Welcome to the Immerse Research Group
Department
- About the Department
of Geography
The Geography Department, with 24 faculty members currently, offers BA and BSc degrees and a graduate
program of study leading to the MGIS, MA, MSc or PhD degrees. The Department plays a leadership role in, and
has strong links with, multidisciplinary undergraduate programs including Environmental Science, Earth Science
and Transportation Studies. The Department’s graduate MGIS program enrolls approximately 75 students and
provides the core for a significant faculty concentration of expertise in GIS, Remote Sensing and Spatial
Statistics. State-of-the-art research, teaching, computing and analytical facilities are available in the Department,
particularly in the area of Remote Sensing and GIS.
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- About the Campus
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- About the MGIScience
Program
Linking Theory to Practice ... Systems to Science
The Department of Geography at the University of Calgary offers a course based graduate program leading to the Masters of GIS (MGIS). The program is customized to each student's needs, responding to their respective interests, experience and academic background. Students develop competency in three core areas: GIS, remote sensing, and spatial statistics. There is also a strong emphasis on research, with completion of an individual research project. The program can be completed in one-year by full time students, though many students take 16 months to complete all requirements.
The MGIS program is designed to allow the students to achieve a thorough understanding of geographical information concepts and theory, and an exposure to research and application specialities.This program appeals to a variety of candidates, including those already in the GIS/ remote sensing industry, and those who want to acquire GIS knowledge and practical experience to complement their existing specialization. Students without a strong GIS or remote sensing background will build their spatial analysis skills and experience as part of their program. The MGIS degree can be completed in one-year by full-time students, or may be taken as a part-time program. Many of our students choose to work full or part time, and take 1.5 to 2 years to complete their program.The program is comprised of ten courses; five of which are mandatory, and five optional courses. Two of the mandatory courses are based on an individual research project. The optional courses may be taken within the Geography Department or in other Departments on campus, such as Engineering, Management, Biology or Geology.
The two research project courses will focus on a single topic of the student's choice, decided in consultation with their supervisor. The first course will be a critical literature review of the topic, and the second will consist of the actual research and implementation. The final papers from the two courses are combined into a cohesive manuscript that fully documents the project and results. The document will be basis for a comprehensive oral exam at the end of the student’s program, to be administered by an examining committee. The exam is comprehensive and, therefore, will also focus on material from core courses.
- University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is a comprehensive research university that, in its short 37-year history , has grown to take its place among the finest institutions in Canada. Combining the best of long-established university traditions with the City of Calgary's vibrant energy and diversity, the university aims to provide a research and scholarly foundation for students eager to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for a successful personal and professional life.
Our 213-hectare campus is a beautiful and dynamic setting for scholars in 16 faculties, 53 departments and more than 30 research institutes and centres. Our 1,917 full-time equivalent teaching and research faculty are actively engaged in research and scholarship. With over 2,500 full-time equivalent support staff, the university is Calgary's fourth largest employer.Nearly 26,000 full-time equivalent students, including 900 international students from 87 countries, are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. This year, the university intends to graduate its 100,000th alumni.
As one of Canada's top seven research universities, innovation, discovery and learning are at the heart of all that we do. Our relentless pursuit of quality in our teaching and research programs is guided by our mission to contribute to the well being of the people of Alberta, Canada and the world.
The university belongs to 17 Networks of Centres of Excellence, an innovative national approach to research and development designed to develop Canada's economy and improve the quality of life for Canadians. About 75 chairs and professorships in such areas as American studies, schizophrenia, project management, cancer and intelligent manufacturing attract renowned scholars and leading researchers to the U of C.
More than 30 endowed chairs are supported jointly by government and industry. Revenues from sponsored research (including deferred revenue) have more than doubled in the last five years to $172 million. Research brings significant benefits provincially, nationally and internationally, and is the foundation of Alberta's economic and social vitality. It is core to the university's teaching and research mandate. Our vision, with the help of our stakeholders and partners, is to achieve a place among the top five research universities in Canada by 2010.
With that goal in mind, the university offers quality undergraduate education that is characterized by the synthesis of research, teaching and learning. We mean to enhance the undergraduate learners' experience by using a student-centred focus that maximizes opportunities to provide a distinctive learning experience that fully integrates the features of a research university. The university is broadening opportunities for students to take inquiry-based courses that lead to greater critical thinking skills, increased exposure to research methods and greater access to leading edge scholars.
Our efforts have raised our global profile, enhanced the quality of our undergraduate and graduate programs, promoted innovation and excellence in scholarly activity and provided significant returns and tangible benefits to our community and economy.
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