Scale Software Development (15 points)

COMPSCI 335 - Web Programming and Distributed Services (15 points)

COMPSCI 340 - Operating Systems (15 points)

COMPSCI 345 - Human-computer Interaction (15 points)

COMPSCI 350 - Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science (15 points)

COMPSCI 351 - Fundamentals of Database Systems (15 points)

COMPSCI 361 - Machine Learning (15 points)

COMPSCI 367 - Artificial Intelligence (15 points)

COMPSCI 369 - Computational Methods in Interdisciplinary Science (15 points)

COMPSCI 373 - Computer Graphics and Image Processing (15 points)

GEOG 342 - Technology, Power and Social Change (15 points)

GISCI 341 - Remote Sensing of Surface Processes (15 points)

GISCI 343 - GIScience Programming and Development (15 points)

GISCI 390 - Directed Study (15 points)

SCIGEN 301 - Engaging in a Knowledge Society (15 points)

STATS 302 - Applied Multivariate Analysis (15 points)

STATS 310 - Introduction to Statistical Inference (15 points)

STATS 313 - Advanced Topics in Probability (15 points)

STATS 320 - Applied Stochastic Modelling (15 points)

STATS 325 - Stochastic Processes (15 points)

STATS 326 - Applied Time Series Analysis (15 points)

STATS 330 - Statistical Modelling (15 points)

STATS 331 - Introduction to Bayesian Statistics (15 points)

STATS 369 - Data Science Practice (15 points)

STATS 370 - Financial Mathematics (15 points)

STATS 380 - Statistical Computing (15 points)

STATS 383 - The Science and Craft of Data Management (15 points)