Overview

Sustainable development, land use planning and environmental monitoring is widely recognized and depends greatly on the availability and credibility of geospatial data such as digital maps, terrestrial surveys, aerial photographs and satellite imagery. The methods required for these types of investigations and analysis of the resulting databases, which link information to maps stored in digital form, constitute the field of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing (GISRS). The application of GISRS in the UAE Governmental and private agencies is of high demand, this include Road and Transport Authority, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Environment and Water, Ministry of Energy and other Environmental agency as well as Municipalities. Extraordinary demands are also required from national and International Oil and Gas, Civil Engineering and Construction Industry as well as Academic and Educational Institutions. University of Sharjah is well recognized as one of the leading centers in the area in the field of GISRS and related technologies (including spatial and non-spatial data survey, remote sensing, photogrammetry, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and digital mapping. For the University of Sharjah, the MSc in GISRS is an inherent component of the integrative geospatial initiative that includes the following existing components: - B.Sc. in Petroleum Geology and Remote Sensing - M.Sc. & BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering - Computer Science - GIS and Remote Sensing Center at Research Institute of Science and Engineering (RISE) - Research Projects (RISE) Despite the considerable demand for geoscientists in the UAE and the GCC region, there is only one graduate program offered by another university in the UAE. Furthermore, the proposed program will offer concentrations not offered by other programs, such as science and engineering where graduates from the proposed program will find employment opportunities covering a wide spectrum mainly in environmental monitoring, transportation, mineral and water exploration, geo-imaging and remote sensing, natural risks management, industry and petroleum sectors, archaeological excavation and preservation, business as well as research positions in industry and government laboratories. The Master of Science GISRS is designed to provide the students with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills required for working in a wide range of careers that deals with geospatial data and applications. Moreover, the proposed program aims at establishing a geospatially-centered teaching and research environment and providing world-class knowledge and expertise for multi-disciplinary research in Engineering, Computer, Environmental, Social and Earth Sciences, Sustainable Development, as well as Information and Data Management Technologies.