Master of Science in Geography and Geomatics

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Master's Programme

2 year 120 credits

Faculty of Sciences

Dutch

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About the programme

Programme summary

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Off to a good start

After graduation

Study programme content subject to change

1 General Courses

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Research Design	1	year	en	Frank Witlox	5

Physical Environment and Sustainable Development	1	sem 2	nl	N. N.	5

GIS: Applications	1	sem 1	nl,en	Nico Van de Weghe	7

Remote Sensing: Applications	1	sem 2	nl	Tim Van de Voorde	5

Integrated International Projectwork	1	year	nl,en	Veerle Van Eetvelde	8

2 Minors

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 1 minor from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

2.1 Minor Research & Development

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1			year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Subscribe to 25 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 13 credit units from the following list.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Practical Skills in Academic Geo-education		year	nl	Nico Van de Weghe	3

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

Subscribe to no more than 25 credit units from the study programmes of UGent including courses from the other majors Geography & Geomatics, the Ghent University elective courses or from other universities of the Flemish Community or (online) courses from Erasmus+ partner universities.

2.2 Minor Environment & Planning

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Project Landscape Science and Spatial Planning	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Subscribe to 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.2.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 10 and no more than 20 credit units from the following list, with 10 credit units with reference a.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Juridical Aspects	a	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Integrating Spatial Policy and Project Management	a	sem 2	nl	Ann Pisman	6

Mobility, Spatial Planning and Urban Design of Infrastructure	a	sem 1	nl	Filip Boelaert	3

Integrated Approach to Water Management and Environmental Policy	a	sem 2	nl	Renaat De Sutter	3

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation	a	sem 1	nl	Lander Baeten	4

Urban Green Management	a	sem 1	nl	Jan Mertens	4

Introduction to Entrepreneurship		sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture		sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility		sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.2.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

Subscribe to no more than 10 credit units from the study programmes of UGent including courses from the other majors Geography & Geomatics, the Ghent University elective courses or from other universities of the Flemish Community or (online) courses from Erasmus+ partner universities.

2.3 Minor Surveying

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Environmental Law	sem 1	nl	Geert Van Hoorick	3

Legal Aspects of Real Estate	sem 1	nl	Joke Baeck	5

Surveying Aspects of Real Estate Expertise	sem 2	nl	Alain De Wulf	4

Surveying Project	sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Subscribe to 8 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.3.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 8 credit units from the following list.

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Principles of Law and Construction Law	sem 1	nl	Jelle Laverge	3

Juridical Aspects	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Introduction to Entrepreneurship	sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture	sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility	sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

2.3.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

Subscribe to no more than 8 credit units from the study programmes of UGent including courses from the other majors Geography & Geomatics, the Ghent University elective courses or from other universities of the Flemish Community or (online) courses from Erasmus+ partner universities.

3 Majors

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

3.1 Major Physical Geography

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Climate Change and land-atmosphere Interactions	sem 1	nl,en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

Fluvial Processes and Management	sem 1	en	Amaury Frankl	5

Regional Climate Modelling	sem 2	en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

3.2 Major Landscape Science

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Landscape Management and Design	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Ecology	sem 2	en	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Genesis	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

3.3 Major Urban Geography

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Urbanization in Global Perspective	sem 2	en	Ben Derudder	5

Urban Mobility and Logistics	sem 1	en	Giovanni Circella	5

3.4 Major Cartopgraphy & Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Spatiotemporal Analysis and Modelling	sem 1	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

Geographical Information Architecture	sem 2	nl,en	Haosheng Huang	5

Geospatial Artificial Intelligence	sem 2	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

3.5 Major Topography & Hydrography

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
3D Acquisition and Modelling	sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Topometrology	sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Second year

(version 4 )

2 Minors

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 1 minor from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

2.1 Minor Research & Development

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1			year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Subscribe to 25 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 13 credit units from the following list.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Practical Skills in Academic Geo-education		year	nl	Nico Van de Weghe	3

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

2.2 Minor Environment & Planning

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Project Landscape Science and Spatial Planning	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Subscribe to 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.2.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 10 and no more than 20 credit units from the following list, with 10 credit units with reference a.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Juridical Aspects	a	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Integrating Spatial Policy and Project Management	a	sem 2	nl	Ann Pisman	6

Mobility, Spatial Planning and Urban Design of Infrastructure	a	sem 1	nl	Filip Boelaert	3

Integrated Approach to Water Management and Environmental Policy	a	sem 2	nl	Renaat De Sutter	3

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation	a	sem 1	nl	Lander Baeten	4

Urban Green Management	a	sem 1	nl	Jan Mertens	4

Introduction to Entrepreneurship		sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture		sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility		sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.2.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

2.3 Minor Surveying

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Environmental Law	sem 1	nl	Geert Van Hoorick	3

Legal Aspects of Real Estate	sem 1	nl	Joke Baeck	5

Surveying Aspects of Real Estate Expertise	sem 2	nl	Alain De Wulf	4

Surveying Project	sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Subscribe to 8 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.3.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 8 credit units from the following list.

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Principles of Law and Construction Law	sem 1	nl	Jelle Laverge	3

Juridical Aspects	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Introduction to Entrepreneurship	sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture	sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility	sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

2.3.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

3 Majors

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

3.1 Major Physical Geography

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Climate Change and land-atmosphere Interactions	sem 1	nl,en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

Fluvial Processes and Management	sem 1	en	Amaury Frankl	5

Regional Climate Modelling	sem 2	en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

3.2 Major Landscape Science

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Landscape Management and Design	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Ecology	sem 2	en	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Genesis	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

3.3 Major Urban Geography

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Urbanization in Global Perspective		sem 2	en	Ben Derudder	5

Urban Mobility and Logistics		sem 1	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Sustainable Cities	2	year	nl	Michiel Dehaene	5

3.4 Major Cartopgraphy & Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Spatiotemporal Analysis and Modelling	sem 1	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

Geographical Information Architecture	sem 2	nl,en	Haosheng Huang	5

Geospatial Artificial Intelligence	sem 2	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

3.5 Major Topography & Hydrography

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
3D Acquisition and Modelling		sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Hydrographic Surveying	2	sem 2	en	Alain De Wulf	5

Topometrology		sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

4 Master's Dissertation

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		2	year	nl,en		30

Full programme

(version 4 )

Print

1 General Courses 30

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Research Design	1	year	en	Frank Witlox	5

Physical Environment and Sustainable Development	1	sem 2	nl	N. N.	5

GIS: Applications	1	sem 1	nl,en	Nico Van de Weghe	7

Remote Sensing: Applications	1	sem 2	nl	Tim Van de Voorde	5

Integrated International Projectwork	1	year	nl,en	Veerle Van Eetvelde	8

2 Minors 30

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 1 minor from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

2.1 Minor Research & Development

30

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1			year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Subscribe to 25 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.1.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 13 credit units from the following list.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Practical Skills in Academic Geo-education		year	nl	Nico Van de Weghe	3

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.1.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

2.2 Minor Environment & Planning

30

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Project Landscape Science and Spatial Planning	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Subscribe to 20 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.2.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no less than 10 and no more than 20 credit units from the following list, with 10 credit units with reference a.

Course	Ref	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2		year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics		year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods		sem 2	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Global Minds	UKV	sem 2	en	Ines Keygnaert	5

Juridical Aspects	a	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Integrating Spatial Policy and Project Management	a	sem 2	nl	Ann Pisman	6

Mobility, Spatial Planning and Urban Design of Infrastructure	a	sem 1	nl	Filip Boelaert	3

Integrated Approach to Water Management and Environmental Policy	a	sem 2	nl	Renaat De Sutter	3

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation	a	sem 1	nl	Lander Baeten	4

Urban Green Management	a	sem 1	nl	Jan Mertens	4

Introduction to Entrepreneurship		sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture		sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility		sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

Transport Economics and Policy		sem 1	en	Frank Witlox	3

2.2.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

2.3 Minor Surveying

30

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 1	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

Environmental Law	sem 1	nl	Geert Van Hoorick	3

Legal Aspects of Real Estate	sem 1	nl	Joke Baeck	5

Surveying Aspects of Real Estate Expertise	sem 2	nl	Alain De Wulf	4

Surveying Project	sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Subscribe to 8 credit units from no less than 1 and no more than 2 modules from the following list.

2.3.1 Elective Courses

Subscribe to no more than 8 credit units from the following list.

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Internship 2	year	nl	Frank Witlox	5

International Course in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

International Research Project in Geography and/or Geomatics	year	en	Haosheng Huang	5

Principles of Law and Construction Law	sem 1	nl	Jelle Laverge	3

Juridical Aspects	sem 1	nl	Tom De Waele	5

Introduction to Entrepreneurship	sem 1	en	Petra Andries	3

Dare to Venture	sem 2	en	Johan Verrue	4

Corporate Social Responsibility	sem 2	nl	Saskia Crucke	3

2.3.2 Elective Courses UGent and other Universities

3 Majors 30

Subscribe to 30 credit units from 2 modules from the following list. Subject to approval by the faculty.

To obtain the professional title of sworn surveyor, the minor Surveying and the major Topography & Hydrography must be chosen.

3.1 Major Physical Geography

15

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Climate Change and land-atmosphere Interactions	sem 1	nl,en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

Fluvial Processes and Management	sem 1	en	Amaury Frankl	5

Regional Climate Modelling	sem 2	en	Kwinten Van Weverberg	5

3.2 Major Landscape Science

15

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Landscape Management and Design	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Ecology	sem 2	en	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

Landscape Genesis	sem 1	nl	Veerle Van Eetvelde	5

3.3 Major Urban Geography

15

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Urbanization in Global Perspective		sem 2	en	Ben Derudder	5

Urban Mobility and Logistics		sem 1	en	Giovanni Circella	5

Sustainable Cities	2	year	nl	Michiel Dehaene	5

3.4 Major Cartopgraphy & Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

15

Course	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Spatiotemporal Analysis and Modelling	sem 1	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

Geographical Information Architecture	sem 2	nl,en	Haosheng Huang	5

Geospatial Artificial Intelligence	sem 2	en	Nico Van de Weghe	5

3.5 Major Topography & Hydrography

15

Course	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
3D Acquisition and Modelling		sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

Hydrographic Surveying	2	sem 2	en	Alain De Wulf	5

Topometrology		sem 1	nl	Alain De Wulf	5

4 Master's Dissertation 30

Course	Ref	MT1	Semester	Language	Instructor	Crdt
Master's Dissertation		2	year	nl,en		30

Learning outcomes

Competence field 1: Competence in one or more scientific disciplines

To apply advanced and specialized methods in geography and geomatics independently.
To formulate an integrated vision on spatial questions in the society, environment and sustainable development in a complex and multi-scaled context.
To possess a critical view of (inter)national research in the specific research area of geography and geomatics.
To evaluate the recent scientific developments in the field of geography and geomatics.
To use, analyze and structure complex datasets and formats in a geographic information system.
To analyze and interpret complex phenomena on different temporal, spatial and policy scales/levels
To apply geographical knowledge and skills in national or international study areas.
Major Physical Geography: To analyze and interpret de role of the endogenous and exogenous driving forces in the formation and the evolution of the physical landscape and the interaction with human activities.
Major Physical Geography: To assess the influence of the (quaternary) climate change on the changes in the physical environment and their influence on human activities.
Major Landscape Science: To apply specialized knowledge and theories of landscape science in research, including landscape ecology, historical geography, landscape genesis and landscape perception.
Major Landscape Science: To analyze, interpret and apply policy visions, international and national legislation concerning landscape management, protection, heritage management and environment policy.
Major Landscape Science: To contribute to the holistic interpretation of geographical phenomena in spatial planning with an integrated landscape approach in an inter- and transdisciplinary connection.
Major Urban Geography: To use specialized knowledge and theories of social and economic geography in research on the spatial components of societal and dynamic processes.
Major Urban Geography: To use spatial analysis on social processes in a local, regional and global context (globalization) independently.
Major Cartopgraphy & GIS: To master advanced terminology and knowledge of cartography and GIS.
Major Cartopgraphy & GIS: To apply advanced GIS analysis, cartographic visualizations and communications in answering geographical questions.
Major Cartopgraphy & GIS: To master the developments of advanced GIS project.
Major Topography & Hydrography: To apply advanced methods and techniques of remote sensing, topography and hydrography in research of terrestrial and marine spatial questions.
Major Topography & Hydrography: To possess specialized knowledge on spatial reference systems, data acquisition and data modeling.

Competence field 2: Scientific competence

Assimilating, analysing, assessing and synthesising international scientific literature and complex information sources on a critical manner.
To independently formulate research questions, elaborate a research plan and select the appropriate research methods and techniques in view of solving complex spatial problems.
To use research models to solve complex spatial problems and to present new models.
To collect data in a qualitative, critical and well-structured manner, register, manage, analyze and evaluate these critically in a research related context.
To critically assess and reflect on the existing and new theories, models or methods and techniques within the disciplines of geography and geomatics.
To conduct scientific research in an independent, correct, critical and creative manner.

Competence field 3: Intellectual competence

To show a systematic and critical reflection on one’s own thinking and acting and translate this into reasonable conclusions and more adequate solutions.
To acquire new insights in the technological and methodological developments within the field of geography and geomatics.
To demonstrate problem-preventing and problem-solving spatial thinking and acting from multiple perspectives and in an unfamiliar context.
To demonstrate an active and curious attitude towards a permanent knowledge development, lifelong learning and in guiding/to guide the own learning process.

Competence field 4: Competence in collaboration and communication

To report about research results in the standard format of academic writing, using (carto)graphical images, tables and statistics.
To communicate and debate research results with specialists and non-specialists and with a broad public.
To communicate own research results to specialists and non-specialists in a second language.
To collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international context and to demonstrate responsibility and leadership.

Competence field 5: Competence in social responsibility

To assess the social impacts of scientific developments and to contribute to the social debate.
To assess the relevance of social developments on research and the developments in Geography and geomatics.
To take a scientific and ethical position concerning geographical and sustainability questions

Competence field 6: Professional competences

To apply scientific knowledge, skills, attitudes and research skills in geography and geomatics in different work situations.
Minor Environment & Planning: To create a spatial vision from an interdisciplinary and geographical perspective taking into account the applicable regulations.
Minor Surveying: To meet the professional qualifications for a surveyor, as described by the VLOR.

Recognition Professional Qualifications

Law, Decree or European Guidelines the Study Programme complies with

Law of May 11th 2003 regulating the protection of the title and the profession of land surveyor, Belgium.

Legal Requirements regarding Professional Duties the Diploma complies with

Law of May 11th 2003 regulating the protection of the title and the profession of land surveyor, Belgium.

The holder of this diploma, provided he has passed the Minor Surveying in combination with the Major Topography & Hydrography, is entitled to exercise the profession of land surveyor and to carry the title of land surveyor in Belgium, on the condition of also having taken the legally required oath.