Cartography is the business of making maps. The term «mapping» takes geographic information and transforms it into a map. A map is a graph that shows a simplified picture of some of the features of a part or the whole world.
Our definition of mapping describes it as the «art, science and technology» of mapping, a useful definition as it shows that mapping covers many disciplines and involves people with a variety of skills. Making maps is an exciting and creative profession.
Students interested in mapping specialize in cartography or seek a degree in geography or surveying. These programs incorporate extensive hands-on laboratory experience with classroom-based courses. There are universities and institutions that offer this program free of charge or offer the possibility of a scholarship.
Free Bachelor of Arts in Cartography provides technical training using tools employed by government and private sector cartographers. Students learn about remote sensing, spatial graphics software and global positioning systems.
In the Bachelor of Science in Cartography programs, students take classroom and lab courses that cover career-centered skills in data analysis and mapping.
A Bachelor of Science in Cartography interprets, collects, and measures geographic data. They create user-friendly maps and update graphs and maps for education and regional planning.
They may also be known as geographic information specialists because their maps support decisions involving business and marketing, geology, engineering, environmental studies, and land use planning.
Cartography graduates use many mapping tools and must keep up with advances in technology, such as the positioning capabilities of cell phones and car navigation systems. Graduate mappers use geodetic survey data and remote sensing systems in conjunction with satellites and aerial cameras.
They create maps and provide aerial surveys to governments to assist with regional and urban planning that may have information on population density and demographic characteristics.
Cartography graduates collect geographic data and prepare maps in graphic or digital form for educational and environmental purposes.
They create visual representations of data and collect information from aerial photographs, reports, satellite images, and ground surveys. A cartographer will update and make necessary changes from existing charts and maps.
Some government agencies require maps for national security and public safety work, as well as accurate maps to assist emergency services.
These are some of the topics that can be included in the programmatic content of a Bachelor of Cartography degree:
The degree program in Cartography generally takes four years.
There may be opportunities to become a specialist in areas such as GIS, photogrammetry, 3D visualization, map animation or desktop publishing, which may open up more opportunities.
There are also opportunities for experienced cartographers to become self-employed, providing a specialized product or service to other cartographic companies or publishers.
Alternative careers:
The prices of the Bachelor of Cartography can be varied. The prices of these degrees are between $6,347 and $36,805. In some cases it can have a higher cost.
The cost of this degree will vary according to the country where it is taught, the institution or university that teaches the degree, the modality, the duration and the materials provided during the study, among other factors.
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