Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS)

M.Sc. Spatial Information Management

Currently we do not accept applications for this program.

Environmental protection, route planning, disaster management and many more

Ever since GPS, mobile phones and the Internet have become an integral and necessary part of everyday life, the role of geographic information systems (GIS) can no longer be disputed. An abundance of desktop, Web and mobile applications are processing Geodata and Geoinformation, hence enabling a wide variety of applications. Environmental protection, route planning, disaster management, crime analysis, geodata collection or demographics are just a few examples of the critical role spatial information plays in our lives.

GIS experts are in higher demand than ever before

The Master's degree program "Spatial Information Management” (SIM) focuses on a range of specialized areas within geoinformatics, namely, natural hazards and risk management, site potential analysis, infrastructure planning, water resources management or traffic simulation and modeling. This program helps to make learners “spatially aware” and further develop the expertise required to compete in the international job market. Needless to say, GIS experts are in higher demand than ever before. Through project- and problem-oriented learning, students apply the theory of GIS and the skills learned from working with GI technologies to practical applications.

Students who choose the SIM program benefit from its extensive international network. Working in close collaboration with acclaimed partners in research and development, academia, public authorities, NGOs and private industry has led to experts with first-hand practical experience being invited as guest lecturers. And because of their broad and extensive knowledge and skills, students learn subjects like, spatial decision support, geomarketing or data modelling, by means of a highly practical approach.

Legal aspects and the societal impact of Geoinformation are also part of the SIM degree program. In addition, team building and leadership or technical and business communication are taught and practiced. In the second semester students choose between three areas of specialization: Environmental Monitoring & Security Management, Geoinformatics, or Spatial Technology Management. The fourth semester is entirely dedicated to producing a Master thesis that could include various areas of Geoinformation such as environmental monitoring, spatial analysis, big data, cartography, photogrammetry, sensors, terrain analysis, or urban planning.

Profile

The Master's degree program “Spatial Information Management” is a two-year graduate program that qualifies students for a wide variety of careers in various areas of GIS. Graduates of “Spatial Information Management” provide fast, up-to-date, and accurate integration, analysis, simulation, and visualization of the relevant spatial situation to stakeholders and decision-makers.

The SIM faculty has built an extensive network to the GIS professionals’ community and connects its students to high profile institutions of research, development, and academics. With applied research for solving real-life problems as the core of effective education, it follows that most of the thesis projects are conducted in cooperation with partners in public administration, academia, and the private sector. Students can pursue their interests by choosing one of the three areas of specialization: Environmental Monitoring & Security Management, Geoinformatics, or Spatial Technology Management. SIM keeps up-to-date with developments in GIScience and relevant fields by, for example, inviting distinguished scholars and young researchers to the “GI Research Colloquium” where talks are given on hot topics ranging from dealing with big data or geovisual analytics to open source software solutions or sensors on drones.

Key learning outcomes

Graduates of the Master Degree Program Spatial Information Management are able to:

• Analyze independently, as a GI application specialist, a space-related problem, and solve specific issues with the use of existing geo-data and methods.
• Integrate digital geographic data technically correctly in administrative and business processes.
• Model conceptually and formally.
• Manage the selection, integration, and application of state-of-the-art technologies.
• Calculate and manage independently GI projects.
• Apply interdisciplinary approaches in the international and domestic environment.

Job & career

The development of spatial scenarios opens a whole new world of professional opportunities. Highly qualified experts with the knowledge and skills we train in are in high demand and are needed to help find solutions for the challenges of our times. Such challenges include the increasing threat caused by terrorism, the shortage of natural resources, traffic congestion, or the monitoring of the health for the elderly. For these reasons, our graduates have excellent and exciting international career opportunities – within a broad spectrum of application fields such as:

• Natural Hazard Management
• Utilities Planning and Optimization of Electric, Energy and Telecom Networks
• Water-Supply and Water-Information Management
• Traffic Simulation and Modeling
• Regional and Local Planning
• Location-Based Services
• Public Participation
• Health and Human Services
• Security and Intelligence Services
• Environmental Resource Management
• Sales and Technology Marketing

Access to further studies

The successful completion of the master program in turn qualifies the graduate to undertake a doctorate according to § 6 FHStG (4) FHStG stands for Fachhochschul Studies Act).


Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS)
private non-profit foundation

Since its inception, the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) has developed into a unique educational institution in Carinthia. Due to the constant further development of the study programs of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and intensive cooperation with industry and science, CUAS students are sure to have a future-oriented education.

CUAS lives the model of immediate practical relevance. Principal and part-time employees, as well as guest lecturers from industry, ensure interdisciplinary, internationally oriented university education. Currently 36 degree programs are offered in the fields of technology, health, and social affairs, as well as economics.


7 Reasons to Study at CUAS

Face to face

We are known for our open and family atmosphere. At our university, great importance is attached to the personal coexistence of students, employees, and professors. Small working groups enable individual support.

Internationality

We are a university with an international orientation. CUAS cooperates with more than 160 universities worldwide. Infinitely cosmopolitan, located at the intersection of three cultures in the Alps-Adriatic region, very close to Italy and Slovenia, it offers local and international students excellent conditions for multilingual studies.

Practical orientation

The combination of study and practice ensures the quality of teaching and research, our many international guests and part-time teachers from industry and business provide this. Cooperation’s with regional and foreign companies not only ensure a practice-oriented range of courses but also guarantee scientific knowledge.

Future orientation and sustainability

Innovative courses of study at the cutting edge make CUAS a showcase for sustainable research and development. Promising topics in all areas of study play an important role.

Unique nature, culture, and way of life

Studying in Carinthia is fun! The university is immersed in idyllic mountains, valleys, and lakes. There is a vast selection of sports and leisure opportunities at any time of the year. The picturesque Carinthia landscape ensures a unique quality of life around your studies.

Creative, young, and dynamic atmosphere

In addition to their studies, young, dynamic networks provide perfect opportunities to gain a foothold in the start-up sector. Think-centers, incubators, attractive innovation workshops, and many events bring together students from CUAS and entrepreneurs from the region and enable them to get to know each other at an early stage for future joint projects.

The combination makes it

Where and above all, what you want to study wants to be well thought out. CUAS makes a choice very easy: Here, you will find the unique combination of a wide range of exciting and practice-oriented studies and a quality of life that is unparalleled.


In-service studies

In-service training is the key to personal career planning. As a student at CUAS your curriculum is organized in such a way that you can reconcile your studies and jobs.

Model

CUAS is a dynamic and dialogue-oriented university with regional roots and international orientation. It works in the fields of health and social affairs, technology, and economics. Its core tasks are in the areas of study and teaching, applied for research, knowledge transfer, and further education.

Vision

"We want to position ourselves as a university in teaching and applied research in our core areas of technology, business, health, and social issues at the top of Austrian universities!"

Charter of diversity

The Charter of Diversity is an initiative to promote appreciation of all members of society - regardless of gender, age, race and color, sexual orientation, religion and belief, and physical or mental disability. The Charter of Diversity is a public, voluntary commitment. It is based on the recognition that diversity is an essential feature of Europe - its history as well as its society. It sees and appreciates the benefits and opportunities that diversity offers.

University administration

CUAS was founded in 1995 in the legal form of an association as a carrier of the University of Applied Sciences study programs in Carinthia. The seat of the association was in Spittal an der Drau. Since the beginning of 2002, the University of Carinthia - Charitable Private Foundation has been the sponsor and maintainer of the University of Applied Sciences degree programs.

The private foundation is financed by contributions from the federal government, the state of Carinthia, and the communities of Villach, Spittal / Drau, Klagenfurt, and Feldkirchen. In addition, the membership fees of the association, which has become one of the 15 founders, as well as donations and proceeds from events, contribute to the financing of the operation of the organization.

The link between employee and employer

We are not only responsible for our actions, but also for what we do not do. (Moliere)

The works council is the link between the employees and the employer. The task is to act as a mediator, but also to act as a one-stop-shop. The current works council team harmonizes complements itself well and is eager to implement the concerns for all colleagues positively.

An elected works council can - based on the solidarity within the workforce - actively and consistently address and represent the concerns of its colleagues. In addition to the "core business," the representation of the staff towards the employer CUAS, the works council, also takes care of the promotion of the economic, social, health, and cultural interests of the employees.