Master’s programme in Geomatics to be realigned
D-BAUG has modernised geomatics studies at Master’s degree level. Starting in autumn 2022, the new programme will have an even stronger focus on more flexible, project-based, research-oriented and interdisciplinary learning and teaching.
Geomatics is the engineering science that models spatial data and studies spatial information. The field includes disciplines such as geoinformation systems, cartography, land surveying and remote sensing. Up to now, ETH Zurich has offered a Master's programme in Geomatics, which builds on the former Bachelor's programme in Geomatics and Planning. It was last revised in 2013.
In 2018, the D-BAUG department introduced a new Bachelor’s degree programme in Geospatial Engineering. Since then, this has formed the common basis for the two subsequent Master’s programmes in Geomatics and in Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems. The second, which focuses on the planning science aspects of spatial, settlement and transportation development, is also open to students of architecture, environmental engineering, geography and other related fields (more on studying at D-BAUG).
New Geomatics degree programme in autumn 2022
In the meantime, the demands on geomatics studies have evolved – and D-BAUG has responded by revising the degree programme. The latest revisions to the curriculum and the programme regulations modernise geomatics studies at Master’s degree level and adapt them to these new conditions: in particular to the “preparatory” Bachelor’s programme in Geospatial Engineering, introduced in 2018, and to the strongly increased number of Master’s students holding Bachelor’s degrees from other universities.
D-BAUG involved stakeholders from ETH Zurich, industry and the authorities in this revision process. As requested by students and lecturers, the new programme will have an even stronger focus on more flexible, project-based, research-oriented and interdisciplinary learning and teaching. Students will benefit from more elective options and a tutoring system starting in 2022.
The Master’s programme provides the technical scientific knowledge required for all professional geomatics disciplines. This includes mathematical modelling, metrology and data science as well as computer-based methods for acquiring and analysing geospatial data and georeferencing systems. The programme also takes into account the particular requirements in Switzerland, such as the federal surveyor’s licence.
The ETH Zurich Executive Board has now approved the 2022 D-BAUG programme regulations and the revised 2013 programme regulations for the Master’s degree programme in Geomatics, and has put them into effect from the start of the 2022 Autumn Semester (see News from the Executive Board 2021 / 7).