Geographical Information Management and Applications

The MSc GIMA programme aims at educating students to become
* all-round managers of geo-information and/or
* all-round geo-information researcher and/or
* all-round geo-information application specialists.

Students will acquire
* knowledge of and skills in management methods and techniques
* substantial knowledge of geo-information application fields
* technical-methodological geo-information skills

Upon successful completion of the programme students should have:
* Up-to-date knowledge of geo-information technologies (e. g. GIS, remote sensing, photogrammetry, GPS, and cartographic visualisation), their scientific development and their fields of application.
* Skills in geo-data handling processes like acquisition, structuring, storing, retrieving, processing, analysing, modelling and visualizing geo-information.
* Ability to gain insight into the role of geo-data and geo-information within organisations (e. g. geo-data infrastructure) and outside organisations (e. g. geo-information clearinghouses) and manage geo-information departments, units, and projects.

* Ability to recognise, describe, analyse, and synthesise geo-information handling relevant for research, policy, and business problems, and to develop and execute geo-information-based projects and prototypes

Course objectives
The student will be able to:

* Have an impression of the nature of the GIMA course.
* Understand the different possible approaches toward geo-informatics.
* Understand why geo-information is needed to solve problems.
* Have practical knowledge on how to use the Blackboard distance learning environment.

Content

* During several lectures the basics of geo-informatics as seen from the perspective of the four participating universities are conveyed.
* Exercise on needs assessment of geo-information: case study Enschede fireworks disaster.
* Hands-on experience with Blackboard environment.

Type of education

* lectures
* exercises

Assessment

Presentation of exercises results.

MSc. Thesis
Course objectives

The student will be able to:

* Demonstrate ones ability to use and integrate knowledge and competences acquired in the six modules and the internship for an advanced, master level research, development and/or design project that adheres to international scientific standards and shows originality and scholarship.
* Demonstrate ones ability to present the process and the results of the project in both written and oral format and to defend and discuss ones work in conformity with international scientific conventions.

Content

The (individual) research that results in a masterâs thesis deals with a specific need or issue that is relevant to the present-day practice of geo-information management and application. In some cases the subject of the thesis will originate from a student project carried out in module 6 or the internship; in other instances the subject of the thesis will be brought in front by the candidate or GIMA lectures. In all cases the subject of study should reflect the main objectives of the GIMA programme. The research lasts a minimum of 6 months full-time or 12 months half-time.

Type of education

* writing the thesis
* presentation
* discussion

Assessment

* written thesis
* research/design process
* presentation
* discussions

* Bachelors degree in relevant field of science. * Basic knowledge of and experience in geo-information.(The book "Principles of Geographic Information Systems" by Rolf de By, (ITC textbook series), ISBN 90-6164-226-4 is assumed the basic knowledge.) * Sufficient knowledge of and practical experience in using English language. All teaching and examination regulations of the Graduate School of Geosciences, Utrecht University can be found here: Teaching and Examination Regulations. Article 2.2 refers to English language requirements. * Practical experience in geo-information field is of benefit. English Language Requirements CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test: 90

Scholarships
* Grantfinder
* International Scholarships
* Study in Holland
* FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
* Nuffic
* Ford IFP (Ford Foundation's International Fellowships Programme)
* Nuffic - HSP (Huygens Scholarship Programme)