Engineering Geodesy and Photogrammetry

This major focuses on the acquisition, modelling, analysis and interpretation of spatial data, i.e. shape, location, orientation, motion and change of man-made and natural objects. These objects vary in size from tiny biological structures and mechanical parts through complete aircraft and ships, buildings, dams, tunnels, mountains up to entire regions, countries, and even continents.

Students acquire knowledge and skills which allow them to translate application requirements into measurement systems, data collection procedures, data processing strategies, and work flows that carefully balance the expected quality (accuracy, completeness, timeliness, etc.) against technical, economic and legal requirements.

Topics covered comprise a variety of sensors (from simple tilt sensors and consumer cameras through total stations and laser scanners to complex instruments like laser trackers, radar systems and satellite sensors) advanced data processing methods (image analysis and interpretation, parameter estimation, time series analysis, etc.) and an introduction to intra- and inter-disciplinary applications (e.g., mapping, machine control and guidance, remote sensing, and geomonitoring).

Learning is based on lectures, exercises, self-guided reading and problem solving. Additionally projects and field courses are offered in close relationship with the research programmes of the instructors. These courses offer the opportunity to deepen knowledge and skills through application to challenging, real problems (such as e.g. the development of a guidance system for a new construction machine, or a UAV-based thermal mapping workflow). By solving such problems individually or in a small group, and demonstrating their functional prototype or mapping result, students gain experience and confidence, and have a lot of fun, too.

Students should be interested in both theoretical and practical work, and have a solid undergraduate background in mathematics, physics, and engineering (preferably including geodesy and surveying). Enthusiasm for occasionally working outdoors and/or for computer programming is an advantage.

Graduates find a broad range of job opportunities, including positions in industrial R&D of instruments, software and services (including entertainment); project engineering in different sectors (among others construction, telecommunication, energy, environment); public administration, cadastral surveying, land administration (depending on additional qualifications); technical consulting, and academia.