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Master's degree in

Geographical Information Systems

Discover the new opportunities for business innovation offered by geolocation and access to Open Data.

Start
October 2019
Duration
8 months
Delivery
Face-to-face
Fee
€6,400

Programme
Training Content
Learning methodology
Teaching team
Associates entities
Career opportunities
Request information or admission

Programme

Edition

22th Edition

Credits

60 ECTS (372 teaching hours)

Delivery

Face-to-face

Language of instruction

Spanish

Fee

€6,400
Notes payment of enrolment fee and 0,7% campaign

Registration open until the beginning of the course or until end of vacancies.

Discounts, loans and financial aid

Start date

Classes start: 14/10/2019
Classes end: 22/06/2020
Programme ends : 31/03/2021

Timetable

Monday: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Wednesday: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Notes to the schedule.

Taught at

Tech Talent Center
C/ de Badajoz, 73-77
Barcelona

Why this programme?

The emergence of new information and communication technologies has led to the development of new applications and new ways of understanding and managing our environment, with a major boost for everything related to location, mobility, thematic mapping, massive data management (or Big Data) etc. Geographic Information Systems technology can be used to manage resources and infrastructures (electrical networks, roads, etc.), and in marketing, archaeology, logistics, real estate asset management, facilities, environmental impact assessments and urban planning, civil protection and market analysis, to give just a few examples.

Over the past few years, the concept of smart cities has become more consolidated, and the application of GIS technologies in smart cities has helped improve the efficiency of municipal and territorial services. Today, both governments and the public can easily access geospatial data and thanks to GIS, find out how to reach their destination quickly, and at the same time reuse that data to provide traffic information for a wider audience, opening up a world of possibilities in the development of apps based on geolocation. Along with the realisation of smart cities, new paradigms of governability and transparency are leading to the increasingly important growth of a wide range of open data, many of which are of high quality and potentially georeferenced, which it is necessary to understand and be able to operate.

Today, many techniques and services enable custom maps to be produced quickly and easily via the web. Knowledge of access to data sources in Open Data standards or in Spatial Data Infrastructures, visualisation techniques and the various opportunities provided by new platforms for publishing maps should enable both expert and non-expert users to be able to produce dynamic and impressive maps.

The programme provides a robust training, skills for technical competence, technological and operational knowledge of current systems, practical skills, and experiences that enable development of the necessary skills for a professional career in the GIS field.

Some of the professional sectors (in both the public and private sector) which use GIS technologies are: local government, local mapping and GIS services, service companies, land registers, environmental consultancies, architects' and lawyers' offices, urban planning departments, market research companies, management of natural areas, marketing companies, real estate agencies, public transport, companies specialising in tourism management, transport fleet management, public works, network planning, engineering, in the field of precision agriculture, emergency management, NGOs, archaeology, health services management, the banking sector, and many others.

Promoted by:

Aims

To acquire practical skills in the use of current technological tools.
To be able to undertake spatial analysis of the territory.
To acquire knowledge for the design, customisation and implementation of a GIS.
To be able to interpret spatial information to make decisions
To provide solutions to any kind of problems: planning, territorial management, environment ...

Who is it for?

In theory, any professional wishing to work with data with a geospatial component is qualified to take the master's degree, and as such its students can come very diverse and numerous fields.

Graduates from social sciences degree courses fields such as economics, geography, politics, journalism, social sciences, archaeology, etc.
Graduates from scientific and technological degree courses such as physical and environmental sciences, biology, geology, topography, geodesy, etc.
Architects and technical engineers.
Civil engineers and public works technical engineers.
Industrial engineers from various specialist fields.
Telecommunications and computer engineers and their technical specialist fields.
Professionals specialising in cooperation and development.
Professionals in the health, agriculture, tourism, business, etc. sectors.
Specialist in regional management and administration in the public or private sector.
Business managers, strategy managers and entrepreneurs wishing to explore new business opportunities in this field.

Training Content

List of subjects

2 ECTS 14h

Data Origin and Sources: Digital mapping

Introduction to Geographic Information Systems.
Introduction to mapping, coordinate systems, reference systems and data formats.
Review and adaptation of mapping from CAD.

9 ECTS 63h

Geospatial Data Analysis in an Information System: Current tools and Emerging Technologies

The ArcGIS model. Visualisation of maps.
Interpreting data using symbology.
Presenting results: layouts, graphics and reports.
Analysis with ArcMap.
Structuring information - geodatabases.
Qgis: visualisation, analysis and exploitation of graphic data.
Emerging technologies Open data, social maps...
Smart City and OpenData in the local world

5 ECTS 35h

Introduction to GIS Programming in the WEB Environment

General concepts for programming and databases.
Hello World! Your first web page: HTML and CSS language.
Variables and constraints: basic operations in JavaScript.
Loops and Arrays: how to cover elements.
How to insert a Google Maps object.
Semantic HTML: what each element means. Searches by address or position. Hello jQuery.
Advanced CSS: generalisation of elements. Markers and maps.
How are external elements integrated?

8 ECTS 54h

Maps and Open Data: WEB-GIS Programming

Introduction to geoservices: tools and concepts for creating and consuming geoservices.

Map servers.
The Pseudo-Mercator reference system.
Data pyramids.
Vector tiles.

Introduction to Leaflet and Cesium 3D JS.

APIO reference and practical examples.
Leaflet basic map.
Leaflet Plugins.
Cesium basic map.

GitHub and Medium platforms.

Code and content planning.
GitHub Pages: publishing maps on GitHub.
Medium - how to raise the profile and increase the visibility of your maps.

Custom maps with MapBox Studio and Maputnik.

Potential of vector tiles.
Vector styles.
My personalised global base.

Maps with MapBox GL JS (Y).

Example of a basic map.
Example of a map with custom styles.
Example of a data-driven map with thousands of points.

Maps with MapBox GL JS (II).

Example of a map with advanced expressions.
Example of a 2.5 D map.
MapBox plug-ins.

Algorithms for predicting Javascript phenomena.

Machine Learning and maps.
Discrete meshes and linear regression.
Predicting accidents.

Kepler GL.

Visualisation of striking maps.
Three-variable maps.
Hexabin meshes.

Cordova/Phonegap.

What is Cordova? What is the difference between Cordova and Phonegap?
Creation and management of an application with Cordova.
Modular programming with RequireJS.

Introduction to MVC architecture (Model/View/Controller).

MVC - how to structure applications to facilitate their maintenance and extensibility.
Working with events. Synchronisation between views and data models.

5 ECTS 35h

Strategic Land Studies

Concepts and tools for Land Planning and Management.
Case studies: analysis and proposal vs planning and monitoring.
Content and exploitation of data from the ICGC, AMB, MUC databases and other open data, such as the Government of Catalonia's data.
Introduction to data manipulation and spatial analysis with the Python and R languages, with their open source libraries.

4 ECTS 28h

Advanced Analytical Systems: Aggregations, GeoPositioning and Routing

Definition of strategic territorial analysis vectors.
Application workshop: for implementing areas of activity in ArcGis.
Definition and tools of GeoMedia technology.
Application workshop: connections, visualisations, spatial analysis, influence, topology.

8 ECTS 49h

Local GIS: Smart Management

Introduction to Smart Cities.
Experiences and case studies.
Definition, bases, descriptors and parameters of the city.
Application workshop: Calculating urban fabric indicators in ArcGis.
Advanced experiences in local management:

The GIST - the engine for transparency, resilience and the Smart City.
Projects and new initiatives linked to open data.

Application workshop: Preparing databases for urban analysis in the GIS in a local tool in ArcGis.

Processing land registry data, planning and other open data sources.
Representing results on 3D maps and volumes.

2 ECTS 14h

Geomarketing and Geolocation Strategies

Introduction to using GIS tools in Geolocation and Geomarketing in GeoMedia.
Application workshop: geolocation and mobility analysis and strategies.

3 ECTS 25h

GIS Data and Environmental Indicators

Basic concepts of environmental areas and vectors, and their associated mapping.
Appropriate knowledge of the technical development of the Catalan Ministry of the Environment in the management of natural spaces.
Extensive knowledge of the experience and practical cases of environmental GIS application.
Creation, organisation, management and exploitation of information of natural areas with GIS tools.

3 ECTS 25h

Environmental Impact Studies and Management of Natural Areas

Appropriate knowledge of databases for the analysis and management of natural and environmental resources.
Carry out processes of capture, integration and treatment of environmental information from open network computer media.
Produce environmental impact studies, vulnerability maps and other environmental analyses with GIS tools.
Technical ability to create, organise and generate new environmental information using the GIS tool.
Preparation of studies of local action and Agenda 21 plans for monitoring urban transformations.

10 ECTS 30h

GIS master's degree dissertation

Project or research study based on the knowledge acquired on the master's degree course. There are two possible types of projects, which will be submitted by the person concerned:

A research study or various experiences that have entailed the application of innovative instruments and unusual solutions.
A research study that makes an unprecedented contribution to knowledge and current experience from the perspective of a theoretical, overall or partial situations of the current framework.

The structure of the project will be as follows: first phase: presentation of the topic and second phase: final submission and presentation before a tribunal.

Some of the dissertations presented in previous editions of the master's degree course are available at:

https://vimac.upc.edu/en/educational-programmes/master_GIS/master-professional-en-sistemes-dinformacio-geografica

Degree

Special master's degree issued by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Issued pursuant to art. 34.1 of Organic Law 4/2007 of 12 April, amending Organic Law 6/2001 of 21 December, concerning Universities. To obtain it, is necessary to have an official university qualification. Otherwise, the student will receive a certificate of completion of the programme issued by the Fundació Politècnica de Catalunya.

Range of modules

The master's degree programme is organized into the following modules. If you don't wish to take the entire master's degree you can sign on one or several modules.

Master's degree:

14/10/2019

Geographical Information Systems

Face-to-face. Barcelona

Postgraduate courses:

Lifelong learning courses:

Learning methodology

The teaching methodology of the programme facilitates the student's learning and the achievement of the necessary competences.

Learning tools

Participatory lectures

A presentation of the conceptual foundations of the content to be taught, promoting interaction with the students to guide them in their learning of the different contents and the development of the established competences.

Practical classroom sessions

Knowledge is applied to a real or hypothetical environment, where specific aspects are identified and worked on to facilitate understanding, with the support from teaching staff.

Success stories

Outstanding business knowledge and experiences with high added value acquired during an outstanding professional career are presented and shared.

Tutorship

Students are given technical support in the preparation of the final project, according to their specialisation and the subject matter of the project.

Assessment criteria

Attendance

At least 80% attendance of teaching hours is required.

Work out projects

Studies on a specific topic, by individuals or groups, in which the quality and depth of the work is assessed, among other factors.

Completion and presentation of the final project

Individual or group projects in which the contents taught in the programme are applied. The project can be based on real cases and include the identification of a problem, the design of the solution, its implementation or a business plan. The project will be presented and defended in public.

Work placements & employment service

Students can access job offers in their field of specialisation on the My_Tech_Space virtual campus. Applications made from this site will be treated confidentially. Hundreds of offers of the UPC School of Professional & Executive Development employment service appear annually. The offers range from formal contracts to work placement agreements.

Virtual campus

The students on this master's degree will have access to the My_ Tech_Space virtual campus - an effective platform for work and communication between the course's students, lecturers, directors and coordinators. My_Tech_Space provides the documentation for each training session before it starts, and enables students to work as a team, consult lecturers, check notes, etc.

Teaching team

Teaching staff

Biere Arenas, Rolando Mauricio
View profile in Linkedin
Architect by the University of Valparaíso (Chile), Master in Urban Management by the FPC-UPC and Master in Management and Urban Assessment by the UPC. Course coordinator of the training programs organized by the Center for Land Policy and Valuations (CPSV), in which he also works as a researcher. Invited professor in the themes of Urban Management, Planning and ICT applied to territorial and urban analysis.
Carceller Roqué, Xavier
View profile in Linkedin
Doctor in Architecture (UPC). Professor of courses in Urban Ecology, Sustainable City and Territory, Environmental Assessment or Integration of Urban Planning, Legislation, Environmental Management and Diagnosis. He develops the professional activity in the administration of the Generalitat of Catalonia where, among other charges, has been head of the Planning Natural Environment (Department of Environment) and he is currently Head of Service Plans and Programs, in the General Division Environmental Assessment (Department of Planning and Sustainability).
Marmolejo Duarte, Carlos
View profile in futur.upc
REV. Dr. Architect, Master in Real Estate Consultancy, Full Professor of the UPC. Researcher of the Center for Land Policy and Valuations, responsible for drafting the ACE Magazine: Architecture, City and Environment. Its central research topics focus on the analysis of the preferences of users of urban and real estate projects in the context of the design and promotion of projects of that type; also in the analysis of the impact of environmental externalities on urban values. The study of new methods of delimitation of real estate sub-markets and the impact of the urban structure on urban values are also part of their interest, which translates into a wide collection of publications. He is a member of the Recognition Committee of The European Group of Valuers Associations, and of the Access and Evaluation Committee of the Spanish Association of Real Estate and Urban Appraisal.
Mayor Farguell, Xavier

Ecologist, Biologist.
Moix Bergada, Montserrat

Computing. Utg Àmbit d'Arquitectura de Barcelona of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC).

Associates entities

Collaborating partners

Career opportunities

GIS project consultant.
GIS specialist.
GEO Data Analyst.
GIS application developer for business.
Urban and Regional Planning Consultant.
Real estate assets manager for promoters, banks, or real estate companies.
City Information Manager.
Environmental Impact studies engineers.

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How to start admission

To start the enrolment process for this programme you must complete and send the form that you will find at the bottom of these lines.

Next you will receive a welcome email detailing the three steps necessary to formalize the enrolment procedure:

1. Complete and confirm your personal details.

2. Validate your curriculum vitae and attach any additional required documentation, whenever this is necessary for admission.

3. Pay €110 in concept of the registration fee for the programme. This fee will be discounted from the total enrolment fee and will only be returned when a student isn't admitted on a programme.

Once the fee has been paid and we have all your documentation, we will assess your candidacy and, if you are admitted on the course, we will send you a letter of acceptance. This document will provide you with all the necessary information to formalize the enrolment process for the programme.

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Master's degree in Geographical Information Systems