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MTech GIS
MTech Geographic Information Systems
MTech Geographic Information Systems - Programme Overview
NU believes that partnerships with global organisations are a necessity to keep the GIS curriculum and facilities updated. As a result, the NU M.Tech GIS Programme is offered with support from Esri Inc., California, USA- the world’s leading organisation in the development of GIS software and Esri India. Several other GIS organisations involved in GIS development and its application in India and abroad are also expected to join and support this unique research-driven and industry-linked programme in the near future. Meritorious students also receive support in terms of scholarships sponsored by Esri Inc. California.
The Programme enables professionals to start a challenging and rewarding career in the rapidly emerging area of GIS. Professionals pursuing this programme get a comprehensive exposure to GIS components like Geospatial Modelling and Database, Cartography, GIS Programming, Remote Sensing for GIS and relevant elective courses like GIS and Urban Planning, Advanced GIS Platform Programming (Mobile, Web and Cloud), Geoinformatics for Environment, etc. The Programme focuses on spatial visualization, technology and applications of GIS, GPS fundamentals and techniques, Geospatial Project Management and field techniques like exploring Geospatial nature of regions, economy, demography, occupation profile, applications of GIS for humanities, and more. Graduates become fully prepared for positions as GIS Project Managers, Application Specialists, System Engineers and GIS Business Development Managers. They also have the option of pursuing Doctoral Research at NU
NU’s Geographic Information Systems Vision
NU’s Geographic Information Systems Mission
- To provide cutting-edge education in GIS, fostering technological proficiency and critical thinking.
- To engage in groundbreaking research and innovative projects that address real-world spatial challenges in collaboration with government, industry and society.
- To cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and support startups in the geospatial domain.
- To develop responsible global citizens by integrating seamless geospatial understanding and practices in addressing environmental and societal issues.
Programme outcomes
Programme specific outcomes
Key differentiators
The programme is a perfect blend of curriculum, entailing classroom sessions, virtual classroom, internship and knowledge & skills in GIS area with strong industry practice and novel research. The programme is uniquely designed to provide academic competencies, workplace competencies, industry-wide technical competencies, industry-sector technical competencies and management competencies.
The first three semesters are devoted to theoretical and hands-on laboratory training of core and advanced GI Science and GI technology courses. The last semester is for industrial internship where students will be working on real-life projects leading to the completion of the programme. Thus, the MTech in GIS programme is the sum total of education measures undertaken to develop industry-ready GIS professionals. The overwhelming emphasis, therefore, is to ensure that all students ‘Learn to Learn’.
- On-campus component: NU firmly believes that experiential hands-on learning should be an integral part of all its courses. Students spend an entire year in the campus to carry out laboratory work. NU’s laboratories are designed more in the form of Industry Innovation Centres rather than just the laboratories. Further, the activities are designed as mini projects than isolated exercises.
- Virtual classroom component: NU has fully equipped web-conferencing studios to enable two-way interaction with its students located anywhere on the globe. This component is used to deliver lectures and carry out one-to-one student mentoring and guiding, as well as interacting with industry-supervisors in the fourth semester.
Apart from the core faculty, NU also has a vast network of global professionals drawn from the industry and academia who participate actively in the GIS Programme.
Key Highlights of the Programme:
- In-depth curriculum covering GIS software, spatial databases, remote sensing, GPS, web mapping, and spatial modelling.
- Exposure to state-of-the-art technologies including AI/ML integration with geospatial data, UAV-based data collection, and satellite image processing.
- Field-based learning and real-world project work to build hands-on experience in diverse ecosystems and landscapes.
- Interdisciplinary approach combining computer science, environmental science, and data analytics.
- Guest lectures, industry internships, and collaborative research opportunities with leading national and international organizations.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates from this programme are well-equipped to pursue careers in:
- Government and policy-making bodies (e.g., ISRO, NRSC, FSI, ICAR)
- Environmental and agricultural consultancy firms
- Geo-intelligence and analytics companies
- Research and academic institutions
- NGOs and international development organizations
Why Choose NIIT University for GIS?
NIIT University provides a future-ready learning environment that emphasizes innovation, sustainability, and industry relevance. With a campus located in a living laboratory of diverse terrains and ecological zones, students benefit from immersive fieldwork opportunities and contextual learning. The university’s strong faculty expertise and technology-driven pedagogy ensure that students are not only academically grounded but also professionally competent and socially responsible.
Programme outline
| Course Category | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses (CC) | 26 |
| Professional Electives (PE) | 6 |
| Open Electives (OE) | 6 |
| Management (MGT) | 3 |
| Industry/Research Linked (IP/RP) | 32 |
| Humanities and Social Science (HSS) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 76 |
Professional electives
- GIS 631: Geoinformatics for Environment
- GIS 631: Geoinformatics for Environment
- GIS 5112: Geoinformatics for Disaster Management
Professional core courses
- GIS for Humanities and Social Sciences
- Cartography and Photogrammetry
- Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
- GIS, Geospatial Databases and Technology Trends
- GIS Programming
- Geostatistics, Geocomputation and Spatial Analysis
- Advanced Remote Sensing and Digital Photogrammetry
- Advanced GIS Programming
- Geospatial Field Techniques and Application Integration
Open electives
- MGT 601: Business Environment and Fundamentals of Management
- CS 342: Artificial Neural Network
Programme architecture
Year I (Semester I & Semester II)
| # | Course Code | Course | L | T | P | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GIS 581 | Cartography and UAV Systems | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 2 | GIS 511 | Remote sensing and Digital Image Processing | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | GIS 521 | GIS, Geospatial Databases and Technology Trend | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | GIS 591 | Artificial Intelligence in GIS | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | GIS 5101 | AI Powered Advanced Earth Observation Systems | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | TA 531 | Oral and Written Communication | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 16 | 1 | 10 | 22 |
| # | Course Code | Course | L | T | P | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GIS 561 | GeoAI for Spatial Data Analysis | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 2 | GIS 542 | GIS Project Management- I | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Professional Elective – 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 4 | Professional Elective – 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 5 | Open Elective – 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 6 | GIS 592 | New Technology Trends and Best Practices | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | 0 | 14 | 22 |
Year II (Semester III & Semester IV)
| Code | Course Title | L | T | P | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU 671/NU 681 | Industry Practice I / Research Practice I | 16 | |||
| Semester Credits | 16 |
| # | Course code | Course | L | T | P | C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NU 632/NU642 | Industry Practice II / Research Practice II | 16 | ||||
| Semester Credits | 16 |