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Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation for Environmental Modelling and Management (GEM)

With focus on environmental management and geo-information technologies such as remote sensing and GIS, this Master´s programme results in a double degree from two European universities.  As a student you choose your theme of your education from the following: 

  • Urban-Rural Interactions
  • Land Use System
  • Ecosystems and Natural Resources
  • Food Security

The programme aims to provide you with the skills and networks to better manage socio-ecological systems for sustainable and equitable growth globally.

Career prospects

As a GEM graduate, you will be skilled to work within the fields of geospatial sciences applied to social and environmental issues. Previous students of the GEM programme have had high employability. GEM alumni work today in governmental organizations, NGOs, academia, private sector or with entrepreneurship.

Programme Content

You choose your theme of the programme, which offers courses related to subjects such as remote sensing, GIS, environmental modelling, food security, biodiversity, forestry, ecosystem services, entrepreneurship and natural resource management. You will also get familiarity with project management including leadership, negotiation and communication skills.

The programme integrates the education of four leading university partners:

  • Lund University, Sweden (LU)
  • University of Tartu, Estonia (UT)
  • Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium (UCL)
  • University of Twente, The Netherlands (ITC)

There are four themes to choose from in this programme, starting in Tartu or Lund the first year. The second year of specialization is taken at either University of Twente or Universite Catholique de Louvain.

Internships are available during the 1st and 2nd years, depending on which theme you follow. This will extend your network and contact with people in the same profession.

Theme 1: Urban-Rural Interactions

Adressing the challenge of sustainably meeting the natural resource demands of a rapidly urbanizing world. UT provides geospatial analysis, basic remote sensing, GI method foundation and socio-ecological/urban and planning. ITC provides advanced remote sensing and entrepreneurship for natural resource management.

Theme 2: Land Use Systems

Focus on planning and assessing the impact of land use change in a changing climate.

UT provides the same first year as track one, but with year two at UCL focusing on environmental challenges related to agriculture, forestry and nature conservation in the context of climate change.

Theme 3: Ecosystems & Natural Resources 

Focus on management and valuation of natural resources to enhance the resilience of society.

LU provides the foundation year in geoinformatics, including GIS, geospatial analysis, remote sensing, ecosystem modelling and dynamic process-based spatial models. ITC provides the second year on natural resources management including courses on rangelands, ecosystem services and conservation.

Theme 4: Food Security

Addressing the challenge of food security in the context of climate change and associated socio-environmental vulnerabilities. LU provides the foundation year with UC Louvain hosting the specialization year on food security challenges related to crop production, including its inter-annual variability in a context of changing climate and its environmental impacts.

Applications

Find out more and apply at https://www.gem-msc.eu/

About GEM joint master´s programme

Fact box GEM

Level: Master
Credits: 120 ECTS
Program starts: Autumn
Language of instruction: English
Prerequisites: 
General admission requirements and courses equivalent to a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS) in natural sciences or engineering