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Become an expert in management, analysis and processing of geospatial information.....
Nowadays, most of the decisions made on a world-wide basis in areas as diverse as the environment, agriculture, politics or economics, are based on information and georeferenced data.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) make up the tools used to solve real problems in complex contexts, with an increasing presence in companies and public and private organizations.
Global challenges like the climate change, security, development cooperation, the scarcity of natural resources, or the smooth transition towards the information society, have triggered a clear expansion in the GIS and Remote Sensing sector. The proof of this lies in the nearly three hundred earth observation satellites in orbit at the moment, or initiatives like the European Union`s Copernicus (Earth observation) and Galileo (geolocation) programmes, which will be soon fully operational.
In addition, the development of GIS and Remote Sensing is understood to be an engine for scientific progress, innovation and economic growth, which will necessarily result in the creation of qualified employment.
The master degree in Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing from the Public University of Navarre (MScGIS&RS) is an official Master degree verified by the ANECA, with a twofold professional and research orientation, which can be taken in one academic year, as a full-time student (60 ECTS) or in two or more academic years as a part-time student.
This master degree is geared to university graduates of diverse backgrounds interested in the management, analysis and processing of geospatial information.
The study programme is structured in three compulsory modules: (1) GIS (2) Remote Sensing and 3) research tools and statistical analysis.
The contents are completed with the carrying out of an optional internship in external companies or public instituions or, instead, with optional courses on GIS and Remote Sensing applications. Finally, students have to do a Final Master Thesis with 12 ECTS.
Teaching is given in a theoretical/practical manner using industry-leading software (both free and proprietary software) and focused on real case studies. For this purpose, there is a highly qualified teaching team made up of internationally recognized professors doctors with a wide experience in research, reinforced by professionals from the private sector, who contribute their expertise in some specific subjects.
BASIC SKILLS
GENERAL SKILLS
The Master will provide students with advanced training in a subject with clear growth prospects, therefore significantly increasing their employment possibilities.
The demand for professionals with abilities in the handling, management and processing of geospatial information has steadily grown in the past few years, and it is foreseen that this trend will increase in the near future.
The growing availability of georeferenced data requires experts capable of transforming those data into useful information for both the public and the private sectors. In the latter case, the takeoff of services based on browsers and georeferenced information is an example of the enormous interest (and economic potential) of linking relevant information on consumers and their geographical area.
This Master aims to contribute to the development of the GIS and Remote Sensing sector in Navarre (adding to initiatives like SITNA, IDENA or the development of INSPIRE regulations). Also noteworthy is the strategic nature in Navarre of sectors like the agri-food, renewable energy, environment or tourism, which have all clear applications of GIS and Remote Sensing.
However, it is hoped that Master graduates will develop their professional career not only in their closest geographical area but also in other regions of Spain or abroad; both in the public and private sectors.
Access to official Master degree studies requires (according to the provisions of Art. 16 of the Royal Decree 1393/2007 of 29 October, modified by 861/2010, on the organization of official university studies) the applicant to hold an official Spanish university qualification, or any other issued by a higher education institution in the European Higher Education Area, which enables the access to Master degree studies in the issuing country.
Similarly, holders of qualifications from education systems outside the European Higher Education Area can enter the Master studies without needing any official accreditation of their degrees after the University has verified that those qualifications certify a level of education equivalent to the corresponding official Spanish degree and that the country issuing them validates them for admission into post-graduate studies. Access by this route does not in any way imply any official certification of the previous qualification held by the prospective Master student, or its recognition for any other effects than that of studying the Master.
To access any of the Master degrees offered at the UPNA it is necessary to make a pre-enrolment during the period officially allowed, published every year at the university website. This system permits a better management both for the university and the student. The latter will present a single pre-enrolment application in which s/he can indicate a certain Master degree course. The student can only enrol in a single university Master degree course. The admission of students to any Official Master degree depends on the decision of the Academic Commission of each Master. This commission will stablish the list of of admitted students who need to take the Training Complement Basics of Programming depending on their background records.
Requirements for Admission to the Master degree
According to Article 17 of the Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, on the planning of official university studies, the entity in charge of the admission process of students is the Academic Commission of the Master. That Commission, according to the rules of Official Master degrees of the Public University of Navarre, approved by the Governing Board on 28 July, 2009, and modified in the Governing Board on 4 October 2011, will be made up of at least three Master degree professors. One of the latter will act as the Academic Director of the Master degree, another as Quality Manager, another as Secretary and the rest, if any, on condition of Members. The Commission has the task of indicating the specific requirements of access and admission to the Master degree, equal opportunity of access to the qualified students, with special attention to non-discrimination for reasons of gender or disability.
The admission procedure will be carried out in accordance with the calendar approved by the Governing Board for each academic year. The students interested have to fill in their application form, including their academic record, and send it within the deadlines established. The Academic Commission of the Master degree will evaluate applications and set up the list of admitted students. Students will be admitted according to the following scale:
Academic record of the qualification of the graduate degree (or its equivalent) giving access to the Master (up to 4 points). Weighting coefficients could be assigned on the scores of the record for those degrees that do not fit in with the Master degree`s subject matter.
Professional experience (up to 2 points). 0.5 points per year will be valued, weighting the appropriateness of the professional career with the contents of the Master degree.
Participation in Research Projects (up to 2 points). The participation in research projects will be valued by weighting the time scope, the topic, degree of participation and funding.
Other merits (up to 2 points). Merits not contemplated in previous sections will be valued (weighting by their adjustment to the topic of the Master), among others:
o Knowledge of foreign languages (demonstrated by an official certificate or by courses attended).
o Courses attended or given
o Publications
o Certified research grants
o Additional qualifications
The selection process will be carried out by the Academic Commission.
In the case of students with specific educational aids derived from some disability, systems and procedures that include suitable support and assessment services will be established. These will assess the need for possible curriculum adaptations, itineraries or alternative studies. Students` admission will in no case imply any modification in the academic, and, if it applies, professional effects, which correspond to the previous qualification possessed by the student, or its recognition for any other purpose than that of the Master degree studies.
The study programme has 60 ECTS credits, spread over two semesters. One ECTS credit corresponds to 25 hours of student work; 10 of these are classroom hours and 15 correspond to personal (self-study) work. This work load is structured in five modules, as shown in the following table:
Modules |
Type | Créditos |
---|---|---|
MODULE 1: GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS | Compusory | 18 |
MODULE 2: REMOTE SENSING | Compusory | 15 |
MODULE 3: RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS TOOLS | Compusory | 9 |
MODULE 4: APPLICATIONS | Optional | 6 |
MODULE 5: MASTER THESIS | Compusory | 12 |
Each module consists of a series of themes and each theme of a series of courses of 3 ECTS each. Module 1 is compulsory and the themes and courses composing it are detailed as follows:
MODULE 1. Themes / Courses | Semester | Credits |
---|---|---|
GIS Analysis 1.1.A. Geographical Information Systems 1.1.B. Advanced spatial analysis using GIS tools |
1 1 |
3 3 |
Databases and Spatial Data Infrastructures 1.2.A. Geographical databases 1.2.B. Spatial Data Infrastructures and publication of services
|
1 2 |
3 3 |
GIS Programming 1.3.A. Advanced programming in Python 1.3.B. Development of web mapping applications |
1 2 |
3 3 |
Module 2 is also compulsory and is composed of 2 themes and a total of five courses:
MODULE 2. Themes / Courses | Semester | Credits |
---|---|---|
Processing of remote sensing images 2.1.A. Optical remote sensing 2.1.B. RADAR and LiDAR remote sensing 2.1.C. Very high spatial resolution images: photogrammetry and UAVs |
1 1 2 |
3 3 3 |
Extraction of information from remote images 2.2.A. Extraction of information from aerial and satellite images 2.2.B. Intelligent systems for the extraction of information |
2 2 |
3 3 |
Module 3 is formed by a first theme/course on research in GIS and Remote Sensing and a second theme on spatial and spatio-temporal statistics.
MODULE 3. Themes / Courses | Semester | Credits |
---|---|---|
Research in GIS and Remote Sensing 3.1.A. Research techniques in GIS and Remote Sensing
|
1 |
3 |
Statistical analysis and prediction 3.2.A. Statistical analysis and prediction of spatial data 3.2.B. Statistical analysis and prediction of spatio-temporal data |
1 2 |
3 3 |
Finally, module 4 gives students 2 options involving different GIS and Remote Sensing applications. They can choose between doing an internship on an external company or institution or taking 2 courses of 3 ECTS on specific applications:
MODULE 4. Themes / Courses | Semester | Credits |
---|---|---|
4.1. Applications 4.1.A. Internship 4.1.B. Transport network planning and route management 4.1.C. Management of emergencies and natural disasters |
2 2 2 |
6 3 3 |
Internship
The students enrolled in internship on external companies will be able to establish their destination priority in a list of firms that will be announced in advance. The assignment is done according to the average score obtained in the ordinary evaluation of the 1st semester courses. There is also the possibility that the students themselves propose an internship destination. In this case, it will be the Academic Commission of the Master who will accept or deny the proposals in a reasoned manner. Finally, under exceptional circumstances, and with the prior agreement of the Academic Commission, these internships could be done in the university`s research groups, in the framework of research projects or contracts.
Master Thesis
After obtaining all the credits of compulsory and optional courses in the Study Programme, students will carry out a Final Master Thesis of 12 ECTS duration. This will consist of the writing, presentation and defence before a university board, individually, of an original piece of work. This work, of either a research or professional nature, should synthesize the skills acquired along the Master. To select the Master Thesis topic, course 3.1.A “Research techniques” is considered to be a key one, as in this course students will be introduced to current topics in the field, documentation skills, information search and technical writing.
Training complements
A training complement will be offered in Basics of Programming for those students admitted whose profile does not match the Graduate in Engineering (or equivalent) and who do not have the required background in Programming.
The training complement is equivalent to the programming module that engineering graduates take in basic computer science courses. It will have an extension of 3 ECTS credits and will be taught during the first semester. The Academic Commission will establish the list of admitted students who need to take the Training Complement: Basics of Programming depending on their background records.
Course list
Term | Code | Subject | Credits | Lecturers |
---|---|---|---|---|
1º S | 73132 | Fundamentos de programación | 3 |
ARRIAGA EGUES, CESAR (Resp) |
So far, internships agreements have been signed with the following organizations.
BASARTEA | EKOLUR | GEOACTIO | MANCOMUNIDAD COMARCA PAMPLONA |
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NILSA | GOBIERNO DE NAVARRA | SITNA | TECHIDRONE |
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TESICNOR | TRACASA | CENER | |
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2016-16 Academic Year: The master will be taught from Monday to Thursday, from 16:00 to 20:00
Timing organization:
Official certification documents of the Master degree
Report “VERIFICA”
Work team of the Master degree
The Master degree (and its VERIFICA report) were designed by the Master Work Team (MWT) made up of the Director of the Technical School of Agricultural Engineering (ETSIA), four members of the teaching staff, two students, two graduates and four outside professionals:
The designation of the Master Work Team can be consulted here
Quality Assurance System
In the Public University of Navarre there is a general procedure for the evaluation of progress and of learning results. This procedure is included in the so-called System of Internal Quality Assurance (SGIC) of the degree, described in this link
In accordance with the SGIC of the Master, the Commission for Quality Assurance of the Faculty (CGCC), in this case of the Technical School of Agricultural Engineers (ETSIA), is in charge of ensuring the progress and learning results of the students. The CGCC of ETSIA is conformed by the following Members of the Commission.
For that purpose, each academic year, the Quality Manager of the Master (RCT) will request the teachers to publish, at the beginning of the semester, the Teaching Guide of their course. In that Guide the objectives to be reached by each course with relation to their skills will be specified, as well as the indicators for their assessment and the assessment procedures proposed. At the end of each semester, the teachers of each theme or course will, together with the RCT, analyze the implementation of the activities set out in their teaching guides, along with the achievement of the learning results planned.
The RCT will present an annual Following-up Self-report to the CGCC, which will analyze the evolution of the results, verify the students` skill acquisition process, and, if necessary, will draw up an Improvement Plan, to introduce any possible improvement proposals. All of this will be studied and, if appropriate, approved by the CGCC. Once approved, it will be transmitted by the RCT to the teachers of the courses.
The UPNA publishes annually the Performance Indicators of the different degrees. To obtain this information press here
Academic Commission for the Master degree
UNIVERSITY WELCOME OFFICE
Library- Ground floor
Arrosadia campus
Pamplona - Iruña
Tel. 948 169096 / 948 168411 /8922
Fax. 948 169169
Contact by E-mail