My interest in geographic information system or "GIS" for short started as an extension to the Planning Permission database managment system which I was directed to during my service at Selangor State Town and Country Planning Department in 1997. Chances to study abroad was dashed when the government froze all overseas applications. I've ended up currently enrolled full-time in a Masters Course in Remote Sensing   & GIS at Putra University Malaysia. There are some benefits though. For one, this won't affect the off-campus course my wife is currently taking. Then I have friends who can help me locally. Data collection would also be easier. Lastly, my many social obligations will also be easier to handle. But my brain is definitely rusty so I hope I don't end up swallowing more than I can chew.

The title of my thesis is called "THE USE OF GIS AS A SPATIAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM: Processing Planning Applications in Hilly Areas" and like most thesis, covers  six chapters:

Chapter 1    Introduction
Chapter 2     Literature Review
Chapter 3    Materials and Methods
Chapter 4    Results
Chapter 5    Discussion
Chapter 6    Summary

Tips

1. The "Guide To The Preparation of Thesis" produced by the Graduate School from UPM is a compulsory buy to guide one in the preparation of a thesis. Buy one early.
2. Searching for references especially journals on GIS is difficult in KL. This was even acknowledged by the GIS lecturers. Two places recommended by my course coordinator are the library at Jab. Ukur and MACRES. I made Jab. Ukur's library  at Jalan Semarak my base for a couple of weeks and in my opinion is very good. Some journals like GeoWorld have been binded since the early 90's.
3. Look up FAQs URLs in the internet on GIS.

Current Status

I just had my oral presentation regrading my literature review on 30.10.99. No comments from the panel, I believe they are more interested in the juicy part of the thesis ie. the actual project and stuff like  the methodology etc.etc. which will be the next semester's material. Was given the green light to continue to the next semester last week.