Who is the advanced GIS student in Geography? - Fp Ucalgary
Who is the advanced GIS student in Geography? - Fp Ucalgary
Who is the advanced GIS student in Geography? - Fp Ucalgary
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<strong>Who</strong> <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>advanced</strong> <strong>GIS</strong> <strong>student</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Geography</strong><br />
Demographics, program trajectories, and<br />
outcomes of <strong>the</strong> University of Calgary Masters<br />
of Geographic Information Systems/Science<br />
(M<strong>GIS</strong>) Program<br />
Mryka Hall-Beyer, PhD<br />
Associate Professor,<br />
Department of <strong>Geography</strong><br />
University of Calgary<br />
mhallbey@ucalagry.ca<br />
1999-2005.<br />
http://www.ucalgary.ca/mg<strong>is</strong><br />
Lynn Moorman, MSc<br />
Program Manager, M<strong>GIS</strong> Program<br />
Department of <strong>Geography</strong><br />
University of Calgary<br />
lmoorman@ucalgary.ca<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
What I’m go<strong>in</strong>g to say<br />
• M<strong>GIS</strong>, an Innovative program: what was<br />
set up<br />
• <strong>Who</strong> are our <strong>student</strong>s and how have <strong>the</strong>y<br />
changed<br />
•Outcomes<br />
• Adjustments<br />
• Ongo<strong>in</strong>g changes: look<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> future<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
What was set up and why<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Respond<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> Market<br />
• GEOTECH: a major jobs driver<br />
• Calgary area city and <strong>in</strong>dustry are major users of<br />
geographical data<br />
• U of Calgary <strong>Geography</strong>: concentration of<br />
geospatial expert<strong>is</strong>e<br />
– L<strong>in</strong>ks to programs <strong>in</strong> Geomatics Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
Management Information Systems and Environmental<br />
Design<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Pr<strong>in</strong>ciple: Master’s Level<br />
• Hands-on abilities, with strong <strong>the</strong>ory<br />
– Graduates can adapt and contribute to new<br />
developments<br />
• Core d<strong>is</strong>cipl<strong>in</strong>es: (1 <strong>advanced</strong> course each)<br />
– <strong>GIS</strong><br />
– Remote Sens<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– Spatial Stat<strong>is</strong>tics<br />
• A 2-course <strong>in</strong>dependent project<br />
• Five o<strong>the</strong>r courses adaptable to <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
<strong>student</strong> needs<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
• F<strong>in</strong>al oral exam<strong>in</strong>ation<br />
• Every <strong>student</strong> to have project superv<strong>is</strong>or<br />
• Intended as term<strong>in</strong>al degree but <strong>student</strong>s<br />
might cont<strong>in</strong>ue to PhD on its bas<strong>is</strong><br />
• No <strong>student</strong> fund<strong>in</strong>g planned: able to f<strong>in</strong><strong>is</strong>h<br />
<strong>in</strong> one calendar year<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
“Campus Alberta” concept<br />
• O<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>stitutions had undergraduate<br />
programs <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g extensive core<br />
d<strong>is</strong>cipl<strong>in</strong>e tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Technology programs: Applied Bachelor’s<br />
(3-yr) and Diploma programs<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Need to keep abreast of cutt<strong>in</strong>gedge<br />
developments<br />
• Industry adv<strong>is</strong>ory committee establ<strong>is</strong>hed<br />
• Staff/Faculty participation <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustry group<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Plann<strong>in</strong>g began <strong>in</strong> 1997<br />
• Based on ex<strong>is</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g professorial expert<strong>is</strong>e<br />
– 5 faculty <strong>in</strong> <strong>GIS</strong>-related d<strong>is</strong>cipl<strong>in</strong>es<br />
– Technician, Cartographer, Adm<strong>in</strong><strong>is</strong>trative<br />
– To be supplemented by outside <strong>in</strong>structors<br />
• Based on undergraduate course experience<br />
– Entire senior-level (2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th year) sequence <strong>in</strong> <strong>GIS</strong><br />
and Remote Sens<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– 2-year stat<strong>is</strong>tics and cartography sequences<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
How to start it<br />
• Funded through Alberta Access approved<br />
1998<br />
– Designed and funded for 50 <strong>student</strong>s/year<br />
– Eventual hir<strong>in</strong>g of 5 new faculty positions<br />
– Program Manager position<br />
• If objectives met, permanent after 5 th year<br />
(2004)<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Equipment<br />
• New dedicated 24-seat high-end computer<br />
lab<br />
Adds to ex<strong>is</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g 48 seats of computers<br />
equipped with <strong>GIS</strong>-related software<br />
Campus-wide accessibility and licens<strong>in</strong>g<br />
for basic special<strong>is</strong>ed software<br />
Library-based spatial data management<br />
system<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
• Contribution to Department and University<br />
software, plus additional acqu<strong>is</strong>itions<br />
• Prov<strong>is</strong>ion for 3 to 4-year evergreen<strong>in</strong>g<br />
cycle for hardware<br />
• Fund<strong>in</strong>g for additional dedicated<br />
technician<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
<strong>Who</strong> are <strong>the</strong> <strong>student</strong>s<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
• Four-year Bachelor’s with m<strong>in</strong>imum 3.0<br />
GPA<br />
• Not necessary to have <strong>GIS</strong> background:<br />
keep <strong>the</strong> doors open<br />
• Look<strong>in</strong>g for applications expert<strong>is</strong>e or<br />
experience <strong>in</strong> some area<br />
• Proposal for project or statement of <strong>in</strong>tent<br />
• Competitive adm<strong>is</strong>sions beyond m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
How have <strong>the</strong>y changed<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
• Beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
– Our own undergraduates<br />
– Employees of resource-based companies<br />
– First 2 years, not too competitive<br />
•Now:<br />
– Strong <strong>in</strong>ternational component<br />
– Many enter with <strong>advanced</strong> degrees<br />
– Great variety of applications expert<strong>is</strong>e<br />
– Very competitive adm<strong>is</strong>sions<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Applications and acceptance<br />
• First year: 7 <strong>student</strong>s<br />
• Many <strong>Geography</strong> backgrounds, but also<br />
eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, computer sciences, applications<br />
areas<br />
• Target 50 <strong>student</strong>s/year reached <strong>in</strong> 2003<br />
– Adjusted for completion times<br />
• GPA has not changed, but applicants have more<br />
experience<br />
– Accept ~35 from ~100 applicants yearly<br />
• International <strong>student</strong>s <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– V<strong>is</strong>a tim<strong>in</strong>g and job opportunities a problem<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
Population 40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Total M<strong>GIS</strong> population (fall term count)<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004<br />
Year<br />
Female<br />
Male<br />
Grow<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
stable state<br />
Enrollment Status<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
Population 40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004<br />
Year<br />
Part-time<br />
Full-time<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Enrollment status of males<br />
Population<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
Male part-time<br />
Male full-time<br />
0<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004<br />
Year<br />
Female Enrollment Status<br />
Population<br />
35<br />
30<br />
25<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
0<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004<br />
Year<br />
Female part-time<br />
Female full-time<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
International <strong>student</strong>s<br />
Citizenship Status (Dec. 2004)<br />
Population<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004<br />
Year<br />
International V<strong>is</strong>a<br />
<strong>student</strong>s<br />
Canadian and landed<br />
immigrants<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Where from<br />
•S. Korea 9<br />
• Ch<strong>in</strong>a 8<br />
• India 6<br />
• Mexico 5<br />
• Australia 3<br />
• Colombia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pak<strong>is</strong>tan, Saudi<br />
Arabia, Tanzania, UK, US<br />
• Agreement with Egypt, no <strong>student</strong>s yet<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Outcomes<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
To date<br />
• 70 <strong>student</strong>s have completed <strong>the</strong> M<strong>GIS</strong> degree<br />
• A few employment examples<br />
– College Instructor<br />
– Cantonal environmental special<strong>is</strong>t, Switzerland<br />
– Wetland research, Ducks Unlimited Canada<br />
– Landscape ecolog<strong>is</strong>t, SK Wetland Conservation<br />
Corporation<br />
– <strong>GIS</strong>/RS special<strong>is</strong>t, AB Geological Survey<br />
– Research support at various universities, Canada and<br />
USA<br />
– <strong>GIS</strong>/RS special<strong>is</strong>ts at various consult<strong>in</strong>g companies<br />
– City and regional plann<strong>in</strong>g and support services<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Adjustments<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Some basic th<strong>in</strong>gs we learned -<br />
quickly<br />
• To keep door open to non-experts, we<br />
need to provide upgrad<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– Almost everyone needs upgrad<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> at least<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> core areas<br />
– Initially: special courses appended to<br />
undergraduate <strong>advanced</strong> courses<br />
– After new faculty hired, “basics and beyond”<br />
courses added, br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g <strong>student</strong>s to level of<br />
senior undergraduates<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
More basic th<strong>in</strong>gs we learned<br />
• Superv<strong>is</strong>ion <strong>is</strong> difficult: more time consum<strong>in</strong>g<br />
than for research <strong>student</strong>s<br />
• F<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g projects for th<strong>is</strong> number of <strong>student</strong>s <strong>is</strong><br />
challeng<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– Work<strong>in</strong>g to develop project sequences <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g many<br />
<strong>student</strong>s<br />
– Ass<strong>is</strong>t<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> MSc and PhD programs<br />
• We need to have fund<strong>in</strong>g available for some<br />
<strong>student</strong>s:<br />
– most full-time <strong>student</strong>s take longer than 1 year<br />
because of work commitments<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
The part-time dilemma<br />
• Students currently work<strong>in</strong>g may have<br />
schedul<strong>in</strong>g difficulties<br />
– More alternative schedul<strong>in</strong>g required<br />
• Students may get a job before complet<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong> program<br />
– Makes project completion difficult or less<br />
compell<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– May want to change project at late stage<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Course adjustments<br />
• Ongo<strong>in</strong>g challenge of provid<strong>in</strong>g state-of-<strong>the</strong>-art<br />
optional courses<br />
– High-demand:<br />
• V<strong>is</strong>ual Basic and o<strong>the</strong>r programm<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Dec<strong>is</strong>ion support<br />
• Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Geographics, Enterpr<strong>is</strong>e <strong>GIS</strong> and Database<br />
Management<br />
• Spatial ecology<br />
–4 th year undergraduate level (maximum of 2) and grad<br />
courses from o<strong>the</strong>r Departments as appropriate to<br />
<strong>student</strong><br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
More course <strong>is</strong>sues<br />
• Demand for “basics” courses and some<br />
options courses from non-M<strong>GIS</strong> <strong>student</strong>s<br />
– Graduate <strong>student</strong>s <strong>in</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r programs<br />
– Industry and government employees<br />
– Students want<strong>in</strong>g to upgrade before apply<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to th<strong>is</strong> or ano<strong>the</strong>r program<br />
– Advanced undergraduates (options courses)<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Project adjustments<br />
• Some <strong>student</strong>s arrive with data and a project <strong>in</strong><br />
m<strong>in</strong>d<br />
• Most <strong>student</strong>s need data<br />
– Tim<strong>in</strong>g means that <strong>the</strong>y cannot conduct extensive<br />
field work<br />
– Data shar<strong>in</strong>g agreements are a cont<strong>in</strong>ual <strong>is</strong>sue<br />
• Increas<strong>in</strong>g public data <strong>is</strong> very important<br />
• Require superv<strong>is</strong>or agreement for adm<strong>is</strong>sion<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Employment trends<br />
• Over 6 years, <strong>GIS</strong> expert<strong>is</strong>e has become<br />
<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly assumed <strong>in</strong> many areas<br />
– forensics, regional plann<strong>in</strong>g, oil and gas, environment,<br />
urban, market<strong>in</strong>g, education, transportation and<br />
communication, real estate, reclamation, m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g,<br />
forestry, climate change, arctic <strong>is</strong>sues, tour<strong>is</strong>m,<br />
<strong>in</strong>digenous <strong>GIS</strong> …<br />
• Our <strong>student</strong>s’ <strong>in</strong>terests have broadened along<br />
with th<strong>is</strong><br />
http://www.ucalgary.ca/mg<strong>is</strong>/research/<strong>student</strong>research.html<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Additional services<br />
• As program matured, need for fur<strong>the</strong>r services<br />
<strong>in</strong>creased (budget problems)<br />
– Agreements with o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>in</strong>stitutions<br />
– Jobs board: through Program Manager<br />
– Alumni contacts and mentor<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– Short courses and conferences, speakers<br />
– Interface with <strong>in</strong>dustry, professional organizations and<br />
broader <strong>GIS</strong> community<br />
– Market<strong>in</strong>g<br />
– Upkeep of <strong>in</strong>tranet (Blackboard) <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
– … and one M<strong>GIS</strong> engagement (so far) …<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Ongo<strong>in</strong>g challenges<br />
• Hardware and software evergreen<strong>in</strong>g<br />
• Addition of new software and courses<br />
– eCognition Centre of Excellence announced April<br />
2005<br />
– Radar Remote Sens<strong>in</strong>g course 2006<br />
• Integrat<strong>in</strong>g faculty and program <strong>in</strong>to larger<br />
Department<br />
– Faculty research, teach<strong>in</strong>g, superv<strong>is</strong>ion balance<br />
– Budget no longer separate and protected<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
Position<strong>in</strong>g v<strong>is</strong>-à-v<strong>is</strong> new programs<br />
• Competition from onl<strong>in</strong>e programs<br />
– Demand <strong>is</strong> <strong>the</strong>re<br />
– Consider<strong>in</strong>g us<strong>in</strong>g some onl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> basics and<br />
core courses<br />
• Interaction of people wkith different specialties<br />
with<strong>in</strong> a face-to-face program <strong>is</strong> important to us<br />
– Ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> research/<strong>in</strong>dependent project focus:<br />
not a technical program<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
What I said…<br />
• Six years’ successful experience, 70+ graduates<br />
• Strong <strong>in</strong>ternational <strong>in</strong>terest<br />
• Excellent employment record for graduates<br />
• Adjustments made to keep up with<br />
developments <strong>in</strong> field, demand<br />
• Cont<strong>in</strong>ued research output by <strong>student</strong>s and<br />
faculty<br />
Part of<br />
2004<br />
graduat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
class<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science
More <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
Program website:<br />
http://www.ucalgary.ca/mg<strong>is</strong><br />
Authors’ emails:<br />
mhallbey@ucalgary.ca<br />
lmoorman@ucalgary.ca<br />
Presentation at:<br />
http://www.ucalgary.ca/~mhallbey<br />
M. Hall-Beyer and L. Moorman<br />
CAG June 1, 2005<br />
M<strong>GIS</strong>: Systems to Science