SUMMARY
The article is devoted to the issue of using open geographic information systems in training of the students majoring in «Computer Sciences» particularly in the framework of «Geographic information systems» discipline. The objectives, the task and the place of "Geographic information systems" discipline in the system of training the students of IT specialties have been determined. The analysis of curricula of several domestic higher education institutions that provide training in computer sciences has shown the prevailing orientation of using the proprietary geoinformation systems and technologies in the educational process. In the authors’ opinion, it sufficiently narrows the didactic potential of the «Geographic information systems» discipline reducing the level of its information saturation. It is proposed to use open geo-information systems in the learning process, which will create conditions for more qualitative and productive students’ understanding of creation, operation and implementation of geo-information systems to address real-world applied issues. A comparative analysis of the most worldwide open-source desktop geographic information systems has been conducted in order to identify their potential for the use of training. The directions of using open geo-information systems from the point of view of organizational process as well as from the perspective of training efficiency are described. The advantages and disadvantages of leveraging open geographic information systems, namely: QGIS, GRASS GIS, Whitebox GAT, Saga GIS, gvSiG, ILWIS, uDIG, MapWindow GIS for the teaching of the «Geographic Information Systems» discipline have been determined. The authors recommend to use such open geographic information systems as uDIG, QGIS, Whitebox GAT in the teaching of the university discipline at the start of educational courses; the choice of geographic information systems for senior students is limited solely to the goals and objectives set by the university teachers to future professionals in computer sciences.