Principles of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation | Home ITC (2024)

Geo-information Systems and Science (GIS) and Earth Observation by Remote Sensing (RS) are among the main focus areas at ITC. With the help of GIS and RS we increase our understanding of processes that shape our environment, predict the possible effects of changes, and provide information to support planning and policy making. In this course you will learn the principles of GIS and RS and how to apply them in the handling and processing of geospatial data. The course will take you through the main stages of a geospatial problem-solving cycle: from the identification of a geospatial problem via the exploration and analysis of map data and RS images, to the generation of relevant geospatial information.

For whom is the course relevant?

The course is especially relevant for professionals (scientists and practitioners) with an academic background who deal with geospatial data but have only a limited knowledge of GIS and earth observation principles in their field of application.

If you already know the principles of GIS and earth observation you could opt for the ten-weekcourse Applicationsof Geo-information Science and Earth Observation.

What is the course content?

The course content is organized in different course components:

Course 1 - GIS & RS for Geospatial Solutions

Course 2 -Geospatial data: concepts, acquisition and management

Course 3 -Geospatial analysis and interpretation

The course starts with an introductionofthe geospatial problem-solving approach. Next, the main GIS and RS concepts relevant for the acquisition, management and explorationofgeospatial data are considered. The course continues with a focus on the analysisofgeo-data, including remote sensing images, and the generationofgeo-information. This includes attention for quality aspectsofthe geo-data and the effect on the resultsofgeospatial analysis. In the last two weeksofthe course you will carry out a project, in which you apply the geospatial problem-solving approach to produce geo-information relevant for a specific geospatial problem issue. Throughout the course you will develop hands-on experience in using selected GIS and RS software tools (in 2021: QGIS). Course examination consistsoftwo written tests and an individual project assignment.

What will be achieved?

After completion of the course you will be able to generate information from earth observation and GIS data sources, to support the study and visualization of environmental and human process. In addition, the course provides a strong theoretical basis, develops practical skills in the collection and analysis of spatial data, and in the visualization of geographic information.

Why choose this course?

By studying in an international and multicultural environment, you will become acquainted with ready-to-use GIS and earth observation tools and methods. Through the application of this knowledge and skills, youwill be able to leverage informed decision making within many organizations.

The short course Principles of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation is part of the accredited Master's Geo-information Science and Earth Observation. If you decide to take the full Master’s Geo-information Science and Earth Observationat ITC, this course counts as part of a full programme; therefore upon successful completion, you will be granted an exemption for the first quartile of the two-year Master’s programme.

About your diploma

Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive a Certificate which will include the name of the course.

Admission requirements

Academic level and background

Applicants for the Certificate programme should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

Some courses in the Certificate programme or separate modules require knowledge of, and skills in, working with GIS and/or digital image processing of remotely sensed data.

Skills in taught or related subjects are a prerequisite for some courses in the Certificate programme or separate modules. Even if the applicant satisfies the overall admission requirements, acceptance is not automatic.

Documentation

The faculty accepts transcripts, degrees and diplomas in thelanguages: Dutch, English, and German. It is at the discretion of the faculty to require additional English translations of all documents in other languages as well.

Language skills

Success in your studies requires a high level of English proficiency. Therefore, prospective students with an international (other than Dutch) degree must meet the English language requirement. As proof that you meet this requirement, you will be asked in the application procedure to upload one of the requested language certificates:

• IELTS(academic) with an overall band score of at least 6.0 (with a minimum sub-score of 6.0 for speaking and writing) and certificates not older than two years.
• TOEFL iBT(internet-based) with an overall score of 80 (with a minimum sub-score of 20 for speaking) and certificates not older than two years. Please note that the University of Twente does not accept the MyBest scores of the TOEFL test.
• Cambridge C1 AdvancedFormerly known as; Cambridge English Advanced (CAE), obtained with an A, B or C grade.
• Cambridge C2 ProficiencyFormerly known as; Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE) obtained with an A, B or C grade.

Only these internationally recognised test results are accepted.Without a valid certificate, we cannot process your application.

Other requirements

• Ensure you have obtained a valid English test resultbefore theapplication deadline.If your application is accompanied by a language test score report with a test date after our application deadline, we will not process it. Therefore,make sure to do the test in advance, as it will take time for you to get the official certificate.
• When applying for a scholarship, the language requirements may be different because scholarship providers may have different requirements.

Exemptions
You are exempted from the English language requirement if you hold:

• a relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution in the Netherlands
• if you are a national of one of the countries inthis list (PDF)
• a three-year bachelor's degree in Australia, Canada (English-speaking part), Ireland, New Zealand, UK or USA. When your awarding institution is in one of these countries, but your teaching institution was not, you are not exempted. The same rule applies to distance (online) education.

Computer skills

If you lack computer experience, we strongly advise you to follow basic courses in your home country.

Notebook requirements

When you study in an ITC programme, you should have a notebook computer that meets ITC's technical notebook requirements.

Key information