Specialization "Applied Earth Sciences"

of the master 'Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (MSc)'


The sustainable use of land and earth resources is a key factor in economic development. In our daily life, we are continuously confronted with things and situations that have a direct link with earth resources and related processes. The buildings in which we live and work are constructed of materials from the earth; the soil produces our daily food; and mineral resources provide fuel for our transport and cooking.

However, the same processes that shape the environment in which we live can also be extremely destructive. Disastrous events such as the tsunami in Southeast Asia and the earthquakes in Peru and Indonesia show that the forces of nature can have a huge impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.

A range of tools and techniques have been developed to make inventories of all the resources at our disposal, and to plan and manage their best possible use in a way that benefits not only the present population but also future generations. These tools and techniques provide adequate spatial and temporal information on resources and processes, and make it possible to use the available resources wisely, foresee risks, and plan accordingly.