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Academic Programme

Academic Programme

PROGRAMMES OFFERED IN GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT

  1. B.Sc. Degree in Geography (Social Sciences)
  2. B.Sc. Degree in Geography (Science)
  3. M.Sc. Degree in Geography (Social Sciences)
  4. M.Sc. Degree in Geography (Science)
  5. Professional M.Sc. Degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  6. M.Sc. Degree in Geoinformation Science
  7. M.Sc. Degree in Water Resources Management
  8. M.Phil. Degree in Geography
  9. M.Phil. Degree in Geoinformation Science
  10. Ph.D. Degree in Geography (Social Sciences)
  11. Ph.D. Degree in Geography (Science)
  12. Ph.D. Degree in Geoinformation Science

GENERAL REGULATIONS & GUIDELINES LEADING TO B.Sc. (HONS) GEOGRAPHY DEGREE IN THE FACULTY OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES FOR B.SC DEGREE IN GEOGRAPHY

  1. A four – year programme of course shall be provided leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science to be denoted by the letter B.Sc., which may be awarded with Honours or as a pass Degree in Geography.
  2. Instruction in the Department shall be by courses and students will be required to take an approved combination of courses which the Senate, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of Science and The Social Sciences, may from time to time determine.
  3. Courses shall be evaluated in terms of course units. One course unit shall be defined as one lecture contact hour per week, or three one-hour laboratory of practical classes per week throughout a semester.
  4. There shall be four levels of courses: numbered 101-199, 201-299, 301-399 and 399-499. Course numbers shall be prefixed by a three-character subject code. Determination of the class of degree shall be based on performance at all levels.
  5. In addition, the General Studies Programme is a compulsory requirement that must be satisfied by all students of the university. All students in the Faculty of Social Science are expected to take and pass GES101 (Use of English I); and any two from GES 104 (Science and Mankind), GES 105 (Land Use, Agriculture and Animal Husbandry), GES 201 (Use of English II) and GES 107 (Sexual and Reproductive Health).

THE NEW GRADING SYSTEM AND MINIMUM UNITS TO BE REGISTERED FOR AND PASSED BY STUDENTS AT EACH LEVEL

The implementation of the new 4-Point Grading System commenced in the 2016/2017 session. The minimum Units to be registered for and passed by students at each level, and the change in the status of GES Courses in the University under the new system are as follows:

  • The average minimum units at each level should be 40 units
  • The minimum units to be passed at each level by students in order to proceed to the next level should be 60% of 40 units (24 units).
  • All GES courses with the exception of the “Use of English I & II (GES 101 and 201)”, should be made to acquire the status of REQUIRED COURSES.

The implication of the above is that the recommended Average Minimum Units expected of the students to take/register for is 40 units for the new intakes i.e 100 Level as against the old 30 units. Consequently, the regulations guiding withdrawal of students in the University are as follows:

  • At the end of the first year (100 Level), a student who has passed less than 24 units should be asked to withdraw from the university.
  • At the end of second year (200 Level), a student who has passed less than 48 units (cumulative) should be asked to withdraw from the university.
  • At the end of third year (300 Level), a student who has passed less than 72 units (cumulative) should be asked to withdraw from the university.
  • The CGPA at each level should not be less than 1.0

Grade to be used for students who satisfactorily complete the work of a course by the end of the semester are:

Letter Grade Marks (%) Grade point

A (70 and above) 4

B (60 -69) 3

C (50- 59) 2

D (45-49) 1

E (40-44) 0

The class of the degree of students who have satisfactorily completed their course of studies shall be determined as follows:

Cumulative Grade Point Average and Remarks

3.5 – 4.0 First Class Honours

3.0 – 3.49 Second Class Honours (Upper Division)

2.0 – 2.99 Second Class Honours (Lower Division)

1.0 – 1.99 Third Class Honours

Students with less than 1.0 CGPA shall not be awarded a degree

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME

The Department of Geography of the University of Ibadan is well known for its depth and quality of the training not only of undergraduates but also of postgraduate students. The department has the foremost postgraduate programme in Geography in Africa and her products constitute the bulk of the staff of departments of Geography in most Nigerian universities, colleges of Education and polytechnics.

The Department currently offers both academic M.Sc., M.Phil. and Ph.D., and professional master’s degree programmes. The M.Sc. degree programme shall normally span a minimum period of three semesters and is examined by course work and the submission of a project report. The M.Phil. and the Ph.D. programmes span a minimum of four and six semesters and are examined by dissertation and thesis respectively. The department produces postgraduate students in all branches of geography.

The Department of Geography continues to improve its postgraduate programmes not only to meet the ever increasing needs of the Nigerian market but also in terms of improving the academic content of the courses. Plans are under way to introduce new courses and programmes.

MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAMME

The need to broaden the scope and content of higher degrees programme, remove unnecessary overlaps in course contents and restructure some of the courses in consonance with the demands of higher degree training has prompted the reorganization of this curriculum guide to the postgraduate programmes of the Department of Geography. The contents complement, rather than supersede the General Regulations Governing Higher Degree, Diploma and Certificates produced by the Postgraduate College.

Admission and Requirements for the M.Sc. (Geography) Degree

  1. Admission to the M.Sc. (Geography) Degree Programme is open to graduates of this University or of other approved universities, who have B.Sc. degree in geography or in related disciplines. All candidates must satisfy the minimum Matriculation requirements of the University of Ibadan.
  2. The M.Sc. degree shall be based partly on a set of courses of instruction and seminars, and partly on a project by each candidate on an approved topic under a supervisor or supervisors. The minimum duration for the programme is three (3) semesters.

Regulations for M.Sc. Degree in Geography

i. The programme shall be for a minimum of three (3) semesters and a maximum of five (5) semesters for full-time studies and minimum of 5 semesters and maximum of 8 semesters for a part-time studies as may be applicable from time to time.

ii. Admission to the M.Sc. degree programme is open to graduates of this University

or of other approved universities, who have the appropriate bachelor degree.

iii. The programme shall comprise lectures and seminars. The degree shall be on the basis of examinations on course work and a project. The latter shall be reported

in no more than 40,000 words.

iv. Instruction shall mainly be given by members of the Geography Department.

v. Courses units shall be the medium of course evaluation. A course unit is equivalent to the lecture/tutorial contact hour per week throughout a semester, or an equivalent amount of assigned study or a combination of these.

vi. There shall be one level course (the 701-799 level) and the course numbers shall be pre-fixed by a three-letter code, GEO.

vii. A student shall register for a minimum of 30 units and a maximum of 36 units including a project which carries 6 units.

viii. Part-time students shall be required to register in one year for not more than 15 course units (excluding the project).

ix. The pass mark for compulsory and elective courses shall be 40 per cent.

x. A student shall not qualify for an M.Sc. degree until the completion of a minimum of three semesters.

xi. To be considered for the award of M.Sc. degree, a student must have been credited with a minimum of 30 units including project (6 units). Course units are selected from the following:

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Admission to the Ph.D. degree programme is open to graduates of this University, who have attained a specific level of performance in the M.Sc. programme, or who hold the M.Phil. degree of other Universities in geography and related disciplines. Based on the three semesters M.Sc. examination of this University, such candidates must have had a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) average of 5.0 or above. Candidates having the M.Sc. degree of other Universities as well as graduates of the University of Ibadan who have 4.0 CGPA at M.Sc. degree Examination are provisionally admitted for M.Phil./Ph.D. These candidates shall be assessed at the end of the first session of registration for the purpose of converting their registration from the M.Phil. to the Ph.D. programme.

The conversion shall be based on the evaluation of performance in the prescribed courses and the research proposal. The written examination will be in the following courses.

Compulsory CourseUnits
GEO 801Theory and Methods of Geographical Research.3
PGC 800Seminars and Research Proposal6
Required Courses 
GEO 802Contemporary Research Methods in Geography3
GEO 803Computer Applications in Geography3
APPROVED CURRICULUM

Course

Code

Title and Description of CoursesHours of theoretical InstructionHours of theoretical InstructionUnitsStatus
GEO 701

Scientific Method in Geography

The methodology of the natural and social sciences. Research process. Critical thinking in Geography. The logic and testing of hypotheses. Design of models and experiments. Laws and Theories in geography, space/time Concepts.

45-3Compulsory
GEO 711

Microclimatology

The physical basis of boundary layer Climates. Climates of Vegetated and non-vegetated surfaces and terrain: environment. Urban Climatology. The measurement and instrumentation for determining boundary layer climates.

45-3Elective
GEO 712

Techniques in Climatology

The basic techniques in Analysis of climatic variables. Climatological models. Applications of the basic technique in radiation Climatology. Techniques of Weather estimation, Techniques of analysing climatic data, cartographic representation of climatic data. Techniques of climatological investigations at micro, meso and macro scales. Vulnerability to climate change and Climate Impact Assessment..

45-3Elective
GEO 713

Biogeographical Analysis

Ideas and concepts of man and his environment; the environment as a man’s life support system; fundamental processes determining the nature of and spatial patterns in the biosphere; human impacts on major world ecosystem. Research frontiers in biogeography; experimental design techniques of biogeographical investigation. Concepts and ideas about soil and plants as living systems; weathering and pedogenetic processes: Principles and practice of soil and vegetation communities and their analysis.

45-3Elective
GEO 714

Environmental Monitoring and Impact Assessment

Environmental and Development. Environmental Hazards. Techniques of Environmental Monitoring and Hazard Assessment. Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment.

45 3Elective
GEO 715

Land Resource Analysis

Economic analysis of existing natural resources complexes indifferent regions; the classification of land types and assessment of their development potentials; river basin planning water resource development. Perception of the natural environment.

45-3Elective
GEO 716

River Basin Studies

The Drainage basin as a physical unit in the parameters and their study. Development problems and practices including design and

Operation of comprehensive river basin development programmes, water resources and flood control systems.

45-3Elective
GEO 717

Surface and Groundwater Hydrology

Principles of open channel flow. Flood routing techniques. Simulation methods – pervious, impervious and semi-pervious rocks and their influence on porosity. The formation of aquifers and methods of groundwater prospecting. Instrumentation of well logging

45-3Elective
GEO 718

Geomorphological Research Techniques

Methods of geomorphological investigation, advanced morphometry. Material properties of rocks. Weathering slope, river glacial and desert processes: methods of dating.

45-3Elective
GEO 731

Location of Economic Activities

Locational theories –Knowledge industry, Primary, Secondary, tertiary and Quaternary activities, industrial agricultural, locational agricultural, locational decision making processes. Measurement methodologies and analysis of the spatial structures of economic activities. Concepts and processes of shift migration and splash of economic activities. Case studies of space economics in West Africa.

45-3Elective
GEO 732

Population Analysis

Tools of demographic analysis: techniques of migration and socio-economic trends. Population models the life table; dynamics of

population and socio-economic trends

45-3Elective
GEO 733

Urban Systems Analysis

The city as a system. Central Place Systems and Rank - Size Relationship. The nature of cities: Classical methods. Factorial ecology and micro-economic explanations of Urban spatial structure

Mathematical Modelling of urban systems.

45-3Elective
GEO 734

Rural Systems Analysis

Principles of Human Settlement and Models of Colonization: Rural Central Places; Agricultural. Location Theories; Models of rural change, development Concepts and Strategies in rural Development Planning.

45-3Elective
GEO 735

Location Allocation Method

The Minimal spanning tree, the shortest Path and the traveling salesman’s problems location, allocation systems optimal partitioning of point set, the minimal covering problems, Dynamic and hierarchical location - allocation systems. Location-Allocation of Public Facilities

45-3Elective
GEO 736

Applied Medical Geography

Elements of disease ecology. Disease Mapping; Disease diffusion and variable methods of association; Geographical application in health-care delivery. Political economy of healthcare. Climate Change and healthcare systems.

45-3Elective
GEO 737

Transportation

History and Evolution of Transport. Transport spatial Processes and spatial structures; Evolution and Structure if Transportation System; Transportation/ Communication relationship. Transport energy and sustainability, Environmental Challenges if Transport. network and structural Model Systems; Urban and rural Transport problems; transport and Economic development.

45-3Elective
GEO 738

Applied Political Geography

Classical and contemporary concepts and theories in political geography, Elements of political Geography; Political spatial organizations. Electoral Geography. Geopolitics at the International Arena. Geopolitics of globalization. Geography and public Policy.

45-3Elective
GEO 781

Techniques of Geographical Investigation

geographical series; Advanced methods in Multivariate analysis (multiple regression, factor and principal components, trend surface and linear discriminant analysis etc.) Spatial Autocorrelation, Variogram and Semi-variogram, Statistical and Mathematical modelling (Monte Cardo Simulation. Markov processes), Regionalisation and grouping Techniques.

45-3Elective
GEO 782

Mathematics for Geographers

Basic Matrix Algebra; Differential and Integral Calculus; Difference and Differential Equations; Maximization and Minimization methods, application to Geography.

45-3Elective
GEO 783

Computer Techniques in Geographical Research

Computer application in spatial data analysis in hydrology, metrology, demography, human health, soil and vegetation, land use/ cover change analysis, urbanization etc. using SPSS, GeoDA, ArcGIS and Quantum GIS software. A brief introduction to R-Language for Spatial Data Analysis.

45-3Elective
GEO 784

Surveying

Principles of surveying angles and rectangular co-ordinates. Chain surveying, levelling, ground and air photographic surveying; topographical and hydrographical surveying.

15903Elective
GEO 785

Advanced Cartography

Historical development of cartography; theory of colour – the technical and conceptual aspects of its use in cartography; map as a model; Computer cartography; Research methods in Cartography.

15903Elective
GEO 791

Project

An independent research project which involves the use of geographic tools and techniques to investigate a problem in the candidate’s field of specialization. It would normally involve the collection of quantitative data on physical and/or human related phenomena in the field and the use of appropriate statistical method to analyse the data and to test Hypothesis.

15903Elective
GEO 801

Theories and Methods in Geography

Geographical Traditions

Evolution of Geographic Thought: Changing paradigms – Environmentalism, Possibilism, areal differentiation, spatial organisation. Theory in Geography: structure, nature, type and applications in geography; human-environment interactions and social theory. Philosophical debates in Contemporary Geography: Critical understanding of positivism, behaviouralism, realism, Marxism, Structuralism, post-structuralism and postmodernism. Methods in Geographical Analysis: Epistemology of geography, critical assessment and debates on quantitative, qualitative, Future of Geography: changing nature, concepts, approaches and methodologies of geography in a Globalising World. Progress and Contributions in Indian Geography

45-3Compulsory
GEO 802

Contemporary Research Methods in Geography

Familiarity with appropriate range of intellectual and methodological traditions in Geography. Capacity development to frame research questions, to derive appropriate research designs. Development of competence and confidence in using a range of both qualitative and quantitative methods of gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence. Development of capability to manage research, including data management, conducting and disseminating research, working in a team, and understanding codes of research practice and research ethics. Gain practical experience of geographical research through conducting small-scale research project(s), chiefly through thesis

45-3Required
GEO 803

Computer Applications in Geography

Introduction to Open Data Kit and CSPro for mobile and online questionnaire design. Using SPSS and GeoDa for geographical data analysis. Spatial analysis using ArcGIS and QGIS software (overlay, clip, intersect, buffering). Hydrological tools, digital image processing and interpretation. introduction to R-Language

45-3Required
PGC 800M.Phil./ Ph.D. Graduate Research Seminar90-6Compulsory

PROFESSIONAL M.Sc. DEGREE PROGRAMME IN GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (M.Sc. GIS)

Introduction

The field of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has brought together an array of diverse interests, each of which has found some usefulness in a common technology, that is, digital technology. The enormous potentials of GIS technology in a wide variety of applications in science, social science, community health, agriculture, environment and natural resources, management, inventory and policy formulation have made it one of the fastest growing branches of geography. GIS has elevated Geography to the forefront among other disciplines in the level of research funding in such countries as the United States of America and Britain. GIS is being used increasingly by experts to analyze the environment, natural resources and management problems. There is an urgent demand locally for professionals trained in GIS who would help to integrate GIS concepts and technology into the spatial decision making processes. There is need also to train teachers who would assist in integrating GIS concepts and applications into programmes taught by disciplines concerned with spatial phenomena such as geography, surveying, geology, landscape architecture, forestry and resource management.

Facilities

The Department of Geography has a state-of-the-art GIS Laboratory set up under the Nigeria/Iowa Universities Development Linkage Programme (UDLP) and it is presently sustained by the Department. The laboratory is well-equipped with powerful desktop computers; A0 Scanners and Plotters, Global Positioning Systems device, modern teaching aid facilities and internet facility. In addition, the laboratory boasts of different kinds of GIS software such as ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine, Idrisi, Environment for Visualisation (ENVI), eCognition, MapInfo, ErMapper, Transcad among others. The Department has experts trained in GIS and Remote Sensing applications, spatial statistics, web based programming and in the related and relevant areas of cartography and computer analysis.

The Professional M.Sc. Degree in GIS Programme

The main purpose of the Professional Master of Science Degree Programme in GIS is to train suitable candidates to become professionals in the applications of GIS concepts and technology in various fields of human endeavour. To achieve this goal, the course contents, methods of instruction and instructional materials have been specifically designed to lay emphasis on scientific and policy-oriented applications and also on the technical development of GIS and to some level Remote Sensing. Students will master such important aspects as spatial analysis and spatial statistics: spatial relationships and data structures: visualization of spatial data; maps and mapping data sources; and social, economic, legal and institutional issues in the use of GIS technology. Each student will be required to develop proficiency in the use of a set of GIS systems and to demonstrate the practical applications of at least one of them by utilizing it in an independent project

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Professional M.Sc. Degree Programme in GIS is open to graduates of this University and other approved universities recognized by senate, with a minimum of Second Class Bachelor’s Degree in science, social sciences, medicine, agriculture and forestry, environmental science and engineering and related disciplines. Work experience in scientific, management and policy-oriented establishments will be an added advantage.

Duration

The programme shall be for a minimum of three (3) semesters and a maximum of five (5) semesters of a full-time study. The course work would occupy two semesters while the mandatory research project would be carried out during the third semester. The award of degree will be conditional on a student’s success in all the set courses and in the project.

Regulations for the M.Sc. in Geographical Information System (M.Sc. GIS)

  1. The M.Sc. GIS shall be undertaken as a Full-Time programme.
  2. All candidates shall complete their registration formalities at the beginning of their first semester.
  3. Candidates shall be required to take an approved combination of 700 level courses as Senate on the recommendation of the Board of Postgraduate College, may determine from time to time.
  4. Candidates shall be required normally to take examination at the end of the semester in which a course is taught, and, in any case, not later than the end of the academic year, candidates shall be credited with the number of course units assigned to the courses which they passed.
  5. The M.Sc. GIS degree shall be graded at the end of the programme using the CGPA system in accordance with University of Ibadan regulations. All courses taken will be utilized for the aggregate score.
  6. For the award of the degree, a candidate shall be required to register and pass all the compulsory courses (26 units), all the required courses (18 units) and any elective course(s) of choice to complete the minimum of 45 units.

Courses

There are four groups of courses:

(a). Basic Principles and Concepts of GIS: Courses designed to teach basic theory and tools of spatial information analysis and to provide a broad exposure of GIS applications so that objective decisions can be made about system acquisition and implementation. The courses touch on (a) introduction to GIS (b) technical issues in GIS and (c) application issues in GIS.

(b) GIS System: Intensive laboratory course designed to give students hand on practice in the use of different GIS software including ArcGIS, Erdas Imagine, ErMapper, MapInfo, TransCAD, eCognition, Idrisi, Environment for Visualisation (ENVI), Quantum GIS etc. and their applications in different disciplines and fields of human endeavour.

(c ) Background Foundation Courses: These include courses on spatial statistics, maps and mapping, and spatial decision support systems.

(d) The Project.

List of Courses

Compulsory CoursesUnits
GIS 710Elements of GIS3
GIS 711Theories and Methods of Geographic Research3
GIS 712Data Structures and Algorithms3
GIS 720Application Issues in GIS3
GIS 783GIS systems I: Simple Systems4
GIS 784GIS system II: Advanced4
GIS 790Project6
Required Courses 
GIS 722Spatial Decision Support Systems3
GIS 730Spatial Statistics3
GIS 733Computer Programming in GIS3
GIS 734Advanced Programming in GIS3
GIS 761Maps and Mapping3
GIS 762Digital Image Processing3
Elective Courses 
GIS 763Geomatics3
GIS 764Digital Cartography3
GIS 771GIS in Environmental and Natural Resources Management3
GIS 772GIS and Management Planning3
GIS 785Web Based GIS3

Approved Curriculum

Course

Code

Title and Description of CoursesHours of theoretical InstructionHours of practical InstructionUnitsStatus
GIS 710

Elements of GIS

Evolution of GIS and Mapping; component of GIS; GIScience, Current and Future trends. Representing Geography: Geographic Data Modelling fundamentals. Database fundamentals Geographic Data Collection, GIS Data Creation and Storage Spatial Analysis

45-3Compulsory
GIS 711

Theories and Methods of Geographic Research

Theories in geography, space/time Concepts. Research Process. Critical thinking in Geography The methodology GIS. The logic and testing of hypotheses. Design of models and experiments.

45 3Compulsory
GIS 712

Algorithms

Raster and Vector Structures and Algorithms. Surfaces, Volumes and Time Data Structures. Storage of Complex Objects. Data bases for GIS. Managing and modelling Errors, Spatial Interpolation Visualisation etc.

45-3Compulsory
GIS 720

Application Issues in GIS

Overview of GIS System Planning, Functional Requirement Studies; GIS System Evaluation Activities, Benchmarking; Pilot Project; GIS Systems Cost and Benefit Analysis; Implementation Issues in GIS; GIS System Integration and Application Development; System Planning and implementation, Social Legal policy and global issues etc.

45-3Compulsory
GIS 722

Spatial Decision Support Systems

Decision making processes, Spatial decision making, Decision Support Systems, Multi-criteria Evaluation, Methods and tools for collaborative Decision-making. Consensus Evaluation, Analytical Hierarchical Process. Coupling of GIS models with analytical models to facilitate processes of decision-making.

45-3Required
GIS 730

Spatial Statistics

Review of Non-spatial statistics, Geostatistics: variograms and Covariance functions, kriging, Spatial Error& Lag regression model and smoothing methods. Areal data analysis including neighbourhoods, testing for Spatial association, global and local tests of association; disease mapping. Point Process data: types of spatial patterns, CSR and tests. Bayesian methods for spatial stat, Bayesian disease mapping. Spatio-temporal modelling

15903Required
GIS 733

Computer Programming in GIS

Emphasis on Visual Basic, Java and Python Scripting. Linking computer programs with GIS software. Set tutorial classes in Python, Java and Visual Basic languages, write source codes for GIS basic functions; customize GIS Programs; practical

30153Elective
GIS 734

Advanced Programming in GIS

Advanced python programming and scripting Programming for Web and GIS Tool box

15153Elective
GIS 761

Maps and Mapping

Definition of map, components of a maps. Map as a storage and communication media. Choropleth Mapping technique, Dasymetric, Isarithmic maps. Map project and transformation. Visualisation of spatial data. GeoVisualisation. Tutorial using ArcGIS and Quantum GIS software

30-3Required
GIS 762

Digital Image Processing

Image Fundamentals, Image enhancement in spatial and frequency domains. Image restoration, processing, segmentation, interpretation and analysis. Change detection analysis.

45-3Required
GIS 763

Geomatics

Maps, Satellites and the Geospatial Revolution, Air Photo Interpretation and Remote Sensing, Global Positioning System. Introduction to Surveying principles and methods, Measurement analysis and adjustment. Use of relevant contemporary application software.

45-3Elective
GIS 764

Desktop Cartography

Introduction to digital cartography, differences Between digital and manual cartography. Principles and Practice of cartography. Cartography as language and communication. Map content design and implementation. Graphic representation. Elements and principles of data abstraction, visualization, Entities and attributes, quantities, quality, uncertainty and spatialisation. Representing non-geographic data, composing maps and graphics, and presentation and display.

45-3Required
GIS 771

GIS in Environmental & Natural Resource Management

Environmental and Natural resources data considerations. Environmental and biogeochemical modelling. Applications/Case Studies in Environmental Monitoring, resource management, hydrology, Agriculture, forestry etc.

45-3Elective
GIS 772

GIS in Management and Planning

Applications Case Studies in Social, economic, demographic, health, transportation, urban and regional planning decision. Location-allocation models. Project management in GIS

45-3Elective
GIS 783

GIS System 1: Simple Systems

Data conversion and database creation Projection and transformation, Data editing, data analysis using various overlay techniques. Using Google Earth and Global Positioning System (GPS) device for spatial data capture. Thematic mapping and 3D data representation Set tutorial classes on ArcGIS, Quantum GIS, TransCAD and MapInfo in the Computer Lab.

-2904Compulsory
GIS 784

GIS System II:

Remote sensing platforms. Spatial, spectral and radiometric image correlation and calibrations image registration, Supervised and Unsupervised. Classification. Pixel and object based digital image classification. Hyperspectral image interpretation. Land use/cover mapping. Vegetation and water indices. Orthogonal transformations and other Advanced Systems. Set Tutorial classes on Idrisi, Erdas Imagine, ErMapper, GRASS, eCognition, ENVI and Iliwis.

-2904Compulsory
GIS 784

Web Based GIS

Principles and concepts of web mapping. Historical trends in web mapping. Examples of contemporary online web mapping applications. Online spatial analysis and decision making using web maps. Authoring and publishing of GIS based maps using Geo-apps in configuring web maps. Using SDK and Java scripts to author maps. Practical exercise using ArcGIS online platforms.

45-3Elective
GIS 790

Project

An original piece of work based on the application of one of the GIS system in the student’s chosen area (GIS 771 OR 772)

  6Compulsory

ACADEMIC MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (M.Sc. WRM)

Freshwater is an essential resource that is in limited supply. Without appropriate water management, whether in agriculture, industry, community development, or maintenance of a sustainable environment, there is the risk of over exploitation and pollution. With the global population explosion and advent of climate change, the sustainable management of water resources is increasingly more vital. Increasing populations are placing further demands on an already stressed global water supply. Human effects on the quality and quantity of water represent the single greatest threat to species, habitats and ecosystem functions around the world owing to their fundamental dependence on water.

Worldwide, there is a high and growing demand for experts adequately trained on the concepts of Water Resources Management. Next to technical and managerial knowledge, they should also be familiar with the practices of project funding and international cooperation. The objective of the program is to build capacity of experts in the field of Water Resources Management (WRM) who will follow a cross-sectoral policy approach, designed to replace the traditional, fragmented sectoral approach to water resources management that has led to poor services and unsustainable resource use. The program targets graduate professionals with working experience in public or private institutions, authorities and enterprises of the water sector.

Admission Requirements for the M.Sc. Water Resources Management Degree

  1. Applicants to the programme must satisfy the matriculation requirements of the University of Ibadan for their cognate disciplines.
  2. Admission to the Academic Master’s in WRM is open to graduates of this University or of other approved universities with at least 2nd Class Honours lower division in Geography, Water Resources Management, Environmental Sciences, The Social Sciences, Hydrology, Geology, Engineering and other related disciplines.
  3. Prospective candidates must have NYSC discharge certificate (for Nigerian graduates only).

Regulations for Academic Master Degree in Water Resources Management

  1. The M.Sc. Water Resources Management shall be undertaken as a Full-Time training programme.
  2. Candidates may be admitted for Part-Time registration if they are academic staff members of the University or if they satisfy the Postgraduate College requirements that the facilities for their work as Part-Time students shall be adequate.

Duration and Designation of Programme

  1. The M.Sc. Water Resources Management will be for a duration of three semesters, Full-Time study and five semesters for Part-Time study.
  2. For Full-Time study, course work would occupy two semesters while the mandatory research project would be carried out during the third semester.
  3. For Part-Time study, course work will be taken over three to four semesters, while the project will be done over one to two semesters.
  4. The degree shall be designated “M.Sc. Water Resources Management”.

Modes of Instruction

  1. The course shall consist of lectures, field trips, laboratory and field practical exercises, seminars and presentations, e- learning and project. The curriculum shall comprise compulsory (C), required (R) and elective (E) courses.
  2. Assessment shall be through term papers, continuous assessment tests, end of course examination, laboratory / students’ field trip assessment and oral examination on the project work to be moderated by an external examiner.
  3. Candidates shall be required to register for a minimum of 30 units and maximum of 45 units including all compulsory and required courses. One unit being equivalent to a period of 15-hour lecture/tutorials or 30-hour seminar or 45-hour practical.
  4. Candidates shall carry out a research project which would carry a 6 credit unit score as part of the requirement for the award of the degree.
  5. Examinations shall be conducted in accordance with the existing regulations of the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan.

Examination

  1. Examination shall be conducted in accordance with the existing regulations of the Postgraduate Collage of the University of Ibadan.
  2. Candidates are expected to be examined in the courses for which they are registered at the end of the semester in which the courses are taken.
  3. The pass mark shall be 40% for compulsory and elective courses and 30% for required courses.
  4. Candidates shall be required to be credited with a minimum of 30 units including a pass in all compulsory and required courses and a successful defence of project.
  5. There shall be no re-sit examinations in any of the courses. A student who fails a course (including the project) shall be required to re-register for the course (or project) and be re-examined at the next available opportunity.
  6. The M.Sc. Water Resources Management degree shall be graded at the end of the programme using the CGPA system in accordance with the University of Ibadan regulations. All courses taken will be utilized for the aggregate score.
  7. No candidate shall qualify for the award of the degree until he/she has satisfactorily completed the prescribed period of study and passed all the required examinations.

Requirements for the award of M.Sc. degree in Water Resources Management

To qualify for the award of Masters in Water Resources Management, the candidate is required to pass all the compulsory courses, obtain a minimum score of 40% in all compulsory courses and minimum score of 30% in required courses. The candidate shall be examined in all the courses registered for at the end of the semester in which the courses are completed. Students are expected to submit a research project to be examined by a panel of examiners including an External Examiner. Course units are selected from the following:

Compulsory CoursesUnits
WRM 701Theories and Concepts in Water Resources Management2
WRM 702Research Methods in Water Resources Management2
WRM 703Catchment Water Resources Assessment3
WRM 790Project6
Required Courses 
WRM 704Water Systems Modelling2
WRM 705Water Resources Planning and Management2
WRM 706Water Conservation2
WRM 707Water Governance2
WRM 720Seminar2
WRM 721Field Visits2
Elective Courses 
WRM 708Climate Change and Water Resources3
WRM 709Urban and Rural Water Supply2
WRM 710Remote Sensing and GIS for Water Resources Management3
WRM 711Freshwater Ecosystems3
WRM 712Integrated River Basin Management2
GEO 716River Basin Studies3
GEO 717Surface and Groundwater Hydrology3
GEY 750Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology2
WRM 713Coastal Morphodynamics2
WRM 714Water, Sanitation and Health2
WRM 715Gender and Water2
WRM 716Water and Environmental Law2
WRM 717Water Economics2
WRM 718Water, Food and Energy2

APPROVED CURRICULUM

S/NCourse Code

Course Title and

Description

Hours of theoretical InstructionHours of practical InstructionUnitsStatus
1WRM 701

Theories and Concepts in Water Resources Management

Concept of water; the Hydrologic cycle; System Concepts: Definition, classification, and characteristics of systems; Need for systems approach to water resources; Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Principles, indicators, instruments, case studies. ET control theory water scarcity, water sensitive

30 2Compulsory
2WRM 702

Research Methods in Water Resources Management

The methodology of the natural and social sciences. Research process. Design of models and experiments. Strategies and Methods of Data Collection, Data Processing. Statistical analyses methods: Descriptive statistics; Basic probability concepts and distributions; The logic and testing of hypotheses.

30 2Compulsory
3WRM 703

Catchment Water Resources Assessment

Water Quality:- Physical and chemical properties of water. Water Quality Sampling and Analyses:- Sampling design; Data collection platforms; Water quality data storage, analysis and inference; Software packages. Water Pollution; Pollution control; Water treatment technologies; Recycling and Reuse of Water; Economic and social dimensions; Water Quality Management; Methods of water quality monitoring and assessment; Analyses and quantification of multiple uses of water.

15903Compulsory
4WRM 704

Water Systems Modelling

Digital Data Management:- Data base structure; Data acquisition; RDBMS; Data analysis; Network data sharing; Statistical Analysis (SYSTAT; SPSS); Regression; factor analysis; Simulation Software in Water Resources:- Surface water models (HMS); Storm Water Management Models (SWMM); River Analysis system /drainage basin models (HEC-RAS, SWAT); Ground Water Flow models; Groundwater transport models.

15452Required
5WRM 705

Water Resources Planning and Management

Concepts and notions in water resources planning; Water resources planning and implementation in basins for specific context; Surface Water resources Development and Utilisation. Groundwater Resources Development and Utilisation; Planning and Management Issues; Water Management strategies.

30 2Required
6WRM 706

Water Conservation

Public access to information regarding water quality, water supply sustainability and public education, demand projections; water management efficiency; systems approach to water management; watershed protection; drinking water treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; effects of deforestation and treatment, and complex water system developments, destruction of wetlands, effects of recreation, agriculture and aquaculture on eutrophication.

30 2Required
7WRM 707

Water Governance

Elements and dimensions of water governance; Water Governance in Nigeria:- National water policies and water acts; Water regulatory authorities; Institutional arrangement and administrative controls of water service; Interstate water management initiatives; Stakeholders’ participation and case studies in water governance. Water Disputes Management, relevant case studies; Global Water Diplomacy; Multi-national water disputes and their resolution mechanisms.

30 2Required
8WRM 708

Climate Change and Water Resources

The Climate System; Climate change; Drivers, Observed and Projected Impacts; Climate Vulnerability Assessment; Climate Models; Climate Change Impact on Water Resources:- The role of hydrological cycle in the climate system; Precipitation variations and water resources; Water availability and demand in Sub-Saharan Africa; Future water challenges; Assessing impact of climate change on water resources on regional and smaller scales. Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Water resources

45 3Elective
9WRM 709

Urban and Rural Water Supply

Water Supply:- Sources; choice of water sources (springs, wells etc) and protection; forecasting population; consumption; factors effecting consumption; economics of community water supply. Urban Water Supply:- Water in the urban eco-system; Urban water resources; Major problems; Urban water demand; Urban water pricing; Types, Operation and Maintenance of Urban Water Supply Systems; Inventories and conditions assessment; Social awareness and involvement. Rural Water Supply systems.

30 2Elective
10WRM 710

Remote Sensing and GIS for Water Resources

Introduction to Remote Sensing; Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and interactions; Remote sensing platforms. Digital Image Processing; Introduction to GIS; Spatial data; Spatial Analysis; Water Resources Applications:- Spatial data sources; 4M GIS approach water resources system; Thematic maps; Watershed/ drainage net delineation; Rainfall-runoff modelling; Groundwater modelling; Water quality modelling; Flood inundation mapping and Modelling; Drought monitoring; Cropping pattern change analysis; Site selection for artificial recharge; Reservoir sedimentation.

30453Elective
11WRM 711

Freshwater Ecosystems

Fundamentals of lotic and lentic ecosystems; Elements of aquatic ecosystems (Rivers, lakes, floodplains, estuaries and coastal zones); Spatial and temporal scales in aquatic systems; Energy flow and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems; Factors influencing ecosystem functions; Interactions between humans and freshwater ecosystems (emphasis on impacts and management). Field sampling techniques and design of survey and monitoring programmes for ecosystem status.

30453Elective
12WRM 712

Integrated River Basin Management

Policy framework for integrated catchment management; strategic catchment planning (identification of pressures, management priorities and stakeholders to develop integrated solutions); natural capital and ecosystem services: policy context, role in integrated river basin management, geospatial valuation tools.

30 2Elective
13WRM 713

Coastal Morphodynamics

The concepts of coastal morphodynamics; Methods for analysing and predicting coastal change and approaches to coastal engineering and management. Basic sediment and morphological theory; Analytical and numerical models; Relevant contemporary issues (examples: shoreline management planning and impacts and responses to storm surges, sea-level rise).

30 2Elective
14GEO 716

River Basin Studies

The drainage basin as a physical unit, the parameters and their study. Development problems and practices including design and operation of comprehensive river basin development programmes, water resources and flood control systems.

45 3Elective
15GEO 717

Surface and Groundwater Hydrology

Principles of open channel flow, flood routing techniques. Simulation methods pervious impervious and semi-pervious rocks and their influence on porosity. The formation of aquifers and methods of groundwater prospecting. Instrumentation of well logging.

45 3Elective
16GEY 750

Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology

Hydrological cycle, physics of flow through porous media. Aquifer characteristics and influence of geological factors. Well sinking methods, pumping tests, saline intrusions and coastal hydraulics. Water resources systems, groundwater resources of Nigeria.

30 2Elective
17WRM 714

Water, Sanitation and Health

Introduction:- Safe Water-Health Nexus; Water-Sanitation -Health and Hygiene -Water security -Food Security; Need and Importance of WASH. Overview of water supply and sanitation in Sub-Saharan Africa/Nigeria; health aspects of water supply and sanitation; Water borne, Water washed and Water based diseases; Severity, risk analysis; surveillance, epidemiology and control of water borne diseases; Water quality standards and monitoring, education. Water and health budgeting; Planning and design of low cost sanitation.

30 2Elective
18WRM 715

Gender and Water

Basic concepts; Social Perspectives; Historical framework; Social stratification and roles; Power and authority; Equity and equality; Gender empowerment. Gender and Integrated Water Resources Management:- Gender policies in water management; Gender Competency Issues; Water rights; Legal frameworks. Gender in Global Water Scenario:- Impacts in water sector; Globalisation-Liberalisation; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Gender and capacity building; Gender analysis tools; Gender mainstreaming in Water Management.

30 2Elective
19WRM 716

Water and Environmental Law

Water Legislation in Nigeria. Water and environmental law - local to global administrative and functional levels. Water Conflicts (Global/Nigeria); Case Studies Transboundary Water Issues:- International Water Law; Emerging Principles; International Law Commission; International Treaties and Protocols; Transboundary Water Issues: Niger Waters Treaty; Sharing of Niger and Nile River Basins.

30 2Elective
20WRM 717

Water Economics

Water Rights; Water Sustainability; Stakeholders’ participation. Water demand supply and allocation. Valuing Water:- Valuation methods; Water Pricing - Approach and Models. Water pricing practices in Nigeria and globally; relevant case studies. Hydro-economic models; Economics of Water Projects. Economic Evaluation Methods.

30 2Elective
21WRM 718

Water, Food and Energy

Water, food, and energy nexus; Water for Food: Irrigation, groundwater resources, water quality and water value, food security, transboundary dynamics, fisheries, projections and challenges. Water for Energy; Energy for water; Food as Energy; Food as Water; Energy for food. Water and energy footprints of agriculture and the food industry; Constraints on water, food, and energy systems; Design, implementation, and evaluation of solutions to challenges in water, food, and energy domains.

30 2Elective
22WRM 720

Seminar

Students will research topics and organize presentations for faculty and other students. The topics on emerging and topical issues in Water Resources Management must be approved by the supervisor in advance.

 902Required
23WRM 721

Field Visits

Concurrent field practice in Water Resources Management

 902Required
24WRM 790

Project

Independent students research

 2706Compulsory

ACADEMIC MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN GEO-INFORMATION SCIENCE

Introduction

The Master’s in Geo-Information Science (GIS) is designed for students with diverse natural science and social science backgrounds who desire specialised training in the use of Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Cartography in social development, environmental and natural resource analysis and management. Future leaders and skilled professionals require spatial analytical skills beyond what is offered by most programs in the Universities in Nigeria, hence this curriculum has been structured carefully to reflect the real-world requirements needed for careers in the Geo-Information Science. Geo-Information technology is used in a wide variety of subject fields across the physical and social sciences and even in the humanities, with applicability in Archaeology, Botany, Forestry, Geology/Mining, Medicine, Transportation and Logistics, Social Development Planning, Urban Planning etc. Remote Sensing (RS) which is the analysis and interpretation of aerial and satellite imagery has transformed the manner in which Earth is viewed. The synoptic view of the Earth through RS has greatly enhanced our understanding of atmospheric and oceanic processes, sustained environmental management and the interaction of humans with the natural world. It is now a standard research tool in many fields such as Agriculture, Meteorology, Geology, Geography, Medicine among others.

Administered by the Department of Geography, but accessing interdepartmental expertise, this course will provide students with both a strong theoretical and conceptual background and vocational training in GIS, Remote Sensing and Cartography. The curriculum is designed to train students in both the underlying theory and application of remote sensing (e.g., image processing), spatial analytical methods (e.g., spatial statistics), digital cartography and geographic information systems. Students would be trained for careers in the private, public, and non-profit sectors where there is high demand for professionals with advanced technical skills who can organize and analyse spatial data sets.

Aim and Objectives of the Programme

To provide a course of instructions aimed at developing the knowledge and understanding of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing theory so as to produce highly qualified, motivated marketable graduates who will make significant contributions in industry, government, academia and other public and private services.

Specific Objectives

Upon completion of this academic postgraduate programme (M.Sc. Geo-Information Science), graduates should be able to:

  1. Understand the theoretical and practical principles and concepts that underpin the technologies of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Remote Sensing and Digital Cartography;
  2. Apply these technologies in a variety of sectors and at scales from the local to the global;
  3. Understand some basic principles and techniques of digital image analysis and spatial object visualisation;
  4. Acquire practical hands-on skills and knowledge in the application, integration and use of these technologies through a variety of methods including computational analysis, fieldwork, numerical modelling and computer programming, using several leading software and programming packages;
  5. Understand issues of good practice, key policies, strategies and infrastructures that apply to the effective and appropriate use of these technologies, and the implications of their use for society at large;
  6. Competently apply these skills to real world problems, through completion of an independent dissertation based on a directed research project.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the M.Sc. Geo-Information Science, and without any prejudice to the rules and regulations governing the award of postgraduate degrees of the University of Ibadan, a candidate must:

  1. Possess the basic degree in Social sciences or sciences or its equivalent from University of Ibadan or any other University recognised by the Senate of the University of Ibadan.
  2. Prospective candidates must have NYSC discharge certificate (for Nigerian graduates only).
  3. All candidates must satisfy other basic requirements as stipulated by the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan.

Regulations for the M.Sc. Geo-Information Science

  1. The M.Sc. Geo-Information Science shall be undertaken as a Full-Time training programme.
  2. Candidates may be admitted to part-time training programme, if they are academic staff members of the University or can satisfy the Postgraduate College requirement that facilities for their work as part-time students are adequate. Candidates applying for part-time programme may be asked to show evidence of release by their employers.

Duration and Designation of the Programme

  1. The M.Sc. Geo-Information Science shall last for a minimum of three semesters for a Full-Time study and five semesters for a Part-Time study.
  2. For Full-Time study, course work would occupy two semesters while the mandatory research project would be carried out during the third semester.
  3. For Part-Time study, course work would be taken over three semesters while the project would be done over one to two semesters.
  4. The degree shall be designated “M.Sc. Geo-Information Science”

Modes of Instruction

  1. The programme consists of course work and dissertation. Courses normally involve lectures, laboratory work, seminar/workshop and field work pursued on full-time basis. The curriculum will comprise compulsory (C), required (R) and elective (E) courses.
  2. Candidates are required to register for a minimum of 30 units and a maximum of 45 units including a research project. One unit being equivalent to a period of 15-hour lectures/tutorials or 30-hour seminars or 45-hour practical.
  3. Candidates shall conduct a research project which would carry a 6-credit unit score. A compulsory research project shall be written and this would be a requirement for the award of the degree.
  4. Candidates are expected to be examined in the courses for which they are registered at the end of the semester in which the courses are completed. The pass mark shall be 40% for compulsory courses and 30% for required courses.
  5. To qualify for the award of the Masters in Geo-Information Science, the candidate must be credited with 30 units including pass in all compulsory and required courses as well as successful presentation of a project report.
Compulsory CoursesUnits
GIF 701Fundamental of GIS3
GIF 702Principles of Remote Sensing3
GEO 783Techniques of Geographical Investigation3
GIF 704Digital Image Processing and Analysis3
GIF 790Project/Dissertation6
Required Courses 
GIF 705Data Structure and Algorithms2
GIS 730Spatial Statistics2
GIF 708Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing2
GIF 718Seminars in Geo-Information Science2
Elective Courses 
GIS 722Spatial Decision Support Systems3
GIF 709Modelling Environmental Processes3
GIF 712Spatial Database2
GIF 713Cartography2
GIF 714Geo-Information Science Applications in Environnemental Management2
GIF 715Geo-Information Science Applications in Social Development2
GIF 716Environmental Resource Survey2
GIF 717Web Cartography2
GIS 763Geomatics3

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (M.Phil.) IN GEOINFORMATION SCIENCE

The M.Phil. Geo-Information Science degree is designed for candidates with diverse natural science and social science backgrounds who could not achieve a weighted average mark of 55-59% at their M.Sc. degree examinations for M. Phil./Ph. D. degree and are willing to pursue a Ph. D. degree in Geo-Information Science.

To be eligible for admission into the M.Phil. Geo-Information Science programme, and without any prejudice to the rules and regulations governing the award of postgraduate degrees of the University of Ibadan, a candidate must:

  1. Possess a master degree in Geo-Information Science and related disciplines from University of Ibadan or any other University recognised by the Senate of the University of Ibadan.
  2. All candidates must satisfy other basic requirements as stipulated by the Postgraduate College of the University of Ibadan.

Regulations for the M.Phil. Geo-Information Science

  1. The M.Phil. Geo-Information Science shall be undertaken as a Full-Time training programme.
  2. Candidates may be admitted to part-time training programme, if they are academic staff members of the University or can satisfy the Postgraduate College requirement that facilities for their work as part-time students are adequate. Candidates applying for part-time programme may be asked to show evidence of release by their employers.
  3. An M.Phil. student’s registration shall normally lapse if the student has not fulfilled the requirements for the award of the degree after six semesters of full-time or eight semesters of part-time registration (or an equivalent period, pro-rata, for a combination of part-time and full-time registration).

Duration and Designation of the Programme

  1. The M.Phil. Geo-Information Science shall last for a minimum of three semesters for a Full-Time study and four semesters for a Part-Time study.
  2. For Full-Time study, course work would occupy two semesters while the mandatory research project would be carried out during the third semester.
  3. For Part-Time study, course work would be taken over three semesters while the project would be done over one to two semesters.
  4. An extension of no more than two semesters may, however, be granted on the recommendation of the Faculty Postgraduate committee. If the requirements for the award of a degree are still not met after the extension, the candidate shall be required to withdraw from the programme.
  5. The degree shall be designated “M.Phil. Geo-Information Science”

Examinations

  1. Candidates are expected to be examined in the courses for which they are registered at the end of the semester in which the courses are completed.
  2. The pass mark shall be 40% for compulsory and elective courses and 30% for required courses. Candidates shall be required to be credited with a minimum of 15 units including a pass in all compulsory and required courses and a successful defence of dissertation.
  3. The dissertation must be an original work based upon the analysis of data collected by field-work, from documentary sources or a combination of both.
  4. There shall be no re-sit examinations in any of the courses. A student who fails a course (including the dissertation) shall be required to re-register for the course (or dissertation) and be re-examined at the next available opportunity.

Requirements for the Award of M.Phil. in Geo-Information Science

  1. To qualify for the award of M.Phil. in Geo-Information Science the candidate shall present at least two seminars (Research Proposal and Post-Field seminar) during the course of the programme of study.
  2. The candidate is required to pass all the compulsory courses, obtain a minimum score of 40% in all compulsory courses and minimum score of 30% in required courses.
  3. The candidate shall be examined in all the courses registered for at the end of the semester in which the courses are completed. Students are expected to submit a research to be examined by a panel of examiners including an External Examiner.

List of Courses

Compulsory CoursesUnits
GIF 801Techniques of Investigation in Geo-Information Science3
GIF 890M. Phil. Dissertation6
Required Courses 
GEO 802Contemporary Research Methods in Geography3
Elective Courses 
GIF 802Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing and Analysis3
GIF 803Spatial Analysis and Modelling3

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN GEOINFORMATION SCIENCE

Admission to the Ph.D. degree programme is open to graduates of this University, who have attained a specific level of performance in the M.Sc. programme, or who hold the M.Phil. degree of other Universities in Geo-Information Science, Geography, other related Social Sciences disciplines, engineering, or sciences or its equivalent from University of Ibadan or any other University recognised by the Senate of the University of Ibadan. Based on the three semesters M.Sc. examination of this University, such candidates must have had a Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) average of 5.0 or above. Candidates having the M.Sc. degree of other Universities as well as graduates of the University of Ibadan who have 4.0 CGPA at M.Sc. degree examination are provisionally admitted for M.Phil./Ph.D. These candidates shall be assessed during the first session of registration for the purpose of converting their registration from the M.Phil./Ph.D. to the Ph.D. programme.

Regulations for the M. Phil./Ph. D. and Ph. D. Geo-Information Science

  1. The M. Phil./Ph. D. and Ph. D. Geo-Information Science shall be undertaken as a Full-Time training programme.
  2. Candidates may be admitted to part-time training programme, if they are academic staff members of the University or can satisfy the Postgraduate College requirement that facilities for their work as part-time students are adequate. Candidates applying for part-time programme may be asked to show evidence of release by their employers.

Duration and Designation of the Programme

  1. The Ph. D. Geo-Information Science shall last for a minimum of six (6) semesters for a Full-Time study and eight (8) semesters for a Part-Time study.
  2. The M. Phil./Ph. D. Geo-Information Science shall last for a minimum of six (6) semesters for a Full-Time study and twelve (10) semesters for a Part-Time study.
  3. The M. Phil./Ph. D. course work would occupy the first two semesters.
  4. The conversion shall be through a written examination and an assessment of the candidate’s project proposal. The overall pass mark for conversion from M. Phil./Ph. D. to Ph. D. shall be 60%. The written examination will be in the following courses.
Compulsory CoursesUnits
GIF 801Techniques of Investigation in Geo-Information Science3
PGC 800M. Phil./Ph. D. Graduate Research Seminar & Conversion Examination.6
Required Courses 
GEO 802Contemporary Research Methods in Geography3
Elective Courses 
GIF 802Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing and Analysis3
GIF 803Spatial Analysis and Modelling3

APPROVED CURRICULUM

Course CodeCourse title and descriptionHours of theoretical instructionHours of practical instructionUnitsStatus
GIF 701

Fundamental of Geographic Information Science

Introduction to GIS (definitions, concept and history of developments in the field of information systems), Hardware and software requirements for GIS; Coordinate System and Projections in GIS; Data structure and formats, Spatial data models – Raster and Vector, Spatial data quality and uncertainty; Data base design - editing and topology creation in GIS, Linkage between spatial and non-spatial data; Spatial data analysis, Data quality and sources of errors; Digital Elevation Model and derivation of parameters; Data analysis and modelling in GIS; Open sources software, free software and cloud computing; Overview of image processing & GIS Packages – ArcGIS, ERDAS, ENVI, MAP INFO, GEOMEDIA, IDRISI, GRASS, SAGA, QGIS

30453Compulsory
GIF 702

Principles of Remote Sensing

  • Focused on the basic radiometric concepts and physical relations required for remotely sensed data to be analysed quantitatively. Electromagnetic radiation: radiometric units and terms, radiation laws, radiation sources optical, thermal and microwave. Surface interactions. Plant, soil and water spectral properties. Atmospheric interactions and correction. Spatial resolution and geometry. Orbits and platforms. Review of satellite and airborne systems. Sensors and platforms. Interpretation of spectral response patterns. Remote sensing applications
30453Compulsory
GEO 781

Techniques of Geographical Investigation

Analysis of statistical and geographical series; Advanced methods in Multivariate analysis (multiple regression, factor and principal components, trend surface and linear discriminant analysis etc.) Spatial Autocorrelation, Variogram and Semi-variogram, Statistical and Mathematical modeling (Monte Cardo Simulation. Markov processes), Regionalisation and grouping Techniques. Computer application in spatial data analysis using SPSS, GeoDA, ArcGIS and QGIS software. A brief introduction to R-Language for Spatial Data Analysis.

30453Compulsory
GIS 762

Digital Image Processing and Analysis

  • Principles of optical and radar image formation, image characteristics, statistics and visualisation. Radiometric, spectral and spatial image enhancement. Contrast stretching, digital filtering in the spatial. Geometric correction: map projections, selection of ground control points, transform equations, resampling methods (nearest neighbour, bilinear interpolation, cubic convolution). Supervised and unsupervised image classification: parametric and non-parametric techniques, clustering, segmentation, pixel and object-based approaches and validation (accuracy assessment). Post processing, processing chains, change detection, Cellular Automata, CA-Markov
30453Compulsory
GIS 712

Data Structure and Algorithms

Data structures; data formats; data storage; data standards; spatial and non-spatial data; spatial querying; analysis techniques – reclassification, overlay, proximity, mensuration, visualisation, map algebra; hardware and software; system specification; projections; datums; spheroids. Raster and Vector Structures and Algorithms. Surfaces, Volumes and Time Data Structures. Storage of Complex Objects. Databases for GIS. Managing and modelling Errors.

30453Required
GIS 730

Spatial Statistics

Variograms and Covariance functions, kriging, Spatial Error and Lag regression model and smoothing methods. Areal data analysis including neighbourhoods, testing for Spatial association, global and local tests of association; disease mapping. Density analysis, principal component analysis, cluster analysis and geographically weighted regression. Point Process data: types of spatial patterns, CSR and tests. Bayesian methods for spatial stat, Bayesian disease mapping. Spatio-temporal modelling. Statistical data, skewness, moments and kurtosis, Matrix algebra, time series, correlation, regression, sampling, distribution, multivariate statistics

15903Required
GIS 722

Spatial Decision Support Systems

Decision making processes, Spatial decision making, Decision Support Systems, Multi-criteria Evaluation, Methods and tools for collaborative Decision-making. Consensus Evaluation, Analytical Hierarchical Process. Coupling of GIS models with analytical models to facilitate processes of decision-making.

30453Elective
GIF 708

Programming for GIS and Remote Sensing

Introduction to Python and Java scripting, write source codes for GIS basic functions; customize GIS Programs, Introduction to R for spatial analysis, Introduction to Google Earth Engine

30-2Required
GIF 709

Modelling Environmental Processes

  • An introduction to the full suite of environmental models and modelling methods that are currently used to describe and predict environmental processes and outcomes. Lectures will cover examples of models applied in climate, soil, water, natural ecosystems and atmosphere and others. Mechanistic, semi-empirical and empirical models. Their strengths and weaknesses and application. System analysis and numerical solutions. Identifying what makes models powerful. Predictions, Scenario and Sensitivity testing. Recognizing limits and uncertainties; validating the model. Recognizing the importance of good data.
30-3Elective
GIF 712

Spatial Database

Database structures – ordered and indexed lists, hierarchical, network, relational, object-oriented, hybrid structure. Metadata – standards and practice, creation, maintenance, distribution and control. Systems analysis and analysis approaches – methods for designing computerised spatial systems. Object Orientation – theory and practice. Data specification formats, interoperability and handling of geographic data. INSPIRE and the Spatial Data Infrastructure. Industry standard database management systems – Oracle and SQL. Open-Source geospatial database management systems – Postgres/Post GIS and SQL

30-2Elective
GIF 713

Cartography

This will enable students to design more effective and aesthetically pleasing map outputs, and gain a deeper understanding of the mapping process, Definition of map, components of maps. Map as a storage and communication media. Geo-Visualisation Techniques in Thematic mapping (Dasymetric, Isarithmic maps, Choropleths, etc). Map project and transformation. Visualisation of spatial data. Tutorial using ArcGIS and QGIS software

30-2Elective
GIF 714

Geo-Information Science Applications in Environnemental Management

Applications issues in Environmental management related to landscape ecology, Hydrology and Water resources management, Soil and Geomorphology, Geology, Forestry management, Climate change, etc

30-2Elective
GIF 715

Geo-Information Science Applications in Social Development

Application issues in sustainable Urban management and governance, Health and epidemiology, transport and network management, demography, crime and security management, agriculture and food security, gender, trade and economic development, political analysis, land governance and administration, etc

30-2Elective
GIF 716

Environmental Resource Survey

  • Survey strategies for environmental resources: census with thematic mapping, ground sampling, sampling with property mapping, integrated ground sampling and property mapping. Development of classification schemes. Sampling and rapid estimates; count plot methods, plotless sample technique, soil and water survey techniques. Assessment of existing data quality and use in survey design. Statistical design and analysis for environmental resource surveys. Quality assessment of environmental data. Introduction to interpolation methods.
30-2Elective
GIF 717

Web Cartography

  • Principles of web mapping development.
  • Introduction to HTML. Review of Internet mapping technologies and solutions: Google Maps/Earth API; ESRI JavaScript and Flex API; Open Layers API; Leaflet API; ArcGIS for Server. Introduction to XML/XSLT, GeoJSON. Proprietary and Open-source toolkits. Case study applications of Internet mapping: local authorities, location-based services.
30-2Elective
GIF 718

Seminars in Geo-Information Science

All students take turns to present their mid-term progress reports on their chosen Research topics and term papers before panels and Supervisors for assessment. Attendance at each seminar is mandatory for all students.

30-2Required
GIS 763

Geomatics

Linear and angular measurement, triangulation and traversing, cut and fill, Global Positioning Systems, levelling, topographical surveying with Total Station etc.

15903Elective
GIF 790

Research Project

A substantial, planned programme of research that develops to a high level: personal, generic skills; research skills; and specialist knowledge and understanding of a selected subject area. The Dissertation is prepared under the individual guidance and supervision of a member of staff

-2706Compulsory
GEO 802

Contemporary Research Methods in Geography

Familiarity with appropriate range of intellectual and methodological traditions in Geography. Capacity development to frame research questions, to derive appropriate research designs. Development of competence and confidence in using a range of both qualitative and quantitative methods of gathering, analysing and interpreting evidence. Development of capability to manage research, including data management, conducting and disseminating research, working in a team, and understanding codes of research practice and research ethics. Gain practical experience of geographical research through conducting small-scale research project(s), chiefly through thesis

45 3Required
GIF 801

Techniques of Investigation in Geo-Information Science

The methodology of the natural and social sciences. Research process. Critical thinking in Geo-Information Science. The logic and testing of hypotheses. Design of models and experiments. Laws and Theories in Geo-Information Science, space/time Concepts. Analysis of statistical and geographical series; Advanced methods in Multivariate analysis. Spatial Autocorrelation, Variogram and Semi-variogram, Statistical and Mathematical modeling, Regionalisation and grouping Techniques. Computer application in spatial data analysis using SPSS, GeoDA, ArcGIS and QGIS software. A brief introduction to R-Language for Spatial Data Analysis.

30453Compulsory
GIF 802

Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing and Analysis

Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing and Analysis, Electromagnetic radiation: radiometric units and terms, radiation laws, radiation sources optical, thermal and microwave. Spatial resolution and geometry. Orbits and platforms. Sensors and platforms. Interpretation of spectral response patterns. Remote sensing applications. Contrast stretching, digital filtering in the spatial domain. Supervised and unsupervised image classification: parametric and non-parametric techniques, clustering, segmentation, pixel and object-based approaches and validation.

30453Elective
GIF 803

Spatial Analysis and Modelling

Geographic distribution of social phenomena; Analyses of socio-spatial phenomena. Multi-criteria evaluation, Hydrological modelling, river modelling, GIS analysis, and in water scarcity. Spatial, spectral and radiometric image correlation and calibrations image registration, Supervised and Unsupervised. Classification. Land use/cover mapping. Vegetation and water indices. Data editing, data analysis using various overlay techniques. Google Earth and Global Positioning System (GPS) for spatial data capture.

15903Elective
GIF 890M. Phil Dissertation 2706Compulsory