Innovation in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance | MSc

Welcome to MSc Innovation in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

The Innovation in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance MSc (ISR) is designed to bring together practitioners from a wide area of ISR systems in a comprehensive academic programme. The programme has been developed in order to provide a route by which military personnel of appropriate experience and expertise can obtain an in-service academic qualification.

The course is designed to integrate military training and education within an academic framework. Students combine the study of specialist subject matter within an academic framework, which provides opportunity for critical and analytical engagement. Through this programme students can validate their expertise and experience and obtain recognised qualifications which also have credibility outside the military sphere.

Please contact us for further details:

Programme Leader: Dr Steven Paget

email: SPaget@lincoln.ac.uk

How You Study

This course aims to develop the knowledge, skills and a critical understanding of ISR within the wider Intelligence Systems environment. It also provides the opportunity to develop a thorough technological understanding of hardware and software systems, in a range of environments and across a wide range of platforms used in this field. This can be achieved by studying and researching a range of key disciplines, reflecting, researching and critically evaluating doctrine and procedures within the ISR sphere of operations.

Students experience a combination of different techniques including a "hands-on" practical approach to scenarios and workshops, debates, lectures and personal research. Students will be expected to examine and professionally evaluate operational and technical aspects of ISR management by reflection and the preparation of essays, presentations and research projects.

Analytical skills are developed by critically evaluating thinking, action and structural factors operating in the area of ISR, including underlying assumptions, and identifying implications for wider systems that extend the area of practice. The development of practical skills is progressive and is supported with mentor guidance and supporting material. Individual lecturers will have different areas of expertise and will employ a wide variety of teaching strategies enhancing the experience and providing a range of teaching approaches to the programme.

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Advanced ISR Management 2021-22CMP9129MLevel 72021-22This module provides the opportunity for students to explore advanced concepts surrounding the tactical application of ISR. Students are expected to appraise the processes and methods associated with planning operations while evaluating the associated planning model. In addition, this module provides students with the chance to consolidate the knowledge and skills developed in earlier modules. Students can also engage in planning the tactical application of ISR, generating associated documents, plans and briefs through delivery of a dynamic exercise.CoreIntelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Foundation 2021-22CMP9125MLevel 72021-22This module provides students with the opportunity to develop a foundation knowledge of the processes and principles of Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR). The module will guide students through the principles of weapons employment, the intelligence cycle, and provide an understanding of the structure of multi-national intelligence organisations and the fundamentals of ISR management.CoreISR Management 2021-22CMP9126MLevel 72021-22This module explores the concepts and capabilities of the various types of intelligence, the concepts, operation and performance of intelligence gathering technologies, and the functions and considerations of ISR/ISTAR within LAND formations.CoreMulti-platform ISR Technologies 2021-22CMP9130MLevel 72021-22This module aims to develop core skills and knowledge and an understanding of an operational ISR environment, evaluating the application of tactics across multi-platform ISR technologies. Students will be expected to develop a full appreciation of contemporary and emerging ISR technologies and estimate the impact these will have upon the joint environment.CoreProject 2021-22CMP9131MLevel 72021-22This module presents students with the opportunity to evaluate theory and the application of in a practical context, focusing on an area of particular personal and professional interest, through the development of a dissertation and normally a substantive systems implementation. The research project is an individual piece of work, which provides the chance for students to apply and integrate elements of study from a range of modules, centred on a specific research question or questions formulated by the student with support from a supervisor. Students are normally required to undertake the creation of a project that is both non-trivial in scale and goals and supported by the appropriate adaptation and use of theoretical frameworks. The work should also normally draw upon and enrich students' own experiences.CoreResearch Methods 2021-22CMP9128MLevel 72021-22This module is designed to cover the fundamental skills and background knowledge that students need to undertake research related to the title of the award being studied, including: surveying literature; selecting and justifying a research topic; planning of research; selection of appropriate research methods; evaluation of research; presentation and reporting of research; and legal, social, ethical and professional considerations.CoreTactical Applications of ISR 2021-22CMP9127MLevel 72021-22This module will explore the varying applications of ISR, focusing on different agencies and organisation in a comparative study. Students can explore the management and application of ISR within the US Military complex alongside the functional ISR capabilities of the Met Police. Students will also have the chance to evaluate generic ISR effects, contextualising these effects through exploration of the explicit ISR requirements of the naval fleet.Core

How you are assessed

Assessments take place towards the end of the study module encouraging consolidation of knowledge and skills developed during the module intensive delivery period. All study modules include coursework elements for both summative and formative assessment.

Reports and assignments are used to assess knowledge and understanding, critical analysis, development of reasoned argument and synthesis of conclusions. Oral presentation skills are assessed in the context of consideration of professional issues when students present to peers the results of some group work. Practical implementation assignments assess both programming and design skills.

Feedback on coursework may be provided via written comments on work submitted, by provision of 'model' answers or through discussion in tutorials.

Assessment Feedback

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Career Opportunities and Professional Development

This course has been developed in order to provide a route by which military personnel of appropriate experience and expertise can obtain a credible in-service academic qualification. Students combine the study of specialist subject matter within an academic framework, which provides opportunity for critical and analytical engagement. Through this programme students can validate their expertise and experience and obtain recognised qualifications which also have credibility outside the military sphere.

International Postgraduate Taught Application Deadline

Please note that international applications for taught postgraduate programmes starting in September 2022 have now closed.

Entry Requirements 2021-22

The programme is only available to those applicants who are currently serving military personnel with ISR experience or those who have recently left the armed forces but are employed in an associated relevant profession. Normally applicants will have a first degree (usually at 2:1 or greater) and/or appropriate experience in the related military field.

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, you can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study. Learn how Master's and PhD loans, scholarships, and studentships can help you fund your studies on our Postgraduate Fees and Funding pages.

Programme Fees

Programme-Specific Additional Costs

For each course you may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required. With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and you will find that our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that you are required to read. However, you may prefer to purchase some of these for yourself and you will be responsible for this cost.

Key Information

MSc Innovation in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance