Geographical Information Systems BSc(Hons): Field trips

Fieldwork is an important part of our GIS teaching because it:

• deepens your understanding;
• brings the subject to life in an exciting way; and
• familiarises you with a range of techniques to gather field data (including traditional methods, as well as global positioning systems (GPS) and related mobile technologies).

As well as the main excursions outlined below, you'll also go on other shorter trips to see how GIS is used in a variety of organisations. These might include visiting the Ordnance Survey headquarters in Southampton, the Royal Military Survey, BBC headquarters, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Kingston Borough Council or the UK Hydrographic Office.

Currently all fieldwork at Years 1 and 2 is fully paid for by the University (minus spending money!).

Year 1

Isle of Wight

In the autumn, the entire School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, more than 100 people, visits the Isle of Wight for a long weekend. This is a great opportunity to get to know other students and meet staff informally. 

You'll get started on some mapping exercises and take part in a range of activities, including:

• mental mapping;
• data gathering;
• interpretation of remotely sensed imagery; and
• plenty of social events!

Gower Peninsular

In semester 2 you can attend a field course on the beautiful Gower Peninsular. Here you will study important aspects of human and physical geography to give you a broader understanding of the data you use in GIS analysis. One of the main activities on this trip is the mapping of long-distance footpaths using GPS technology.

Year 2

Malta

In early June, the geography and GIS students all go to Malta for 10 days. Here you take part in activities to explore heritage tourism, Maltese economic development and transhipment. 

For the GIS students, there is a visit to the Maltese Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) to look at the way the Maltese map and plan on the island using GIS. MEPA staff also take part in surveying activities later in the trip with us. 

Exercises also include:

• local surveying;
• land use surveying and assessment;
• topographic mapping using GPS;
• offshore bathymetric mapping; and
• a day off cruising the Mediterranean! 

Visits to many of Malta's most important sights are included in the itinerary and you will have the chance to use state-of-the-art equipment in a range of contexts.

Year 3

Global Environments, Strategic Assessment

In the third year, you have the chance to take an optional module based on a field course to a long-haul destination. The trip provides an opportunity to explore human and physical environments that contrast with our British and European perspectives and also to see how GIS is implemented elsewhere. Recent trips have taken students to:

• South Africa;
• Morocco;
• south west USA (Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Hoover Dam and Las Vegas); and
• Australia.