Since the early 1970s, Geographical Information Science (GIS or GIS Technology), Remote Sensing and Global Position Systems (GPS) have proven to be powerful tools for scientific investigations, management of resources and informed decision making. The advancements in space, computing, communication and instrumentation technologies as well as increased access to data provided by Earth Observation (EO) systems such as Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) have been the main catalysts for the development of GIS technology. As a result, a number of applications based on GIS, SRS and GPS technologies have emerged.Some of these applications include: Engineering, Public utilities (roads, railways, water supply, telecommunication etc.), Agriculture, Forestry, Surveying, Health, Mining and Meteorology. The gist for GIS applications is that of geospatial analysis. GIS technology offers users with the most efficient ways for data acquisition, storage, retrieval, manipulations, analysis and dissemination of location based or geographically referenced data.
The Programme objectives are to ensure that by the end of the programme, students are able to:
- Design Geographical Information Systems databases using industry standard design tools.
- Manage spatial data entry and update of spatial databases as well as articulating spatial data integration issues such as data semantics and interoperability.
- Carry out spatial analysis to support decision making for a range of GIS application areas using industry standard software and tools.
- Articulate the theory of Geo-information science, its relevance for spatial research, current trends and emerging issues.
Target Group
As mentioned in Section 2 above, the demand for GIS professionals is increasing in Uganda. GIS professionals are required in all government departments, NGOs and the private sector. This programme targets people who need to do research at graduate level in order to advance GIS as a technology. In addition, it targets professionals who need to acquire skills so as to implement GIS in their organizations. Many studies (see Section 1) have indicated that this target audience is growing day by day. The list includes: Surveyors, Engineers, Physical Planners, Application Developers, Health Care Planners/Implementers, Natural Resource Managers, Emergency Workers, Defence (Armed) Forces-Engineers Brigade, Economic Planners, Conservationists and so on.
Curriculum
Programme Courses for Plan A
