Program Overview

Geographical Information System

The course provides advanced knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), primarily with applications within environmental science, including ecology and geoscience.

About the Course

The course focuses on theoretical knowledge within GIS, in addition to practical applications of various GIS programs in order to process and analyze various types of spatial data with a focus on raster data and point data to create maps. The course assumes that the student has a basic understanding of the following aspects within GIS: projections and coordinate systems, processing of vector data including selections from attribute tables, editing vector data and attribute tables, digitizing new vector files, georeferencing, and vector analyses. The course focuses on processing and various types of analyses of raster data, including digital elevation models, remote sensing, interpolations, hydrological analyses, etc.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three modules of 5 ECTS each.

• Module 1: Practical exercises focus on practical exercises by learning to conduct advanced spatial analyses with a focus on raster data in various GIS software in lectures and lab exercises.
• Module 2: Theoretical elements focus on understanding the theory behind GIS analyses and how they are used in scientific studies, through lectures and seminars.
• Module 3: Project includes a project where the students obtain their spatial data to answer their questions.

Course Details

• Starts: 19 January 2026
• Ends: 23 March 2026
• Number of credits: 15 credits
• Type of studies: On site
• Teaching hours: Daytime
• Study location: Umeå
• Language: English
• Application code: UMU-50702

Eligibility

• Univ: Diversity of Nature, 15 ECTS, Earth Science 15 ECTS and Ecology 15 ECTS, or GIS 7,5 ECTS.
• Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
• Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies.

Selection

• Academic credits
• Application deadline was 15 October 2025.
• Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

Application and Tuition Fees

• Application fee: SEK 900
• Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 38,075
• Total fee: SEK 38,075

Department

The course is given by the Department of Ecology, Environment and Geoscience.