Peking University

Geographical Imformation Science

I. Major Introduction

Geographic information science mainly studies the theory and method of capturing, managing, checking, analyzing, sharing, apply and visualizing spatial information, is the core technology of national and regional major information construction projects such as e-Government, digital city, digital industries, and digital battlefield, has broad public application prospects, and is an emerging and rapidly developing high-tech interdisciplinary subject.

The Department of Spatial Information Science and Technology has formed disciplinary advantages  in GIS, remote sensing, and satellite navigation application system. It sets undergraduate major in geographic information science, has 2 master stations, 2 doctoral stations and post-doctoral moving stations in cartography and geographic information system profession (science) and photogrammetry and remote sensing professional (engineering). During the “Sixth Five” and “Twelfth Five” period, it undertook scores of national 973, 863 Hi-Tech development programs and national scientific supporting (tackling) projects in remote sensing, GIS, satellite navigation, and other domains, and other key programs and international cooperation projects, as well as key and surface projects supported by the National Natural Science Fund. It has received 9 National Prizes for Progress in Science and Technology, more than 30 Ministerial and Provincial Level Technology Awards, and 2 national excellent course awards.

Geographic information science is a national key discipline. The department is abundant in professional teachers, currently including 9 professors, 2 distinguished researchers, 1 chair professor of the Yangtze River; 14 associate professors (including 1 New Century Excellent Talent in University of Ministry of Education of China), 86% are with senior posts; 1 has intermediate title, 24 teachers have doctorates, accounting for 83% of the total teaching staff; and 3 supporting staff. It sets teaching and research section of GIS, teaching and research section of photogrammetry and remote sensing, GIS software and technology, satellite navigation application, imaging and calibration technology, ecological and environmental remote sensing, digital earth, space information application project, and other research sections and 3S central laboratories.

The Department of Geographic Information Science aims at training high-level and innovative  personnel in spatial information science and technology, attaches importance to cultivate students’ sound and wide knowledge, theory and skills in spatial information science basics, master computer network, applied program design and development technologies, and be capable of developing and applying GIS, as well as acquiring, processing and applying remote sensing data. The main courses are: advanced mathematics, general physics, discrete mathematics, calculation mathematics, introduction to computers, operating system principle, computer network, program design, data structure, software engineering, introduction to database, computer graphics, introduction to geoscience, municipal and regional science, environmental and ecological science, natural geography and geomorphology base, geographic science progress, cartography, introduction to remote sensing, introduction to metrology, introduction to GIS, GIS design, network base and WebGIS, remote sensing digital image processing, GPS measurement and data processing, image processing, experiment of remote sensing digital image processing, and so on. The training program has designed multiple applied technology courses, and graduates have strong adaptability in knowledge structure and ability, therefore the employment prospects are very broad.

Graduates are suitable to be engaged in related research, teaching, technology development and management in government departments of information and communications, urban and regional planning, land and resources, environment, transport, tourism, aviation, public safety, military, marine, water and many other areas, research institutes and IT companies. Over 70% graduates of this major will be recommended for master degrees without taking tests, among which a considerable number of outstanding graduates can be recommended to directly study for PHD without taking tests, or apply to go abroad for further study.

II. Training Requirements and Targets of This Major

Through four years of learning, students can get sound political ideas, morality, cultural taste, and physical and psychological quality-oriented education, master the basic knowledge, theory, working method, and technology skills of GIS, remote sensing data acquisition and processing, computer software design and space information application, understand the contemporary research status and development direction of Earth and space information science, have the basic capability to conduct teaching, scientific research, technology development, and administrative management in geographic information science profession, providing good education of basic professional knowledge and basic skills training for students who are interested in further study. Through the training of this major, students are able to achieve the following objectives:

1. Master the basic theories and knowledge in mathematics, basic physics, computer science and technology, geoscience and other aspects, and have basic foreign language (English) listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills;

2. Grasp the basic theories and knowledge of GIS, cartography, remote sensing, navigation and location, as well as the basic skills of GIS program design and development, remote sensing image data processing, and computer cartography;

3. Master the basic methods of information query, document retrieval and applying modern information technology to obtain relevant information, have certain ability in experimental design, creating experimental conditions, summarizing, organizing, and analyzing test results, writing academic papers, and participating in international and domestic conferences for academic exchanges;

4. Understand the theories, technology frontiers, applications and the latest development dynamics of GIS, remote sensing (Earth observation) and satellite navigation, as well as the industrialization development of GIS.

III. Awarded Degree

   Bachelor of Science

IV.  Credit Requirement and Course Setting  

Total credits: 145 credits, among which: 

1．89 credits for compulsory courses;

2．50 credits for optional courses；

3．Graduation dissertation/design 6 credits；

4．Other studies（such as scientific research training, social internship and practice, off-campus study and exchange, etc.)