The M.Sc. Geoinformatics (MSCGI) has been developed by the School of Sciences with the help of several eminent experts across India drawn from ISRO, DRDO, IIT, C-DAC, DST and many government and private institutes/organizations incorporating of NEP 2020 considering recent developments in the field and the need for skilled workforce. The MSCGI programme aims to provide the learners with advance theoretical knowledge and practical skills so that the learners can leverage potential of geoinformatics towards understanding natural processes, and management of natural resources, disasters, ecology and environment. It provides opportunity to learners interested in developing skills and willing to apply in their application domain. It has been designed to expose learners to fundamental and advanced theoretical principles, methods, techniques and practical applications involving advances in Remote Sensing and GIS, emerging applications in various fields, research methodology and professional skills in Geoinformatics and also computer programming for digital image processing and GIS.
Geoinformatics technologies deal with acquisition, storage, processing and dissemination of geospatial information. Geoinformatics is an emerging field and demand for geoinformatics professionals is increasing by the day due to its application potential in several fields such as environmental monitoring and management, terrain mapping and analysis, natural resources management, natural hazards and disaster management, urban and rural planning, traffic and transport, solid waste management, site selection, business applications, geospatial education, etc. Availability of geospatial information is a must for planning of infrastructure development, social development, natural calamities, agriculture, power, water, transportation, communication, insurance, and health. Further, recent developments such as inclusion of the subject in NET and GATE; Govt. initiatives e.g. Smart cities, SWAMITVA, AMRUT, etc. and in sectors particularly transport, logistics, supply chain management; policy changes like de-regulating geospatial data, opening of the space sector, and liberalised drone policy have tremendously increased its adoption and scope.
This is a continuing education programme offered in distance learning mode.
Programme Highlights
Designed to expose students to fundamental theoretical principles and practical applications involving:
-
Ø Basics and advances in Remote Sensing & GIS
Ø Techniques in Digital Image Processing
Ø Spatial Analysis and Modelling
Ø Emerging Applications in various fields
Ø Research Methodology and Professional Skills in Geoinformatics
Ø Computer programming (R, Python, Google Earth Engine, etc.) for DIP & GIS
Ø Laboratory exercises built upon freely available data and s/w
Ø Project work
Ø Choice of Electives
Objectives of the programme are to:
Ø acquaint the learners with basic and advance understanding of the underlying principles, concepts and techniques of geoinformation science,
Ø provide skills in geospatial data handling, processing and analysis,
Ø impart critical spatial thinking in the learners to analyse problems from a spatial perspective systematically,
Ø prepare the learners to apply the principles and techniques towards finding scientific solution to problems in their application domain and communicate the findings; and
Ø widen opportunities for learners for higher studies and developing career in different sectors of employment involving geoinformatics.
This programme may be helpful for the interested learners to develop skills in this field for higher studies and also to pursue a career in the field.
Target Groups:
Ø Defence and law enforcement personnel
Ø School and college/university teachers either teaching or interested in teaching geoinformation science related courses
Ø Working professionals possessing little or no exposure to geoinformatics but are interested to initiate and develop skills in this field, and
Ø Graduates from various academic backgrounds interested in acquiring basic theoretical understanding and develop practical skills on the aspects of data handling and processing to use the data in application areas of their interests.
Entry/Exit Options:
(i) Learners exiting after successfully completing first semester courses (20 credits) of the programme may opt to receive a Post-Graduate Certificate in Geoinformatics.
(ii) Learners exiting after successfully completing first two semester’s courses (40 credits) of the programme may opt to receive Post-Graduate Diploma in Geoinformatics.
(iii) The existing PG Diploma in Geoinformatics (PGDGI) programme will also be on offer as a stand-alone programme.
(iv) Candidates having PG Diploma in Geoiformatics (PGDGI) from IGNOU or similar qualification from elsewhere may take lateral entry into the second year of the MSCGI programme subject to fulfilling requirements w.r.t. eligibility criteria, credits and contents.
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The 80 credits programme comprises total of twenty courses (sixteen theory courses including electives, three practical courses and a project):
Course Code
|
Title of the Course
|
Type of Course
|
Credits
|
Semester I
|
MGY-101
|
Introduction to Geoinformatics
|
Theory
|
6
|
MGY-102
|
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGY-103
|
Global Navigation Satellite System and Geographic Information System
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGYL-104*
|
Geoinformatics Laboratory
|
Lab
|
6
|
Semester II
|
MGY-005
|
Techniques in Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
|
Theory
|
6
|
MGY-006
|
Spatial Analysis and Modeling
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGY-007
|
Applications of Geoinformatics
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGYL-008*
|
Digital Image Processing and Spatial Analysis Laboratory
|
Lab
|
6
|
Semester III
|
MGY-009
|
Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGY-010
|
Computer Programming for Digital Image Processing and GIS
|
Theory
|
6
|
MGY-011
|
Geo-environmental Applications of Geoinformatics
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGYL-012*
|
Advanced Geoinformatics Laboratory
|
Lab
|
6
|
Semester IV
|
MGYE-021
Or
MGYE-022
|
Emerging Applications of Geoinformatics
Or
Advanced Programming in Geoinformatics
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGY-013
|
Research Methodology and Professional Skills in Geoinformatics
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGY-014
|
Geoinformatics in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies
|
Theory
|
4
|
MGYP-031
Or
Any two courses from the following:
MGYE-041
MGYE-042
MGYE-043
|
Dissertation/ Project Work
Or
Any Two Electives (Theory) of 4 credits each from the following Courses:
Geoinformatics in Urban Development and Planning
Geoinformatics in Disaster Studies
Geoinformatics in Coastal and Marine Studies
|
Project
Or
Theory Theory Theory
|
8
Or
4
4
4
|
Total Credits
|
80
|
Note: *Self-learning materials (SLMs) of Laboratory courses would be available only in digital mode.
Video Programmes
*Development of A/V materials is a continuous process. Please visit Youtube webpage of IGNOU SOS for more videos.
Special Instructions:
- Self learning materials (SLMs) of the Laboratory courses would be available only in digital mode.
- Counselling sessions may be conducted by the concerned Study Centres depending upon availability of counsellors, lab facility, etc.
- Counsellor(s) at the activated Study Centres would help learners to solve academic problem, if any. However, the Counselling sessions would not be lecture sessions.
- The programme encourages use of free and open source software and freely available data so that learners can practice with the software even beyond the scheduled counseling hours at the Study Centres and apply them in their work.
- Since this programme comprises laboratory courses, therefore, before applying for admission in the Programme, candidates should make sure that they will be able to attend the Theory and Practical counselling sessions and Term-end Practical Examination at the concerned Study Centre activated and allotted for the programme.
- Candidates should also make sure that they have access to computers because they will be required to carry out experiments on computers before attending the scheduled practical counseling sessions at their Study Centre and complete the requirements.
- Candidates should also have access to internet to download the software and data as prescribed in the practical course and communicate with the counsellors, coordinators, etc., if required.
*Learners should keep a photocopy of any papers, reports or assignments submitted to the study centre or the University for their Record.
Study Centres:
It may be noted that Study Centres presently activated for the PGCGI programme are expected to be offering the PGDGI programme, which are currently located across several regions i.e. Aizawl (Mizoram), Bhopal (M.P.), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), New Delhi, Durg (Chhattisgarh), Gangtok (Sikkim), Guwahati (Assam), Hisar (Haryana), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Patna (Bihar), Port Blair (Andaman & Nicobar), Pune (Maharashtra), Rampur (U.P.), Srinagar (J&K), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Tikamgarh (M.P.), Varanasi (U.P.) and Warangal (Telangana).
Note: IGNOU will try to make every effort to conduct Laboratory Courses of the programme at the Learner Support Centre chosen by applicants. However, in case of any issue, University may allot a study centre to the enrolled learners at its discretion and the learners may be advised to attend the Laboratory Courses at the Learner Support Centre different than the one chosen by them. Learners should be prepared for such a situation.
Programme Coordinators:
Prof. Benidhar Deshmukh, Discipline of Geology, School of Sciences, bdeshmukh@ignou.ac.in, Ph.011-29571677
AND
Prof. Meenal Mishra, Discipline of Geology, School of Sciences, meenalmishra@ignou.ac.in, Ph.011-29571676 & 011-29572832
A. List of approved Study Centres under a Regional Centre
B. List of Approved Counsellors for the Study Centres under the Regional Centre
C. Schedule of the conduct of Laboratory Courses at the Study Centres under the Regional Centre
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