Teaching Geographic Information Science and Technology in Catalonia (2006-2009): A quantitative approach

The article summarizes the results of a survey conducted of all the Catalonian training centers that have given higher education or specialized or related courses in Geographic Information Science and Technology (GIST) from 2006 to 2009. The study provides more thorough knowledge of this discipline in our country thanks to the 76 responses obtained (54% of all respondents). The results show that a large number of students are involved in GIST (an estimated total of 6,457), many of which are of non-Catalonian origin. The results also show that 42% of the geography departments in higher education institutions have taught GIST content in a wide variety of degree programs, mostly in second and third year compulsory courses. As regards course content, there was a predominance of content related to geographical information systems, followed by cartography and to a smaller degree by remote sensing. The study shows that GIST was widely introduced and increased in importance from 2006 to 2009 in higher education in Catalonia.