Graduate School for Geoinformatics Graduate School for Geoinformatics

Degree

Dr rer nat

Teaching language

• English

Languages

English only

Programme duration

6 semesters

Beginning

Only for doctoral programmes: any time

Application deadline

https://www.uni-muenster.de/Geoinformatics/en/Studies/study_programs/PhD/application/index.html

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Combined Master’s degree / PhD programme

No

Joint degree / double degree programme

No

Description/content

The Graduate School for Geoinformatics (GSGI) provides a structured doctoral education in the interdisciplinary field of Geoinformatics. The concept of the Graduate School relies on the International Research Training Group (IRTG) on Semantic Integration of Geospatial Integration (2008-2013), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).

GI (Geoinformation) is a powerful economic factor: around 80% of all decisions in society are said to have a spatial component, due to the fact that everything happens somewhere at some time. GI is essential to numerous application areas, ranging from environmental and regional planning through transportation and logistics to telecommunication and energy provision. As a result of substantial growth, there is a severe lack of qualified GI professionals in industry, government, and academia. Globally, geospatial technology is often mentioned as a high-growth industry sector. Career chances for graduates with GI-related skills can therefore be considered to be very good.

Therefore, the objectives of the Graduate School for Geoinformatics are to accomplish the following:

Create an international centre of excellence for research on information integration, with a focus on both geospatial applications and locational reference as an integration enabler

Foster innovation in this area through a highly interdisciplinary research environment

Produce a critical mass of excellent graduates with doctoral degrees who will be well positioned to compete internationally for strategic and leadership positions in industry, government, and academia

Course organisation

Research programme:
The research programme targets substantial progress on semantic interoperability, spatial data science, spatial intelligence, and situated computing. Consequently, the graduate school currently hosts doctoral researchers from various backgrounds, such as geoinformatics, computer science, geography, ecology, mathematics, and information systems.

Qualification concept:
The education and training programme is structured into six phases, each of them containing a small set of specific milestones. An integral part of the education and training programme is the modular course programme (equivalent to 30 ECTS credit points), which includes an optional one-month training module and a six-month mobility measure with an external partner. The education and training programme represents a joint and harmonised education effort, combining existing and specially developed courses and other qualification measures into a synergistic and flexible structure. Innovative aspects of the programme are an annual international symposium organised by the students themselves, a monthly virtual joint seminar using teleconferencing between the sites, a vibrant visiting researcher programme, and career development measures targeted to the job market.

The Graduate School for Geoinformatics produces a critical mass of excellent graduates with doctoral degrees in a field in which experts are needed economically and socially. Education will be at the highest level (level eight) of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) with the respective learning outcomes:

• knowledge at the most advanced frontier of Geographic Information Science and at the interface between fields such as Computer Science, Information Systems, Geosciences, and others
• the most advanced and specialised skills and techniques for acquiring, managing, integrating and using GI, required to solve the critical problems in research and society mentioned above
• demonstrated GI competence in terms of substantial authority, innovation, autonomy, scholarly and professional integrity, and sustained commitment to the development of new ideas or processes at the forefront of work in industry, government, and research, with strong leadership skills

Graduates of the Graduate School for Geoinformatics will apply and develop methods for computer-supported solutions to spatially referenced problems (global, regional, local). They receive specialised knowledge in Geospatial Technologies and Geographic Information Science as well as in Informatics and Mathematics. The following core competencies are taught within the regular courses or in additional courses: English language, research methods, creative and critical thinking for problem-solving, decision-making and responsibility, individual initiative, teamwork, presentation of results (oral, written), practical experience, multicultural competencies.

International elements

• International guest lecturers
• Projects with partners in Germany and abroad
• Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Integrated study abroad unit(s)

Research visit at an international research institution

Course-specific, integrated German language courses

No

Course-specific, integrated English language courses

No

Tuition fees per semester in EUR

None

Semester contribution

Semester fee of 311.13 EUR per semester, including a semester ticket covering public transport for the greater Münster area and the German federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia

You can find more information on the semester fee here:

https://www.uni-muenster.de/studieninteressierte/en/einschreibung/semesterbeitrag.shtml

Costs of living

We recommend that students budget at least 900 EUR per month to cover personal expenses (accommodation, living expenses and health insurance).

Funding opportunities within the university

Yes

Description of the above-mentioned funding opportunities within the university

The Graduate School for Geoinformatics is not in itself a funded project. Consequently, the call for applications primarily offers places and supervision for doctoral researchers. These places might be accompanied by scholarships or research positions (see each specific call).

Academic admission requirements

The formal requirement is a Master’s degree. The graduate school hosts doctoral researchers from various backgrounds, such as geoinformatics, computer science, geography, ecology, mathematics, and information systems.

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills: TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or equivalent.

Application deadline

https://www.uni-muenster.de/Geoinformatics/en/Studies/study_programs/PhD/application/index.html

Submit application to

See: https://www.uni-muenster.de/Geoinformatics/en/Studies/study_programs/PhD/application/index.html

Accommodation

As in all popular university cities in Germany, accommodation is in high demand and is not easy to find in Münster – but it’s not impossible either!

The university (International Office for students, WWU Graduate Centre for doctoral candidates) will offer advice. Please also note that the University of Münster (just like most public German universities) does not have its own student halls of residence.

Structured research and supervision

Yes

Research training / discussion

Yes

Specific specialist or non-specialist support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Welcome event
• Tutors
• Specialist counselling

University of Münster

University location