Master of Geospatial Science
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$30,720 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
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Entry score
6.5 IELTS
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Duration
Full-time 2 years
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Location
Melbourne city campus
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Fees
AU$31,680 (2018 annual)
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Next intake
February, July
Program brochure
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Overview
We prepare you for leadership roles in geospatial science, building your understanding of spatial analytics and big spatial data for making critical decisions about our built and natural environment.
Geospatial scientists are experts in using spatial analytics to make sense of big spatial data captured from the latest sensor technologies.
A Master of Geospatial Science will equip you with the advanced skills required for leadership roles in government, industry, and research.
Gain the professional-level expertise in the analysis, management, capturing and visualisation of spatial information, and become proficient in the latest technologies and infrastructures to support these skills.
With a history of more than 50 years in geospatial science at RMIT, the program is delivered by a team of world-leading academics in the field.
With unparalleled industry connections, the program provides rigorous scientific training in geospatial science and is grounded in the technical and practical knowledge required for the workplace.
Through the program you will develop a unique breadth of expertise across geospatial science, including:
- knowledge of fundamental spatial information technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS), spatial databases, and cloud and mobile geospatial computing.
- advanced skills in mapping and visualisation for creating engaging and interactive geospatial presentations.
- knowledge of the latest spatial data capture systems, including satellite remote sensing, GPS satellite positioning, drone and aerial imagery, wearable sensors, sensor networks, and crowdsourced data.
- specialised knowledge in key areas that complement geospatial science, and tailored to your specific needs, which may include environmental science, natural resource management, computer science, business and project management, architecture and urban planning, mathematics or statistics.
With a Master in Geospatial Science, you’ll be equipped to meet the growing national and international demand for expertise in spatial analytics, spatial data management, cartography, positioning, and remote sensing.
Details
Geospatial science is a highly practical discipline and this underpins the learning environment in the program.
The primary modes of delivery are face-to-face lectures, tutorials and extensive practical activities.
All courses use online learning materials to support the teaching and learning program.
Students have the opportunity to engage in field excursions, camps and other off-site activities.
RMIT has extensive links with industry across all aspects of spatial sciences, including remote sensing, geographic information systems, geovisualisation, photogrammetry, surveying, cartography, and land administration and land management.
The program has strong links across industry with many opportunities for you to participate in industry-related teaching and learning activities such as field and project work.
As part of the program you can conduct research by liaising with industry to define/create a problem; undertake an analysis and create a report; and finally present your research and receive feedback from industry partners.
The program enjoys an excellent reputation and is widely recognised by industry employers as producing graduates who are well informed, motivated, adaptable and industry-ready.
Professor Allison Kealy is the program coordinator.
Professor Simon Jones (professor of Remote Sensing) is internationally renowned for his research in remote sensing, land cover, and change mapping.
Professor Matt Duckham (discipline leader of Geospatial Science) has taught GIS on five continents, and is a co-author of a major textbook on GIS (GIS: A Computing Perspective).
Dr Karin Reinke (senior lecturer) is an expert in resource management and environmental monitoring, particularly with applications to wildfire management.
Dr Gang-Jun Liu (senior lecturer) is an expert in GIS, in particular in the industry-standard ESRI ArcGIS platform.
Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith is a research leader in geography and GIS, with particular expertise in the areas of tourism and cultural heritage.
The Master of Geospatial Science consists of 192 credit points. After completing 96 credit points of study approved by the program manager, you may exit with a graduate diploma.
Year one consists of seven core courses where you will gain a breadth of knowledge in the fundamental courses and can choose one elective geospatial course.
Year two consists of a dissertation which will be developed in conjunction with an internal academic supervision and may be pure research, vocationally oriented or a combination of both.
You will also study a further two geospatial electives and two broader electives to match your specific interests.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Geospatial Science | City Campus |
2 years Full-Time
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2 years Full-Time
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MC265 | 092796G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC265
Career
Graduates are well equipped to take on advanced roles within the spatial sciences in an industry, government or research context.
The skills are in high demand both nationally and internationally across a wide range of industries and the government sector including:
- environment and natural resources, such as environmental impact assessments, environmental monitoring, and agriculture and forestry
- land development, such as land use planning, geodesign, spatial data infrastructures, and sustainable development
- mining and exploration, including mineral exploration and environmental engineering
- facilities management and construction, including site selection, insurance and logistics
- transportation and utilities, such as water demand modelling, transport planning, mapping and navigation, and intelligent transportation
- governance and policy, including urban planning, e-government and community mapping
- emergency and disaster management, such as bushfire mapping, flood awareness, biosecurity, evacuation and emergency response
- data analytics and ICT, including mobile and wearable computing, web-mapping, cloud computing and interactive visualisation.
Graduates are eligible for admission to the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute of Australia (SSSI).
Graduates may also be eligible for membership of the Mapping Sciences Institute of Australia (MSIA).
The program is also currently applying for accreditation with the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Admissions
- An Australian bachelor degree, or equivalent
OR - At least 10 years of relevant work experience in geospatial science, geomatics, land information, surveying, geography, environmental science, geology, earth science, environmental engineering or a relevant discipline
International qualifications are assessed according to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).
You may also be considered if you have a minimum of 10 years of work experience in geospatial science, geomatics, land information, surveying, geography, environmental science, geology, earth science, environmental engineering or a relevant discipline.
Entry requirements
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Fees shown above apply to 2018 only and are based on an annual full-time study load of 96 credit points unless otherwise noted. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load. Tuition fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
For more information and to learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees see postgraduate study fees.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or the Department of Human Services for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2018 is $298.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2018 is AU$31,680.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$65,280.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.