Cartography and Geoinformation (Master)

The master’s programme in Cartography and Geoinformation aims at equipping students with competences in cartography and spatial information processing and all related economic and practical aspects, thereby preparing them for their future profession or a related doctoral programme, as well as for lifelong learning. Graduates have all the necessary skills to deal with a modern multimedia working environment and the most important hardware and software components. They know how to identify and analyse suitable geodata according to space, subject and time as object information for modelling and visualisation. Furthermore, they are able to handle databases and geographical information systems with confidence, conduct rule-based graphical data processing of all forms and for all user groups, and use publication media, ranging from print media to diverse electronic media (including web publishing). They also learn to analyse the socio-political implications of different techniques and methods used to process and visualise geodata in a critical way (in particular from a gender perspective).

Study Programme

The master’s programme has the following structure: Six elective modules (students have to select four) on subjects such as geodata acquisition and administration, analysis and modelling in geographic information processing, cartographic design principles, geo-multimedia. Two further elective modules – module 5 and 6 - have to be selected from the courses offered in related neighbouring disciplines (option a): computer science, mathematics, photogrammetry and remote sensing, economics, business administration, law (e.g. media law), philosophy and theory of science. Students may also apply for an elective module from another related neighbouring discipline. Option b) provides students with the opportunity to select a subject-related elective module from one of the following three master’s programmes: Geography, Regional Research and Regional Planning, or Cartography and Geoinformation. Option c) is a free elective module, meaning that students can freely combine individual courses. However, these courses have to be a useful addition to the programme outcome. Students may select them from the range of courses offered by related disciplines or the master’s programmes of the Geography Directorate of Studies. In addition, the curriculum includes courses on special topics in cartography and geoinformation, field trips, seminars and a master’s thesis.