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Physical Geography: Geographical Databases

Course · 7.5 credits

Description

The course is an elective course at advanced level for a master's degree in GIS and Remote sensing and for a master's degree in Physical geography and Ecosystem science, all specializations.

The aim of this course is to provide students with the theoretical understanding of how a geographic database is built-up and how it can be used. You will study key concepts for handling geographic databases with special focus on spatial databases, object oriented modelling of the contents of geographic databases, the query language SQL (and spatial development of this) and indexing of spatial data. You are introduced to concepts of open source code for geographic databases and so called "Volunteered Geographic Information" (VGI). After completion of the course you should also have the practical ability to model, create and use a geographic database in a correct way.

On completion of the course, the student shall be able to:

  • explain how query languages can be used to create an advanced relational database and how it is used for advanced data selection
  • describe how geographic data are stored in a searchable way in a database
  • analyse advantages and disadvantages to store geographic data in a database compared with storing in a file structure
  • give an account of basic concepts in object oriented modelling and explain how object oriented modelling can be used to describe the structure for a geographic database.
  • independently create an object oriented model for the structure of a geographic database by means of a standard tool for database modelling
  • communicate with a database developed for geographic data

Teaching

The teaching consists of theoretical lectures and practical exercises. The practical exercises are connected to the theoretical concepts and highlight these with data from relevant applications. The course also contains a final compulsory group work project presented in a written report. Participation in exercises and projects and associated components is compulsory.

Closed for applications

Application opportunities

Contact

Stud advisor

Susanna Olsson

Phone: +46 46 2223622

Email: susanna [dot] olsson [at] nateko [dot] lu [dot] se

Physical geography student office

Requirements and selection

Entry requirements

Admission to the course requires at least 90 credits in natural sciences or technology of which at least 15 credits should be in Geographic information science equivalent  to NGEA11 geographic information systems. English 6/English B.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

English language requirements

Most of Lund University’s programmes require English Level 6 (unless otherwise stated under 'Entry requirements'). This is the equivalent of an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or a TOEFL score of 90. There are several ways to prove your English language proficiency – check which proof is accepted at the University Admissions in Sweden website. All students must prove they meet English language requirements by the deadline, in order to be considered for admission.

How to prove your English proficiency – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements

Check if there are any country-specific eligibility rules for you to study Bachelor's or Master's studies in Sweden:

Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se

Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se

Apply

Start Spring Semester 2025

Day-time Lund, part time 50%

In English

Study period

20 January 2025 - 21 March 2025

Application

You can only apply for this course in the 'Swedish student' application round. Find out more: Applying for studies – when to apply

How to apply

Lund University uses a national application system run by University Admissions in Sweden. It is only possible to apply during the application periods.

When to apply for studies

Step 1: Apply online

  • Check that you meet the entry requirements of the programme or course you are interested in (refer to the section above on this webpage).
  • Start your application – go to the University Admissions in Sweden website where you create an account and select programmes/courses during the application period.
    Visit the University Admissions in Sweden website
  • Rank your programme/course choices in order of preference and submit them before the application deadline.

Step 2: Submit documents

  • Read about how to document your eligibility and how to submit your documents at the University Admissions in Sweden website. Follow any country-specific document rules for Master's studies or Bachelor's studies
    Country-specific requirements for Bachelor's studies – universityadmissions.se
    Country-specific requirements for Master's studies – universityadmissions.se
     
  • Get all your documents ready:
    - official transcripts and high school diploma (Bachelor's applicants)
    - official transcripts and degree certificate or proof that you are in the final year of your Bachelor's (Master's applicants)
    - passport/ID (all applicants) and
    - proof of English proficiency (all applicants).
     
  • Prepare programme-specific documents if stated in the next paragraph on this webpage.
  • Upload or send all required documents to University Admissions before the document deadline.
  • Pay the application fee (if applicable – refer to the section below on this webpage) before the document deadline.

* Note that the process is different if you are applying as an exchange student or as a part of a cooperation programme (such as Erasmus+).
* If you have studied your entire Bachelor's programme in Sweden and all of your academic credits are in Ladok, you do not have to submit transcripts or your diploma when applying for a Master's programme. However, there may still be other documents you need to submit! See the link below. 
Svensk student? 
Läs instruktionerna om att söka till ett internationellt masterprogram på lu.se

Tuition fees

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 21 250

First payment: SEK 21 250

Convert currency – xe.com

Citizens of a country outside of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland are required to pay tuition fees. You pay one instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

EU/EEA citizens and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.

Application fee

If you are required to pay tuition fees, you are generally also required to pay an application fee of SEK 900 when you apply at the University Admissions in Sweden website. You pay one application fee regardless of how many programmes or courses you apply to.


*Note that there are no tuition or application fees for exchange students or doctoral/PhD students, regardless of their nationality.

Scholarships & funding

Lund University Global Scholarship programme

The Lund University Global Scholarship programme is a merit-based and selective scholarship targeted at top academic students from countries outside the EU/EEA.

Lund University Global Scholarship

Within the framework of the Lund University Global Scholarship programme, the University also offers the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Scholarship targeted at top academic students from selected African research universities.

ARUA Scholarship

Swedish Institute Scholarships

The Swedish Institute offers scholarships to international students applying for studies in Sweden at Master's level.

Scholarship information on the Swedish Institute website

Country-specific scholarships and funding options

Lund University has agreements with scholarship organisations and funding bodies in different countries, which may allow applicants to apply for funding or scholarships in their home countries for their studies at Lund University.

Country-specific scholarships

External scholarships

Information about scholarships from external organisations