Space Geoinformatics

Enrollment status: full-time
Duration: 2 years
Qualification: Master Degree
Price: 109 000 RUB per year

The program is aimed at professional training of specialists in the area of development and operation of geoinformatic systems, products and services based on Earth Remote Sensing (ERS) data.
The program relies on potential of globally acknowledged scientific school of the Russian Federation, “Computer Optics, Image Processing and Geoinformatics”, under the guidance of a distinguished member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara University President Viktor Soifer.
The academic process is integrated into the scientific research, innovative and productive activity of the university and its partners – leading Russian and foreign enterprises of aerospace and IT industries.
The research and academic infrastructure involved in the education process includes a research laboratory and in-house space data receiving and processing center.
An important element of the program is teaching most of the core disciplines and working with study materials in English language.
Graduates of the program are in demand mainly with space and IT industry companies engaged in development and operation of ERS and geographic information systems.

Brief characterisation of the programme
The Master’s program profile – Space Geoinformatics – is unique for the Russian Federation. It is intended for training of professionals for one of the most promising and fast-growing segments of the global economy, i.e. development and operation of geographic information systems, as well as creation of products and services based on use of ERS data.
Presently, the use of satellite data encompasses city planning, natural resources development, agriculture, mapping and navigation, transport and Earth climate studies. This data is used as the basis for mobile applications, geolocation services, ecological monitoring systems, damage assessment for insurance claims, real estate appraisal, as well as disaster relief etc.
The program is aimed at forming an array of knowledge, skills and competencies that would enable the graduates to successfully develop and use geographic information systems, products and services based on the Earth Remote Sensing (ERS) data received via space modules.

Features (advantages) of the programme

• The program relies on potential of globally acknowledged scientific school of the Russian Federation, “Computer Optics, Image Processing and Geoinformatics”, under the guidance of a distinguished member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Samara University President Viktor Soifer.
• The academic process is integrated into the scientific research, innovative and productive activity of the university and its partners - leading Russian and foreign enterprises of aerospace and IT industries.
• The classes are delivered by acclaimed scientists and lecturers with candidate or doctoral degree.
• An important element of the program is teaching most of the core disciplines and working with study materials in English language.
• Core curriculum is taught by leading specialists of partner enterprises that possess a vast practical experience in the area of ERS data receiving and processing, as well as geographic information technologies and systems.
• The structure of the graduating department includes a scientific research laboratory performing a large scope of core R&D work, extensively involving the students and postgraduates. 
• The laboratory includes University space data receiving and processing center. The center is equipped with in-house stations receiving data from foreign and Russian space ERS modules.

Academic programme structure (curriculum features)
The academic program curriculum has following specific features:

• maximum use of the university scientific school potential in the area of image processing and geoinformatics; 
• in-depth study of mathematical methods of signals and images digital processing, pattern recognition, as well as geoinformation technologies;
• preparation of an individual scientific research work by Master’s degree students in order to obtain experience in specific professional areas relevant to the demand in personnel of the partner companies.

The Master’s academic program includes following disciplines:
humanities

• Foreign language,
• History, methodology and modern philosophy of science; 

general engineering

• Modern methods of complex program systems design and development, 
• Mathematical background of data protection and information security; 

core

• Image processing methods, 
• Pattern recognition methods, 
• Geoinformatics systems and technologies, 
• Photogrammetry and computer vision,
• Earth remote sensing theoretical background, 
• Earth remote sensing space systems, 
• Geoinformatics and Earth remote sensing applied problems, 
• Master's research work, 
• Master's research practice.

Future profession
Graduates of the program are in demand mainly with space and IT industry companies engaged in development and operation of ERS and geographic information systems, products and services based on ERS data use.
The professional pursuits of program graduates center on:

• R&D work in the area of applied mathematics and informatics, as well as advanced geoinformation technologies,
• mathematical and information models of ERS data receipt, processing, accumulation and analysis,
• methods, algorithms and information technologies for processing and recognition of Earth space images,
• software and data support of geoinformation systems, on-board and ground ERS data receipt, processing, accumulation and analysis systems.

The graduates are ready to take office in engineering, research and management.

Contacts:
Programme curator: Ekaterina Stepanova
Tel.: 8 (846) 267-49-90
E-mail: admission@ssau.ru