S6007 Master of Geographical Information Science and Technology

The course is structured in four parts. Part A. Foundation GIS and technology studies, Part B. Advanced GIS and technology studies, Part C. Extended studies and Part D. Advanced practice. 

Part A. Foundation studies

This provides foundation units to allow students, particularly those without any prior knowledge of GIS and technology, to develop an understanding of fundamental principles and methods of GIS and technology.

Part B. Core studies

This contains the core skills of GIS and technology that allow students to translate GIS and technology theory into research and practice. 

Part C. Advanced discipline studies

This provides collections of units grouped in three streams, which allows students to further develop knowledge and skills in one of the following specific areas: advanced GIS and technology, data science, and environment and sustainability.

Part D. Applied practice

This offers students opportunities to conduct a supervised research project or learn professional GIS and technology practice via internships. 

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at Entry level 1 you complete 96 credit points, comprising Parts A, B, C and D.
• If you are admitted at Entry level 2 you complete 72 credit points, comprising Parts B, C and D.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies, you may elect not to receive the credit.

Course progression map

The course progression map provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course is structured in four parts. Part A. Foundation GIS and technology studies, Part B. Advanced GIS and technology studies, Part C. Extended studies and Part D. Advanced practice. Each part is 24 points.

Part A. Foundation studies (24 points)

You must complete:

• EAE4051 Fundamentals of geographical information science 
• EAE4067 Remote sensing 
• FIT9132 Introduction to databases 

and one of the following units:

• EAE2522 Earth Surface Dynamics 
• FIT9136 Introduction to Python programming

Note: EAE2522 is required for Stream 1 of Part C, while FIT9136 is required for Stream 2. 

Part B. Core studies (24 points)

You must complete:

• EAE5051 Spatial databases 
• EAE5052 Spatial data interoperability and integration 
• EAE5053 Advanced spatial analysis and modelling 
• EAE5054 Research methods and project management

Part C. Advanced discipline studies (24 points)

You must complete 24 credit points from one or more disciplines listed below

Advanced GIS and technology

You must complete the following units:

• EAE5040 Earth Science Coursework A (12 points)
• EAE5068 Spatial Data Analysis
• EAE5258 Geographical information systems (GIS) for environmental science

Data Science for GIS and technology

You must complete four of the following units:

• FIT5145 Foundations of data science
• EAE5068 Spatial data analysis 
• FIT5147 Data exploration and visualisation 
• FIT5196 Data Wrangling
• FIT5237 Responsible digitalisation

Environmental and sustainability

You must complete:

• EAE5258 Geographical information systems (GIS) for environmental science 

and any three of the following units:

• APG5426 Environmental analysis 
• APG5553 Field studies in sustainable development (not offered in 2026)
• APG5627 Power, politics and development in a changing environment (not offered in 2026)
• ENS5320 Climate change risk, resilience and security
• ENS5330 Water security and environmental pollution 
• ENS5340 Transforming cities for sustainability

Part D. Applied practice (24 points)

You will complete either the Research pathway or the Professional practice pathway

Research pathway

You must complete:

• EAE5015 Research thesis in GIS and technology Part A (12 points)
• EAE5016 Research thesis in GIS and technology Part B (12 points)

Professional practice pathway

You must complete:

• EAE5017 GIS and technology internship (12 points)

and 

• EAE5018 Professional practice in GIS and technology (12 points) or
• 12 points from units listed under Part C (and not already undertaken)