Development of a new MSc in Geospatial Engineering

To meet the changing needs of the Spatial Information Sciences industry and cognisant of the declining numbers of undergraduate students in Geomatics, the Spatial Information Sciences Group at the Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland, has recently developed a new conversion Masters (MSc) programme in Geospatial Engineering. Conversion Masters programmes facilitate the horizontal movement of graduates with a cognate degree into Geomatics domains and thus cater to a wide audience. The aim of the MSc in Geospatial Engineering is to prepare innovative graduates to work with high competence, using specialised skills and deep knowledge, as producers, managers and users of geospatial information, at the forefront of developments. The conceptual and technical complexity of the MSc in Geospatial Engineering were primarily aligned with the new developments in measurement science technologies including modules in point cloud data acquisition, manipulation and modelling, whilst also encompassing some fundamental building blocks of Geomatics education. The MSc in Geospatial Engineering programme was accredited by the Dublin Institute of Technology in May of 2013 and in September 2013, the first intake of students were inducted. It is offered in both full-time and part-time modes to graduates and professionals, in addition, individuals with particular up-skilling requirements can avail of discrete modules. The provision of this new MSc programme in Geospatial Engineering should help to address an identified educational deficiency in the Spatial Information Sciences both in Ireland and internationally.