Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (PGCertAppSc) - Geographic Information Systems

Summary

The Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science (PGCertAppSc) allows students to begin postgraduate study with a 60 point qualification from which they can later proceed to a Postgraduate Diploma or Master's degree.

This option allows students to maintain employment while gaining qualifications.

Why study Geographic Information Systems?

GIS are fundamental to urban and regional planning, wildlife management, using business intelligence in commerce, tourism, public health, traffic management, and a host of other applications. It is a multi-billion dollar worldwide industry, with opportunities almost anywhere in the global economy.

It is an area of study that is truly cross-disciplinary. GIS combines academic rigour with practical application. Accurate, complete and up-to-date spatial information is an immensely valuable resource for businesses and governments.

You will gain a thorough understanding of spatial data, analysis, and visualisation, and be able to apply GIS techniques.

You'll also learn about mobile GIS and web mapping as well as remote sensing (including from drones) and GNSS (GPS positioning.

You will learn skills in project management, cartographic representation, database design, and basic computer programming.

Career opportunities

There are diverse opportunities for GIS graduates throughout New Zealand and worldwide. You'll gain the specialist skills needed to work as a GIS or Remote Sensing operator, analyst or manager.

You may end up employed by a large corporation, working in local, regional or the national government, or equally, you could work for a consultancy firm. This kind of work tends to have plenty of variety, and opportunities for travel.

You might be identifying the geographical distribution of endangered plant, animal or bird species. You could work for a regional council, analysing the risk of landslips or flood mitigation; or advising on planning issues. You will also be in an excellent position to launch your own business after you have gained some experience in the spatial information industry.

Structure of the Programme

The programme of study

a. shall consist of approved 400- and 500-level papers, to the value of 60 points, selected from the papers specified in Science Schedule D for the Master of Applied Science subject concerned.

b. shall normally include papers from more than one subject and at least one of the approved 400-level papers that shall be amongst the first papers taken in the programme of study.

c. may, with the approval of the Head of Department or Course Director concerned, include papers worth up to 20 points from 400-and 500-level papers other than those specified in Science Schedule D.

Duration of the Programme

A candidate for the certificate shall normally follow a programme of study for one semester of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.