Geoinformatics and Geographical Information Science (GIS) are vital components of cutting-edge technological advancement and research activities in geography, planning, surveying and regional sciences. Geospatial information is now a driving force for: decision making, for creating innovative solutions; and for enhancing effective implementation of projects in rural postal services, electrification planning, population estimation and mapping, health, urban planning, environmental management, precision farming, transportation planning, water resources management, crime and security assessment, mineral resources mining, oil and gas discovery, exploration and monitoring, hazards and disasters mitigation planning and management, etc. Global positioning system devices and remote sensing satellites and technologies with specialized software are some of the driving tools for geo-spatial data availability and its usefulness.

NigeriaSat2 image of Abuja

The Lake Chad over the years

Africa imaged with NigeriaSat-1

The Geoinformatic program at ISSE involves teaching, research and hands-on training on the use and appreciation of different tools for different tasks performed from theory to practice. The MSc and PhD programs are research based, covering areas such as GIS tools development for capturing, collecting, cataloguing; geospatial data processing and analysing; and various applications. The program is largely supported by the satellite resources of NASRDA and its vast laboratories and expertise in GIS and remote sensing while benefitting from the world class global facility at AUST.The program currently offers MSc and PhD programs using state of the art facilities at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and renowned faculty from African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja. The degrees are supervised and awarded by the African University of Science and Technology and therefore the programs conform to the highest standards set by the university.

To apply for the MSc Geoinformatics program at ISSE, the candidate must have an undergraduate degree in relevant fields such as urban and regional planning, surveying, geography, environmental sciences, computer science and geology. The CGPA for the BSc degree must be with a second class upper (minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale and 3.5 on a 5 point scale). The MSc program requires 18 months (12 months of course work and 6 months of research ending up in an acceptable MSc Thesis) and is based on a combination of foundation, core and elective courses, plus thesis research. MSc Courses. The MSc program in Geoinformatics requires 18 months and is based on a combination of foundation, core and elective courses, plus thesis research. The courses include: Introduction to Space Science, Engineering and the Society; Numerical Methods in Sciences & Engineering; Methods of Applied Mathematics IB; Numerical Methods in Sciences & Engineering; Research Methodology and Communication; Geo-informatics; Geo-statistics; Remote Sensing Applications; Security and defense GIS Applications; Spatial Data Structures; Land-use/Land-cover Applications; Geometric and Physical Geodesy; Cartographic Techniques; Space-Based Vector Diseases Mapping. Graduation requirements include a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on completion of the course work.

Admission requirements for the PhD program in Geoinformatics and GIS include the same requirements for the MSc program plus an MSc in the relevant field with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4 point scale or 4 on a 5 point scale. The PhD program requires a minimum of 3 years made up of one year course work and two years of research. Doctoral students are meant to take 4 advanced courses prior to their qualifiers. Students admitted on a provisional basis (without an AUST M.Sc. degree) will be required to take 18 Credit Units of coursework (M.Sc. + PhD) prior to qualifiers, while maintaining CGPA of 3.25 at the end of all courses.

The course work includes a minimum of 4 advanced courses at the PhD level plus some MSc courses depending on the student’s background. Courses include: Remote Sensing and GIS Applications; Advanced Land-use/Land-cover and Implementation; Research Methodology and Communication; Advances in Geomatics; Advances in Geo-statistics; Advances in Cartographic Techniques; Advances in Spatial Data Structures’ Advances in Geometric & Physical Geodesy. Graduation requirement include a minimum CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale (3.5 on a 5 point scale). Graduation requirement include a CGPA of 3.0 on a 4 point scale (3.5 on a 5 point scale) plus two papers published from the thesis in at least a SCOPUS indexed journal prescribed by the University.

The programme is very intensive and only well-motivated and prepared students are encouraged to apply. The courses are taught as 3- or 4-week modules of 45 to 60 hours, including lectures and problem solving sessions. Details of the course outline are in the handbook. The Problem Based Learning (PBL) and Outcome Based Education (OBE) approaches are used in teaching.

For more details on course description, fees, faculty and research areas, visit:

www.isse.edu.ng and www.aust.edu.ng