Programme Structure

The full-time programme awards a total of 120 ECTS and is to be completed in two years.
Students obtain 30 ECTS in each semester/at each university and 30 ECTS for their Master thesis.

1st semester at
TU München

Winter semester | 30 ECTS

2nd semester at
TU Wien

Summer semester | 30 ECTS

3rd semester at
TU Dresden

Winter semester | 30 ECTS

4th semester coordinated by UTwente

Summer semester | 30 ECTS
During the 1st semester at TUM, the foundations in cartography and geovisualization are taught. In the 2nd semester at TUW students gain knowledge in multimedia cartography, especially in web mapping, mobile internet and location-based services (LBS). Students specialize in mobile cartography and 3D cartography in the 3rd semester at TUD. During the first and third semester, online modules from the University of Twente are integrated in the curriculum. Students choose one of the four universities where they spend their fourth semester to write their master's thesis.

The curriculum is structured in complementary and consecutive modules. It is based on lectures, exercises, seminars and project works. In the beginning of the 3rd semester, an 11 days alpine field school within the module Georelief and Cartography takes place.

Please find a short overview in the module structure below. All details can be found in the Module Handbook.
More detailed information about the programme can be found in the Study Programme Documentation (in German language only). Information about the thesis semester is published here.
Module Handbook
A detailed description of all modules can be found in our Module Handbook

Modules of the 1st semester

Winter semester at TU München

Fundamentals

Cartographic Foundations
Compulsory | 5 ECTS
This module covers different aspects of cartography and cartographic research.
Geo-Information
Compulsory | 6 ECTS
This module includes an introduction to GIS and spatial data analysis.
Geovisualization and Geostatistics
Compulsory | 5 ECTS
The content of this module covers geovisualization and geostatistics aspects including geomarketing which are combined to gain insights into spatial data analysis, using statistical methods and to visualize these insights using advanced visualization techniques.
Image Analysis for Mapping
Compulsory | 6 ECTS
This module focusses on imagery data acquisition, image processing, image analysis, image classification, segmentation and extraction of geospatial data for mapping and earth observation.

Advanced

Principles of Databases
Distance course at UTwente
Elective | 5 ECTS
Conceptual database design, relational algebra, query language SQL, normalization, transactions, indexing, engineering applications
Spatial Decision Support System
Distance course at UTwente
Elective | 5 ECTS

This e-learning course introduces participants to techniques for selecting and processing data, I view of decisions to be made to generate meaningful and timely information to support the better management of resources.
English  Scientific Presentation and Writing C2
Elective | 3 ECTS
This course allows students to practice for formal speaking tasks in English such as a class presentation, dissertation defence or conference talk, and for completing formal written tasks such as a journal article, report, project proposal or a literature summary.

Interdisciplinary

Visual Data Analytics
Elective | 5 ECTS
After successful completion of the module, the students have gained advanced knowledge concerning the visualization pipeline, ranging from data acquisition to the final image of this data. 
Mapping Project
Elective | 5 ECTS
The students are working in groups of two or three persons under supervision on current cartographic research questions / intended project topics. 

Specialization

Engineering Databases
Elective | 3 ECTS
After completion of the module the students will be able to create a conceptual database design using the entity-relationship model.
Principles of Spatial Data Mining and Machine Learning
Elective | 3 ECTS
By completing this module, students will be enabled to extract knowledge from spatial and spatio-temporal datasets following techniques from data mining and machine learning including linear models, kNN models, regression models, classification models, decision trees, NaiveBayes, Support Vector Machines and more.
Selected Topics in Big Geospatial Data
Elective | 3 ECTS
Students will learn about state-of-the-art techniques from the quickly evolving field of big geospatial data management thereby deepening their understanding of challenges and solutions in the field of big data and spatial machine learning.

Modules of the 2nd semester

Summer semester at TU Wien

Fundamentals

Cartographic Theories and Applications
Compulsory | 9 ECTS
The topics of this module are major theories and methods of scientific cartography. A major focus is dealing with cartographic interfaces and cartographic information systems.

Advanced

LBS and Multimedia Cartography
Compulsory | 10 ECTS
This module deals with Location-based Services. Students will setup an LBS project by applying the theoretical input into a live LBS application. 
Cartographic Publishing
Compulsory | 5 ECTS
This module deals with contemporary ways to disseminate cartographic products while focussing on geo-media techniques.

Interdisciplinary

Applied Cartographic Research and Development
Compulsory | 6 ECTS
This module covers advanced scientific writing and presentation methods and cartographic project management, thus is dealing with components of research-driven cartography within a seminar and a project.

Modules of the 3rd semester

Winter semester at TU Dresden

Advanced

Georelief and Cartography
Elective | 10 ECTS
The principal objective of this module is to enhance the geo-thinking through a detailed presentation of an exemplary alpine landscape in close relation to methods and realizations of its cartographic depiction. 
Principles of Databases
Distance course at UTwente
Elective | 5 ECTS
Conceptual database design, relational algebra, query language SQL, normalization, transactions, indexing, engineering applications
Spatial Decision Support System
Distance course at UTwente
Elective | 5 ECTS

This e-learning course introduces participants to techniques for selecting and processing data, I view of decisions to be made to generate meaningful and timely information to support the better management of resources.
Mobile Cartography
Elective | 10 ECTS
The course provides an overview of theories, methods and application for information delivery and cartographic presentation on mobile devices.
Subject-specific GIS Applications and Case Studies
Elective | 10 ECTS
The students get introduced to solutions for selected spatial problems of higher complexity, for which no built-in software solution exists within standard GIS software.

Specialization

Remote-Sensing based Environmental Mapping
Elective | 5 ECTS
The module provides information on sensor characteristics and on basic as well as advanced methods of environmental remote sensing with special regard to the analysis of multi-level space- and airborne digital imagery.
Geodata Infrastructures
Elective | 5 ECTS
The module provides an overview about organizational and technical aspects of Geodata Infrastructures (GDI), about regulations and frameworks, about foundations of interoperability for geoinformation and related research.
Laser Scanning and DTM Generation
Elective | 5 ECTS
This module provides an overview on laser scanning and DTM generation techniques. Special focus will be put on aspects of accuracy and reliability of 3D information.
3D Virtual Landscapes
Elective | 5 ECTS
The central part of this module is an introduction to a comprehensive work-flow leading from established geo-data sources (e.g. aerial imagery, digital terrain model) to a textured 3D model.

4th semester

Master's Thesis and Colloquium
Compulsory | 30 ECTS
The Master's Thesis is a scientific elaboration within a time period of six months. More details: https://kartoweb.itc.nl/msc-carto-thesis/