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Master's Programme in Geoinformatics
Curriculum 2026–2028
About the programme
The Master’s Programme in Geoinformatics educates multi-skilled professionals in geoinformatics. The programme is interdisciplinary and integrates engineering applications with environmental and other sciences and teaches the most advanced techniques in geographic information acquisition, processing, analysis, and visualization.
Graduates have knowledge of all scientific subfields of geoinformatics – namely geodesy, photogrammetry, laser scanning, Earth observation, and spatial data science – and have in-depth knowledge in one or more of them. They are familiar with the state-of-the-art theories and techniques of the discipline and can apply mathematical, computational and visualization skills to the tasks they face as geoinformatics professionals.
Graduates can identify user requirements in geoinformatics, and assess the uncertainties, accuracy and reliability concerning spatial data and its use. They are able to apply spatial thinking, system’s thinking, and analytical thinking to solve complex real-world challenges using geographical and computational approaches.
Graduates understand and can apply spatial data collection methods, spatial data processing tools, spatial data management tools, spatial algorithms, and relevant software. They can summarize the process of the scientific method and apply their methodological and scientific skills to create new knowledge and applications related to geoinformatics.
Graduates are fluent in essential working-life skills, including writing, presentation, and project management skills, and can work independently and as team members.
Explore a plethora of career opportunities in the multifaceted field of geoinformatics! Our program seamlessly integrates students into real-world scenarios, fostering interaction and collaboration with leading companies and the public sector. Whether through engaging project courses or while crafting their MSc thesis, students will be at the forefront of practical experiences. Students can tailor their educational journey by designing a personalized study path that aligns with their passions. Count on our dedicated academic advisors to identify students’ strengths and interests, guiding them towards optimizing their unique study plans.
The Master’s programme in Geoinformatics provides students many exciting opportunities to work in various fields combining different aspects of geoinformatics, read more from here:
Degree structure
| Major studies | 60 ECTS |
| Master's thesis | 30 ECTS |
| Elective studies | 30 ECTS |
| Total credits | 120 ECTS |
Course descriptions in Sisu
Major studies (60 ECTS)
Code: ENG22
Scope: 60 ECTS
Programme Director: Professor Maaria Nordman
Pääaineen nimi suomeksi: Geoinformatiikka
Huvudämne på svenska: Geoinformatik
Compulsory studies (30 ECTS)
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIS-E1110 | Geodesy and Positioning D | 6 | Period I (First year), English |
| GIS-E1120 | From Measurements to Maps D | 6 | Period I (First year), English |
| GIS-E1130 | Introduction to Spatial Data Analysis D | 6 | Periods I-II (First year), English |
| GIS-E1140 | Photogrammetry, Laser Scanning and 3D Data Processing D | 6 | Period II (First year), English |
| GIS-E1150 | Remote Sensing and Scientific Writing for Geoinformatics Professionals D | 6 | Period II (First year), English |
Optional studies (select 30 ECTS from courses below)
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | Teaching |
|---|---|---|---|
| GIS-E3020 | Digital Image Processing and Feature Extraction D | 5 | Period III (First year), English |
| GIS-E4040 | Spatial Data Science for Sustainable Development D | 5 | Period III (First year), English |
| GIS-E5050 | Advanced Geodesy D | 5 | Period III (First year), English |
| GIS-E3040 | Advanced Photogrammetry D | 5 | Period IV (First year), English |
| GIS-E4030 | GIS Development D | 5 | Periods IV-V (First year), English |
| GIS-E3050 | Advanced Remote Sensing D | 5 | Period V (First year), English |
| GIS-E6010 | Project Course D | 10 | Periods I-II (Second year), English |
| GIS-E6020 | Special Course in Geoinformatics D | 1 - 5 | Periods I,II,III,IV,V, English |
Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the programme, agreed upon by the student and the supervisor, who is specialised in the thesis topic. Professors from the programme provide master's thesis topics, which are connected to their current research activities. Alternatively, students can propose their own topics to their chosen supervisor.
The recommended time for the thesis project is the second-year spring semester. Students are advised to start searching for a thesis topic well before this period.
At Aalto School of Engineering, the master’s thesis supervisor may be a Professor, Adjunct Professor, Professor of Practice, Senior University Lecturer, or Principal University Lecturer. The thesis advisor must hold at least a master’s degree. The master's thesis includes a seminar presentation and a maturity test.
Detailed instructions for the master's thesis at the School of Engineering are available in the Master’s Thesis Guide on the .
| Code | Course name | ECTS credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE.thes | Master's thesis | 30 | Second year |
| ENG.matr | Maturity test | 0 | Second year |
Elective studies (30 ECTS)
For your free elective studies, you can study courses offered by Aalto University or by other universities as it is possible by Aalto internal and inter institutional agreements and procedures and course specific prerequisites.
Elective studies must be university level studies that fulfill the degree requirements and, in general, studies that are offered as degree studies at the university in question. Universities also offer courses that are targeted for a larger audience. The suitability of these studies is evaluated taking into consideration the learning outcomes of the degree that the courses are planned to be included in.
Alternatively, you can deepen your expertise by taking more of our advanced courses as elective studies or broaden your expertise by choosing courses from Aalto’s other programmes or from different universities.
Completing a minor is not compulsory in your programme. If you want to include a minor (20-25 ECTS) into your degree, please note that it needs to be an advanced level minor or one of the following minors: List of the new minors offered by language center, for example, “S2 – Finnish as a second language”. Please see the list of all advanced level minors offered by Aalto University under Minors.
You can also include max 5 ECTS of practical training (ENG-E1010 Practical training) in your elective studies. You can find information on practical training on (MyCourses).
The choice for elective studies is yours: the most important thing is that your elective studies complement your major studies and provide you with expertise that you personally feel important and inspiring for your career.
Please note that the total number of credits for a master's degree (major studies, elective studies and master's thesis) is 120 ECTS.
GISwap studies
GIS programme has arranged a special opportunity for the students in the Master’s Programme in Geoinformatics to take following courses from the University of Helsinki (check the status of the courses and any changes before registration for the courses):
| Code (Helsinki University) | Name of the course | Teaching period | Description | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GEOK3001 | Geo-Python | Period I | Geo-Python course is recommended for students without earlier experience in Python programming, and for those who would like to refresh their Python programming skills. | During the first year of studies (Period I) |
| GEOG-329-2 | Automating GIS Processes | Period II | Automating GIS Processes course is recommended for students interested in specializing in GIS and spatial data science. | During the first year of studies |
| GEOG-G301 | Introduction to Advanced Geoinformatics | Period II | Introduction to Advanced Geoinformatics course is recommended for students interested in specializing in GIS and spatial data science. | During the second year of studies |
| GEOM2046 | Satellite Positioning | Periods I-II | Satellite positioning course is recommended for anyone interested in satellite positioning basics, theory and applications. Offered every other year (2024, 2026. | Preferably after GIS-E1010 Geodesy and positioning, but can be taken also simultaneously, i.e. first or second year of studies. |
| GEOG-349 | Cartographic Visualization in GIS | Period V (May) | Cartographic visualization course is recommended for all interested students, especially for the students specializing in GIS and spatial data science. | During the first year of studies |
According to , student shall demonstrate proficiency in Finnish and Swedish language that is required of central government staff in bilingual public organisations under subsection 1 of section 6 of the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) andt hat is necessary for their own field; and proficiency in at least one foreign language that enablesstudents to monitor progress in their own field and operate in an international setting.
Student's bachelor's degree completed in Finland
Compulsory language studies are included as part of the Finnish Bachelor’s degree.
Student's bachelor's degree not completed in Finland
Students are required to complete 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency. Relevant courses (marked with ‘o’ and ‘w’) are offered by the Aalto University Language Center.
Students who already have excellent command of English (for example, English as their first language) may choose 3 ECTS of Finnish or Swedish (basic level) courses instead, hence not covering the requirement of oral/written proficiency but meeting the language requirement of the degree.
In cases where student have received their pre-university education in a language of Finnish or Swedish, the language requirements are following: the student must take 2 ECTS in the second national language and 3 ECTS in one foreign language, including both oral and written proficiency. In these cases contact Learning Services.
Language studies are included in students’ elective studies and are agreed in the personal study plan.
Please find more information about language courses and information about learning languages from the Language Centre of Aalto University.