Cartography

The program in cartography covers knowledge of and competencies in the visual representation, analysis and exploration of the digital Earth, together with its spatiotemporal elements and circumstances. The content of the program focuses chiefly on methods and applications in the areas of data modelling, data analysis and the visualization of geographical information.

The master's program in Cartography is devoted, in particular, to answering complex questions relating to the spatiality of a globalized and digitalized society. As such, it considers how the cartographic visualization and analysis of our environment is gaining an ever greater significance in many disciplines – from environmental and climate protection to geology, spatial planning or agriculture and forestry.

In addition to conveying the fundamentals of the discipline and its methodologies, the program concentrates on the readable, aesthetic, and user-friendly visualization of geographical data, as well as the development of new methods of representation in the area of modern cartography (Web and Internet cartography).

Given the program's international character, each semester takes place at a different partner university. As an international master's, the program is taught entirely in English.

Which further expertise and skills will I acquire?

Graduates of the international master program Cartography have in-depth competence in the entire field of cartography. Fundamental knowledge in spatial data modelling, analysis and visualization of geographic information is acquired by all students. Students learn to master recent theories, methods and procedures connected to map production and map use in the context of modern cartography and geoinformatics. Graduates are capable of developing cartographic research projects and implementing them in a professional and economic way.Degree holders have the ability to capture, model, manage, analyze and visualize spatial data. They can competently handle databases and geographic information systems and manage rule-based graphic data processing in all forms and for all user groups. They are able to master all publication forms and media, from print media to electronic multimedia including web-publishing. Students gain those skills in various techniques and methods for processing and visualizing geodata that are complemented by professional evaluation procedures.Graduates are in a position to strongly influence and shape cartography as an independent science with its own research and object of knowledge, but also with strong relations to earth sciences, information sciences and communication sciences.As Cartography is an international master program, it involves students from a wide variety of cultural groups. Participants, thus, not only develop theoretical, methodological and technical skills, but social and intercultural competencies as well.Due to the requirement to write scientific project reports and a Master’s thesis, graduates of the Cartography program are able to define milestones and to meet related deadlines, to problem-solve, and to critically evaluate their own work through self-reflection. 

Which professional opportunities can I take up with this qualification?

The qualification of M.Sc. in Cartography opens up excellent professional opportunities on national and international levels, both in the private sector and in administration or research. Graduates can work for government authorities, for map and atlas publishers or for companies specializing in GIS, location-based services, or navigation systems. Further opportunities arise in the areas of town and landscape planning, environmental protection, disaster management, tourism, transportation, or telecommunications.

In addition, the completion of the M.Sc. qualifies graduates for the PhD program. Cooperation with the four universities provides graduates with access to an international research network and thus an optimal start to a career in science.