Overview

Philosophy

The proliferation of numerous applications in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has generated a great demand for well trained personnel, especially in developing countries like Kenya where the GIS industry is still young but growing fast. In response to this demand, and within the realm of Continuous Professional Development (CPD), the Department of Geospatial and Space Technology, University of Nairobi, offered short (certificate) course in GIS for three years. Experience gained from this CPD programme indicated that most professionals currently working in the local GIS industry lack formal GIS training and the required capacity to effectively manage GIS projects.

Rationale

The above factors provided the impetus for launching the Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems (MSc (GIS)). This programme is designed to accommodate the diverse interests of professionals from different backgrounds currently working or aspiring to work in the GIS industry. This is pertinent especially given the multidisciplinary nature of GIS.

Objectives

  1. Equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the GIS industry as GIS practitioners and educators.
  2. Provide students with comprehensive knowledge of the functionality and applications of GIS technology.
  3. Expose students to the design and implementation of GIS projects.
  4. Equip students with the relevant skills and knowledge to carry out research in GIS.

Schedule of Intakes

The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September)

Application Information

You will be required to enter some basic information, including your email address and to choose a password. We will then send you an email to the address you entered, so that we can validate your account. When you have clicked on the validation link (sent to you in the email), you will be able to log in to the application system using the "Login" box below

For instructions on how to apply click here

To apply online here

Mode of Delivery

  • Face-to-Face Mode

This is through lectures and tutorials using notes, electronic presentations, instruction manuals, group discussions, practical laboratory demonstrations and fieldwork.

  • Open, Distance Learning and e-Learning

In case of delivery through ODeL, special arrangements shall be made for the practical laboratory, field work and computing sessions. Where not feasible alternative arrangements will be made to do them on campus. 

  • Blended Learning

This is a hybrid of face to face with Open, Distance Learning and e-learning.

Contact of Support Persons

Main Campus, American Wing Building.

2nd Floor, Room AW310

Tel: +254204913525 (DL),
+254203318262 Ext 28399

 Email:surveying@uonbi.ac.ke

Notable Alumni

 

Application Information

Application for admission are open throughout the year through the online platform. The requirements for submitting your application are detailed in the link provided (https://application.uonbi.ac.ke/).

Admission Requirements

The common regulations for the Masters degrees in the University of Nairobi shall apply.

The following shall be eligible for admission:

a)    Holders of a Bachelor's degree in any geoinformation related discipline with at least upper second class honours of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate.

b)    Holders of a Bachelor's degree in any geoinformation related discipline with at least lower second class honours of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate, and two years experience in GIS.

c)         Holders of a Bachelor's pass degree in any geoinformation related discipline of the University of Nairobi, or equivalent qualifications from other institutions recognized by the Senate, and five years  experience in GIS.

Course Duration: 2 academic years

Schedule of intakes

The Department admits new students at the beginning of every academic calendar year (which is usually September).

Attachment Opportunities

  • GIS (Geographical Information Systems) Officer
  • Geomaticist (at companies like KenGen)
  • Geospatial Data Analyst
  • Assistant Geospatial Data Analyst
  • Geospatial Data Management Officer (County governments hire Geospatial Data Management Officers from time to time)
  • Survey assistant (this usually needs a diploma in geospatial engineering in Kenya though you can also be hired with a Diploma in Surveying)
  • GISCoordinator
  • GISProject Manager

Career Prospects

  • Cadastral Surveying & Digital Cadastre
  • Engineering Surveying
  • Hydrographic Surveying
  • Photogrammetric Mapping
  • Defense Mapping
  • Asset Management and Utilization
  • Environmental Management
  • Educational Institutions
  • Spatial Data Management
  • Remote Sensing
  • Planning and Urban Development
  • Business Mapping
  • Land Mapping
  • Land Planning
  • GIS and GPS Applications
  • Cartography


 

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS - F538      
       
     Semester 1-  4units   
TUITION               213,333  
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                   6,500  
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                   7,000  
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                   5,000  
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                   2,000  
CAUTION - (ONCE)                   5,000  
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                   2,250  
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                   4,000  
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                   1,000  
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                   1,000  
TOTAL               247,083  
     Semester 2- 5units   
TUITION               266,667  
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                   5,000  
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                   2,250  
TOTAL               273,917  
     Semester 3-  4units   
TUITION               213,333  
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)                   6,500  
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)                   7,000  
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)                   5,000  
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)                   2,000  
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                   2,250  
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)                   5,000  
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)                   1,000  
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)                   1,000  
TOTAL               243,083  
     Semester 4-project   
TUITION               266,667  
THESIS EXAMINATION                 30,000  
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)                   2,250  
TOTAL               298,917  
       
Grand TOTAL            1,063,000  

 

 

  1. EXAMINATION REGULATIONS

The common regulations governing examinations for the Master’s Degree in the University of Nairobi shall apply.

 

6.1     Written Examination Regulations
      1. All course units taken in a given semester shall be examined at the end of that semester.
      2. A candidate for the Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems shall be required to complete all course work and assignments.
      3. All course units shall be examined by a three (3) hour written examination paper, except the course unit FGS 705.
      4. The final written examination shall account for 70% of the marks in each course unit, while course work shall account for 30%.
      5. The pass mark for each course unit shall be 50%.
      6. A candidate who fails to obtain a pass mark in any course unit shall, on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate, be allowed to re-sit or re-take the failed units in the next examination semester for a maximum of two times.
      7. A pass obtained by re-sitting/re-taking a course unit shall be recorded as 50% in the student’s academic record.
      8. A candidate who fails a course unit in the second re-sit or re-take, or fails to complete the course in the prescribed time, shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate be discontinued.

 

    1. Research Project Report

 

      1. Candidates shall be required to submit a research project report to the Department for examination at least two weeks before the end of the second semester.
      2. The project shall be graded out of 100 marks.
      3. The final assessment shall be based on the maximum of 70% for the written research project report and 30% for the oral presentation and subsequent defence.
      4. The pass mark shall be 50%.
      5. A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in the research project report shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners be allowed to re-submit the project report up to a maximum of two times.
      6. A pass obtained after re-submission of the project report shall be recorded as 50%.
      7. A candidate who fails to obtain the pass mark in the project report at the second re-submission or fails to complete the course within the prescribed period shall on the recommendation of the Board of Examiners and approval by Senate be discontinued.

 

  1. DEGREE AWARD

Candidates who are successful shall be awarded the degree of a Master of Science in Geographic Information Systems.

 

 

 

Geospatial