Faculty of Social and Life Sciences Programme Study Plan Geographic Information Systems Programme Code: Programme Title: TGLIT Engineering: Surveying Technology and Geographical IT Credits: 180 Programme Approval: Language of Instruction: Degree Level: Degree Type: Prerequisites: The Programme Study Plan was approved by the Faculty Board for Social and Life Sciences on 12 December 2012 (Reg.no FAK3 2012/43), and effective from the autumn semester of 2012 at Karlstad University. Swedish Bachelor General and Professional General admission requirements, plus either - field-specific eligibility A8 (Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Mathematics 3c) with Physics 1 instead of 2, or - field-specific eligibility 8 (Physics B, Chemistry A, Mathematics D) with Physics A instead of B. General Information The programme prepares for professional work in the area of digital geospatial information with a focus on surveying technology and geographical IT. Examples of work areas for graduates are: - geographic data collection and database administration - development and adaptation of software applications in GIT - land surveying and geodetic measurement techniques
- physical planning and environmental and natural resource inventory in municipal technological administrations and services. GIS engineers have different job positions: graduates can work as GIS or GIT engineers, GIS specialists, land surveying engineers, consultants, application developers, GIS coordinators or cartography and measurement engineers. Students will be qualified to work in consulting firms, construction companies, energy companies, municipalities, county council administrations and other government authorities. Graduates are attractive on the international job market. The programme Surveying Technology and Geographical IT at Karlstad University offers the choice of three specializations: - application development - land-use planning - geomatics The specialization area of application development includes studies of graphic interface, web development, program development and design, among other things. The land-use planning specialization includes human geography based perspectives on planning. The geomatics specialization includes studies in geodetic measuring techniques, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and geographical analyses. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering on completion of 180. Students can then choose to continue towards a Master s degree. Aims and Learning Outcomes For a degree in engineering to be awarded, students should demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to work as engineers. In addition to their technological knowledge and competence, GIS engineers are expected to be familiar with the application of GIT in all relevant areas, including physical planning, environmental surveillance, construction, land surveying, transport planning, and the setting up of basic geographic databases. Undergraduate education should develop the student s ability: to make independent and itical judgements, to identify, formulate and solve problems independently, and to deal with changes at work. In addition to the knowledge and skills required within the specific field of study, the students should develop the ability: to gather and interpret research information and data, to follow the developments in the field, and to communicate field-related information to non-specialists. (Chapter 1, 8 of the Higher Education Act, SFS 1992:1434.) Objectives of the Degree in GIS Engineering (Higher Education Ordinance, SFS 1993:100)
Knowledge and understanding To earn a degree in GIS engineering, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main subject area, including knowledge of the scientific basis of the field, knowledge of pertinent research methods, and basic knowledge of current research and development work, and broad understanding of a chosen area within the field, and relevant knowledge of mathematics and earth sciences. Competence and skills To earn a degree in GIS engineering, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and eatively in identifying, formulating and answering various field-related questions and issues, and the ability to analyse and evaluate various technological solutions, the ability to plan and carry out tasks and assignments, using adequate methods, within a set deadline, the ability to apply their knowledge systematically and itically and to model, simulate, predict and evaluate events on the basis of relevant information, the ability to model and oversee products, processes and systems of various kinds, taking into account human and societal needs and requirements in striving to achieve economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable development, the ability to work in teams together with different kinds of people, and the ability to communicate and interact with various groups in presenting and discussing information, problems and solutions in oral and in written form. Judgement and approach To earn a degree in GIS engineering, students should be able to demonstrate the ability to make appropriate judgements within the specific field of study with respect to relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects, an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of technology, its role in society and our responsibility for the way in which it is used, including social, economic, and environmental aspects, and the ability to identify their own need for further knowledge and training. Degree project For a degree in GIS engineering to be awarded, students should have completed and submitted a degree project comprising at least 15 edits as part of the degree requirements. Upon completion of the Engineering: Surveying Technology and Geographical IT Programme at Karlstad University, students should also be able to demonstrate the ability to set up, maintain and adapt geographical information systems, the ability to plan and carry out GIS projects in the industry and in the public sector, the ability to make use of existing infrastructure in society in collecting geographic information, the ability to use geographical databases the ability to give an account of different standards for modelling, storing and transferring geographic data and the ability to discuss data quality, the ability to use modern geodetic instruments and software for data collection, the ability to contribute to and carry out projects, the ability to analyse geodetic data,
the ability to eate, structure and maintain geographic databases according to topological principles, the ability to implement relevant theories on set-ups, adaptation and use of the reference systems that are used in Sweden, the ability to follow relevant property laws in their future professional roles. Programme Structure Students take a number of introductory core courses in their first year on the programme. In the second year and third year, students take advanced and practical courses related to their chosen specialization area. Students also take a number of elective courses in other subjects, such as information science, project management, rhetoric, modern languages or entrepreneurship. Elective courses can be taken at other universities and institutions in Sweden or abroad. Students gradually progress towards more advanced courses as they broaden and deepen their knowledge throughout the programme. The examination formats vary and include oral and written examinations, assignments and oral presentations. For a degree in GIS engineering to be awarded, students must carry out a degree project, preferably in collaboration with the industry, public authorities, or other agencies and organisations. Students regularly come into contact with various work places through participating in study visits, conferences, and guest lectures. Students in their third year are encouraged to cultivate these contacts further by taking a practical placement course. The forms of instruction vary. The programme integrates theoretical and practical components to give students the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. Students thereby learn to take responsibility for their own learning process, their ability to work in groups, and their ability to search for and acquire knowledge and information. An important aim is for the students to develop the ability to present their ideas in both written and oral form to various target groups. Students practise and refine these skills throughout the duration of the programme. Programme curriculum The programme includes 120 of joint and basic engineering course work with an emphasis on GIT (82.5 in the major subject and 37.5 in supporting courses). The second and third year provide advanced and application courses in the following areas (depending on specialization): geodesy, geographical IT, land-use planning and computer science/information systems. In the third year students can also choose practical placement. Application development The specialization includes computer science dealing with the structure and function of the computer and the hardware and software interface. The programming of graphical interface in regard to technical, aesthetical, social and international perspectives on interface is treated as are the steps of program development (i.e., analysis, design, implementation, testing and maintenance). A recommended course deals with the development of web based applications in a three-dimensional architecture consisting of multiple clients and a server.
Land-use planning This specialization offers perspectives on the idea history of land-use planning with a focus on concepts, theories and methods drawn from human geography. Also treated are the importance of spatial processes to the understanding of planning in different cultures, the differences between the urban and the rural and the basic conditions for planning in terms of demography, mobility, making a living, as well as the relation between family and work. Different areas in planning are covered such as land-use, sustainable development and physical planning. A GIS project is included. Geomatics The specialization includes courses in GIS/GIT and geodetic measuring techniques. Also included are basic theories on the function of GNSS (i.e., GPS) and practical surveying in the field. It also includes instrument handling and different measuring methods for distance and height. Coordinate transformations in two and three dimensions and how to combine geographical data from various reference systems are dealt with. A geodesy project is included. The programme includes the following courses categorized as joint courses and specialization courses: Joint courses Credits Level of Progression Introductory Course 7.5 A Mathematics 15 A Programming Techniques 7.5 A Database Techniques 7.5 B Geodesy 7.5 A Basic Property Law 7.5 A GIS I 7.5 A Cartography 7.5 A Physical Geography 7.5 A GIS II 7.5 B GIS Data Input 7.5 B GIS Raster 7.5 B Remote Sensing and Digital Photogrammetry 7.5 A Degree Project 15 C Specialization courses Application development Program Development and Design 7.5 A Graphical User Interface 7.5 A Operative Systems 7.5 B Computer Systems Technology 7.5 B Computer Structures and Algorithms 7.5 B GIS Analysis 7.5 C
Electives 15 (e.g. Practical Placement 7.5, Web Development 7.5, Field Study 7.5 ) Land-Use Planning Community Planning 30 A/B GIT Project 7.5 B Methods 7.5 B GNSS 7.5 B Electives 22.5 (e.g. Practical Placement 7.5, Applied Geodesy 7.5, Field Study 7.5 ECTS ) Geomatics GIT Project 7.5 B Methods 7.5 B GNSS 7.5 B Geodesy for GIS 7.5 C GIS Analysis 7.5 C Electives (e.g. Practical Placement 7.5, Applied Geodesy 7.5, Field Study 7.5 ECTS ) Degree Awarded Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Major in Surveying Technology and Geographical IT Transfer of Credits Students have the right to transfer edits from other universities in Sweden or abroad. The recognition of previous education as edit for part of a course is subject to approval by the examiner. The recognition of previous education as edit for an entire course is subject to approval by the Office for Student Services. Credits are evaluated for transferability based on the equivalency of the curriculum and the syllabuses of the course in question. Additional Information Duration The duration of the study programme is indicated by the number of edits it yields as a fulltime study programme; 40 weeks is equivalent to 60 edits. (Chapter 6, 2 of The Higher Education Ordinance, SFS 1993:100). Moving Up In order to move up to the next level, students on the programme must have completed at least 75 percent of the total number of edits taken no later than the start of the academic year. Resit examinations are offered at the start of the academic year for students wishing to move up. In order to be admitted on the Degree Project course, students must have completed at least 75 percent of the total number of edits of all previous courses. Local Regulations
Local regulations at Karlstad University stipulate the rights and obligations of staff and students. Overview Engineering Programme: Surveying Technology and Geographical IT Required course Semester 1 Semester 2 Introductory Course 7.5 Programming Techniques 7.5 ECTS Mathematics I 7.5 ECTS Grundläggande fastighetsjuridik 7.5 Mathemati cs II 7.5 Geografiska informations -system I, 7.5 Geodesy7.5 Database Techniques 7.5 GIS: specialisation application development Semester 3 Semester 4 Kartografi 7.5 Fjärranalys och digital fotogrammetri 7.5 Geografiska informationssystem II, 7.5 GIS Indata 7.5 ECTS Programutveckling och design 7.5 Naturgeografi Berg, luft och hav 7.5 Grafiska användargränssnitt, 7.5 GIS raster 7.5 GIS: specialisation (regional samhällsbyggnad) och inriktning geomatik Semester 3 Semester 4 Kartografi 7.5 Geografiska informations system II 7.5 Fjärranalys och digital fotogrammetri 7.5 GIS Indata 7.5 ECTS Ny kurs, projektarbete inom GIT 7,5hp Naturgeografi: Berg, luft och hav 7.5 ECTS GIS raster 7.5 Metodkurs 7.5 GIS med inriktning mot applikationsutveckling Semester 5 Semester 6 Operative 7.5 Datastrukturer och 7.5 Datorsystemteknik 7.5 Elective course 7.5 Elective course 7.5 GIS analysis 7.5 Degree project 15 ECTS GIS med inriktning samhällsplanering (regional samhällsbyggnad) Semester 5 Semester 6 Introduktionskurs till samhällsplanering 7.5 Samhällsplanering I 7.5 ECTS Elective courses 15 Samhällsplanering II - 15hp Degree project 15 ECTS GIS: specialisation geomatics Semester 5 Semester 6 Elective course 7.5 GNSS 7.5 Elective courses 15 Geodesy for GIS, 7.5 ECTS GIS analysis 7.5 Degree project 15 ECTS Recommended electives: Web development 7.5, Field Study 7.5, Geodesy for GIS, 7.5 ECTS, Practical placement 7.5,, Applied programmig,applied Geodesi 7.5