This course will enable you to develop a high level understanding of quantitative and computational geographical methods. This includes skills in GIS software and statistical programming languages, such as R or Python.IntroductionWithin an applied setting, you will develop skills in the visualisation, modelling and statistical analysis of conventional and novel sources of data, ranging from censuses and social surveys through to satellite imagery and social media using both web-based and traditional techniques.More about Data Science and Analytics for SocietyHuman activity is increasingly associated with the generation of large volumes of data. For example, transactional data collated by retailers for marketing and store location purposes, administrative data assembled to help with the efficient running of public services, data shadows created through social media use, and an increased prevalence of smart-card linked transport systems record our travel behaviours.Many grand human challenges concern problems of a geographical nature be this how we can mitigate the human impact of climate change ensure global food and water security design energy systems that are resilient within the context of future population dynamics or, how to design future cities where spatial inequities in health and wellbeing might be eradicated. The growing volumes of big data about the form, function and dynamics of human activities are providing new opportunities to advance such debates within a framework of Geographic Data Science.Please note: We constantly review and develop our postgraduate programmes. This MSc is also available with the alternative title Geographic Data Science MSc for entry September 2025, and gives students the option to graduate with either of these two MSc titles.What you'll learnHow the modern GIS toolkit can be integrated with Data Science tools to solve practical real-world problemsYou’ll gain the practical ability to apply GIS in the handling and analysis of spatial data in a context of planning and social sciencesResearch methodology, philosophy, strategy and design, and to the ethical and practical considerations associated with conducting research