What is Cartographic education?
Answers
Educational Requirements for Cartographers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), notes that since cartographers work in the technical field of geospatial information, they usually require sophisticated computer skills and complete degree programs. Cartography programs teach students to compile geographical data and to use computer applications to map geographical surfaces.
Undergraduate Degrees
Students interested in cartography generally earn a bachelor's degree with a major in a physical science, cartography, geography or surveying. Cartography coursework in these programs includes computer-assisted design (CAD), satellite navigation, computer-assisted mapping (CAM), computer-assisted cartography (CAC), database design and visual data mining. Other appropriate course topics may cover spatial thinking and visualization, cartographic theory, map production and the cultural aspects of maps.
Master's Programs
A master's degree in geospatial or geographic information can generally be completed in two years and may require approximately 36 hours. Programs are offered with thesis and non-thesis options, though non-thesis options may require a comprehensive exam. These programs may include such advanced course topics as foundations of geographic theory, map design, geographical computer applications, Internet-based geographical information systems (GIS) and remote-sensing technology. Other courses may look at issues including land use, urban planning, and the environmental impact of certain human activities, such as tourism.
Job Duties
To make maps, cartographers often look at a wide variety of data, including elevations, distances and longitude, the impact of weather on the land and human factors such as population and demographics. These maps may be in the form of digitalized images or printed work. Although most of a cartographer's job is performed in an office, some projects require fieldwork.
Cartographers may also be called geographic information specialists, geographical information systems (GIS) specialists, or mapping technicians. These professionals often collaborate and work closely with photogrammetrists, who specialize in extracting measurement data from photos.
Career Information
According to the BLS, cartography and photogrammetry jobs are concentrated in architecture, engineering and related services, which encompass 33% of all positions. The BLS reports that job opportunities for cartographers and photogrammetrists are growing at a faster than average pace with a projected employment increase of 29% from 2014-2024. In May, 2015, the median annual salary for cartographers and photogrammetrists was $61,880.
A career as a cartographer requires at least a bachelor's degree. There are also master's degree programs that can help you prepare for a career in this field. Cartographers make maps, and this field is rapidly growing at an above average pace.
The Commission has also been active in soliciting reports on cartographic education from a number of countries. These reveal a picture varying in strength and opportunity, but also reductions and decline in the provision of such education.
In the Netherlands, for example, there is no longer any full course in cartography. There are, however, programmes in geoinformatics, geography, GIS etc, incorporating varying cartography/geodata visualisation content. On the other hand, Germany shows a more promising picture: four schools of higher education offer cartographic education, both the Technical University and the Fachhochschule in Dresden, along with the Universities of Applied Sciences in Berlin and in Karlsruhe.
Greece has a mixture of focused cartographic courses, at the National Technical University of Athens (School of Rural and Surveying Engineering), the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Schools of Rural and Surveying Engineering and of Regional Planning and Development), the Aegean University (School of Geography), Harokopeio University of Athens (School of Geography) and GIS education which includes cartography at, for example, the University of Thessaly (School of Regional Planning and Development). This motley European picture is repeated around the world, as revealed by the list of courses on the Commission's website.