Studies & Degrees in Geoinformation
Choose where you would like to study Geoinformation:
ArgentinaAustriaGermanyIndiaNetherlandsSouth KoreaSwedenThe United StatesGeoinformatics or geographic information technology is the study of science and technology related to spatial information. It aims at handling problems of geography, geosciences and related fields of engineering. Geoinformatics focuses mainly on the technology that is involved and necessary in collecting, storing, processing and analyzing the data that has been collected spatially. A number of subjects need to be paid heed to while studying Geoinformatics. These are such as cartography, geographic information system, global navigation satellite systems, remote sensing, etc.
In very simple terms, Geoinformatics involves collection and analysis of our earth and its resources from space. It focuses on studying from all above up there the precise location of boundaries between nations, the oceans and seas, the forests, Earth’s climate, other geographical features as well as man-made structures.
Course Details
Duration of post graduate degree course in Geoinformatics varies from two to three years. The degrees awarded are either Master of Science or Master of Technology or post graduate diploma in Geoinformatics, depending on the course module and topics taught. Candidates willing to take admission to one of these courses must have graduation degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Agriculture, Management, Geography, Geology, Science, or Computer Science. Entrance tests and interviews form a normal part of the admission process in most universities. Students can follow up their post graduate courses in Geoinformatics with doctoral and post doctoral researches.
Why Study Geoinformatics
Geoinformatics helps in determining disaster control programs, military missions, and matters of national security, planning land management programs, aiding agriculture, aviation and study of climate change, and other developmental programs such as forest conservation, economic progress in mining, fishing and transport (as in global positioning system). Due to such widespread utility of the subject, Geoinformatics is gaining more and more importance every day. Naturally there remains a constant and increasing demand for experts in the field.
A course in Geoinformatics aims at training students to gain a wide knowledge base on physical geography and spatial technology in the students. It will teach them how to make use of remote sensing technology and global information system and analyze data collected from use of these. Besides, students will also get hands on training in management of natural resources, land and space use.
Career Prospects
Once one gets to know the applicability of the subject, it will hardly be difficult to have a fair idea of the job prospects available to a person studying Geoinformatics. Governmental agencies involved in spare, agriculture and climate research, environmental agencies, private enterprises working on GPS, mineral exploration, communication information, as well as international organizations focusing on crime mapping, market analysis, etc have huge demand for trained people in Geoinformatics. Job profiles are impressive naturally as they range from scientist, technical assistant, GIS expert and analyst, project scientist, project coordinator, system executives and many more. Due to advancement and extensive use of Geoinformatics we have been able to use all available frequency spectrums. However future research and development programs are required for producing technologies which will use newer frequency spectrum.