Cartography and geoinformatics specialty. Cartography and Geoinformatics

A specialist cartographer deals with the preparation of maps in paper and electronic form.

The science of cartography consists of two interrelated areas - theoretical and applied cartography. Cartographer theorists are working on a methodology for visualizing the volumetric terrain on a horizontal plane, on the creation of a methodology for various thematic atlases and maps of the area, as well as a methodology for digitizing maps.

Applied cartography collects data from the earth's surface or planets of the solar system and compiles new cartographic material based on this information and its publication in paper or electronic form.

Cartographers collect information using methods of terrestrial landscape survey, using aerial and space surveys (using aircraft and satellites).

In order to enroll in a cartographer, as a rule, universities must provide the results of the exam in the following disciplines:

• the result of the exam in the Russian language;
• points received in mathematics;
• in informatics and information and communication technologies;
• in some universities, instead of informatics, you need to provide the results of the exam in geography.

For example, at the Moscow State University. Lomonosov. Moreover, at Moscow State University they are still taking an interview in geography.
Moreover, the results of these disciplines are needed for all forms of education - for full-time, part-time, evening and distance learning.

For full-time studies, the term of study is four years of bachelor's degree.

The passing ball for the specialty Cartography at a university, as a rule, is from 130 to 190 points, depending on the prestige of a particular university. However, a pleasant distinctive feature of the specialty 05.03 03 Cartography is the fact that even in top universities there are a lot of budget places.

Specialty cartography: Universities

• Moscow State University Lomonosov;
• SPbSU;
• KFU.

It is noteworthy that the profile Moscow State University of Geodesy and Cartography occupies only the thirteenth place in the rating.

Work in the specialty cartography

As for where to work in the specialty of cartography, it can be research institutes of geodesy, the world's oceans, space.

In design bureaus and scientific laboratories, which develop equipment and special equipment for ground surveys, as well as aerial and space surveys of the earth's surface.

At cartographic industries and publishing houses publishing topography materials in electronic and paper versions.

In IT companies that design and manufacture online maps.

For career growth in the work of a cartographer, you should have solid special geodetic, geographical, cartographic knowledge, as well as knowledge in mathematics, computer science. You need to have the skill and experience of collecting and organizing topographic information, scaling and drawing maps, professionally use GLONASS and GIS systems.

Regarding the opportunities for whom one can work with the specialty Cartography, these are the widest opportunities from an engineer-cartographer up to the heads of R&D, institutes and entire scientific areas in the field of cartography and geodesy.

The number of maps in the modern world cannot be counted, since it is possible to draw up a map of any phenomenon, process or object. Who is doing this?

Electronic and paper

Cartography is both old and young science. Ptolemy also made the maps; cartographers took part in the great geographical discoveries. However, in our time, with the development of computers and the Internet, in addition to ordinary paper cards, electronic, digital cards began to spread.
Such maps - they are also called "smart" - are executed on the basis of geographic information technologies (GIS) in raster or vector formats. Important advantages of this approach are fast updateability based on fresh data, as well as interactivity, when each user can make their own changes and additions and even create their own maps.
GIS allows you to link a huge amount of information to a map and update it in a timely manner. They store whole terabytes of maps and images of the earth's surface, plus background information about different territories of the earth.

Do you know what a navigator is? This handy and useful device just uses the data of cartographic navigation satellites in conjunction with GIS.
Cartographic navigation systems were created in the USA (GPS) and the European Union (Magellan). This is being created in Russia ("Glonass").
Most modern GISs present maps in 4D format, when the fourth dimension is time (such maps can be instantly changed in real time, adding the latest information).
Anamorphosis maps are also quite interesting. So called maps of the territory, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is not real, but proportional to some quantitative indicator - for example, the standard of living of the population. Anamorphoses look quite extravagant, since the drawing of countries and territories is not at all the same as we are used to seeing it on a "normal" map. The first such maps were created at the University of the English city of Sheffield. Anamorphoses are also created here in Russia, for example, in the analytical company "Mercator" at the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Along with creative digital maps, the good old paper maps and atlases have not lost their significance - the highest quality of them are produced in Russia, Germany and France.

Topography

Before getting into the hands of the user, the card goes a long way.
First, based on images of the Earth and a pre-selected projection, a cartographic base is obtained, which is then filled with various content.

The basis is obtained in two ways: this is a ground survey of the area, or aerial and space photography.
Ground surveys are carried out by topographers - wherever they are! And in the mountains, and in the desert, and in the tundra, and in the jungle, and in the taiga ... Topographer is one of the most mobile professions.
The topographer has two main tools - a level for determining heights and a theodolite for measuring distances. Of course, in the last half century, ground-based imagery has been supplanted by space sensing of the Earth. But in the most inaccessible places of the planet when creating maps of the area, the role of a topographer is irreplaceable!

Production of paper maps

After the topographer understands his stage of work, the basis of the map compiled by him is filled with content - content. Theoretical cartographers develop principles and methods for obtaining thematic maps and atlases, and cartographers engineers put these principles into practice in production conditions in cartographic factories.
The cartographic bureau at the factory makes a map layout in accordance with the customer's wishes. Then the layout goes to the editor and proofreader: they have to reveal inaccuracies in the content, including in toponymy (names). The approved layout is sent to the production facility and the card begins mass printing there.
Consultants from other fields of knowledge are involved in the work on the map. So, meteorologists, climatologists, forecasters take part in the creation of climatic maps. In creating economic maps - economists, managers, economic geographers. In the creation of recreational maps - tourism specialists.
However, the central place in this creative team belongs to the cartographer.

Production of digital cards

And this process takes place with the help of GIS based on the appropriate computer programs. Here the cartographer interacts with programmers, who, while creating cartographic software, actually become cartographers themselves - albeit not certified.
In the simplest case, digital and Internet maps are created by digitizing conventional paper maps. Anyone can scan a paper card - and then, if desired, simply upload it to the Web. However, information and computer technologies are present in cartographic education for a reason: the result of close interaction of professional cartographers and informatics is complex cartographic services on the Internet, some of which provide information online (Google Planet Earth, Russian service Kosmosnimki and others ). Cartographic resources on the World Wide Web are very popular - and they have a great future: it is not for nothing that Microsoft and Google have acquired their own cartographic services!
The main trend in cartography is its movement into the virtual world, when any user in real time can view any surface of the Earth (and, in the future, other planets of the solar system) and extract a wide variety of information about the area being viewed, supplementing it with his own data. An example is the popular Panoramio service, where you can attach a photo to the place of its shooting.

Where to study

Modern cartography is based on three pillars: mathematics, geography and computer science, so the future specialist needs to know these disciplines well.
Theoretical cartographers graduate departments of cartography of geographical faculties of classical universities. The most famous department of this kind in Russia is the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics of the Geographical Faculty of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.
But practicing cartographers are educated in technical educational institutions, the leader among which is MIIGAiK (now the Moscow University of Cartography, Geodesy and Geoinformatics). This is the oldest cartographic university in Russia, which trains cartographers engineers and technologists.

You can get a secondary technical cartographic education in cartographic technical schools and colleges, the best students of which, after the 2nd or 3rd year, can transfer to the 1st year MIIGAiK.
Remember: cartography requires good health from applicants: without it, it will be difficult in educational route practices and expeditions, including those in extreme conditions. Thus, the work of a topographer with its frequent travels, expeditions and business trips belongs to the category of "field".

Where cartographers are needed

First of all, these specialists are waiting for production structures, where traditional maps and atlases (cartographic factories and bureaus) are created and replicated.
Cartographers are also in demand in design bureaus, where they develop appropriate equipment for production technological lines and space and aerial surveys of the Earth.
Surveyors-land surveyors can find work in the BTI (Bureau of Technical Inventory), in agricultural, construction and road companies, in rural administrations - to make measurements of summer cottages.
Geodesists and topographers are needed in construction, including road construction, in the creation of communications: communication lines, power lines, oil and gas pipelines, water canals, subway lines.

Cartographers can be found in academic institutions related to space and the oceans, where they develop mapping methods.
Also, owners of cartographic specialties participate in complex expeditions of the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences and work in a number of other natural science institutes.
The media also need the services of cartographers. Most of the maps (mainly in digital form), promptly delivered to the editorial offices of newspapers, magazines and television, are created by the Mercator company. The same company makes maps for the Central Election Commission, various ministries and departments.
For publishers dealing with school literature and encyclopedias, cartographers act as consultants and editors of maps and atlases.
These specialists can find work in IT-companies that create and implement mapping software (maps on DVD and CD).
And the main cartographic structure in the Russian Federation is a government department called Roskartografiya.

Trends

Previously, cartography developed in breadth: it was necessary to photograph the entire surface of the earth's land, which was done by the middle of the 20th century. in the form of a topographic map 1: 1,000,000.
In our time, cartography is developing in depth. Thanks to powerful computers and high-precision optics, topographic maps are becoming more and more accurate. And in digital form, they can also be promptly supplemented with fresh information. Now several countries have agreed to create the world's most accurate topographic map 1: 100000. Russian cartographers also joined this task.
Marine cartography also has a great future. After all, the bottom of the World Ocean has been mapped very approximately so far - with the exception of the inland seas, coastal areas and the shelf.

Except Earth

One of the tasks of space cartography is the selection of landing sites for the lunar and Martian modules with people on board.
The reanimation of the lunar project and plans for a flight to Mars raise the question of a more detailed mapping of these planets. The space agencies of the United States, India and China have already begun to fulfill this task.
Volumetric digital mapping - 3D-format - creates a three-dimensional image of the area of \u200b\u200bthe mapped surface on the monitor screen. With such an image, you can perform all kinds of manipulations (this is called "neogeography"). China announced the imminent sending of its satellites to the Moon for volumetric mapping of this planet.
Space cartography is also developing in Russia, although not as rapidly as in India and China - or as in the USSR during the 1960s – 1980s, when, in particular, our country was the first to map the far side of the Moon. Recently, several academic institutions in the Russian Federation have completed a complete mapping of the surface of Venus. And since this has become possible, it should not surprise anyone that cartographic images are increasingly invading our lives.

The most common admission exams are:

• Russian language
• Mathematics (basic level)
• Geography is a specialized subject, at the choice of the university
• Biology - at the choice of the university
• Foreign language - at the choice of the university

All possible entrance exams can be roughly divided into two groups: obligatory and those that at the choice of the university.
TO the first group includes:

• russian language,
• geography.

Among second groups distinguish:

• Mathematics;
• Biology;
• Foreign language;
• Informatics and ICT.

The university chooses one of the listed non-core subjects.

Maps are used not only by travelers or tourists, but also by geographers, geologists, historians, archaeologists, specialists of the national economy ... That is why graduates of the specialty "Cartography and Geoinformatics" are so in demand and, working in private companies, receive a good salary. Cartographers and geoinformatics are engaged in research, design and production and teaching activities that are somehow related to geodesy, cartography, geoinformation mapping, aerospace sensing of the Earth's surface.

Terms of training

They range from four to five years and depend on the form of study.
Adherents of the full-time (or "full-time") form study for four years, and those who choose one of the other forms - five years.

Description of the specialty

Specialists of this specialty are extremely in demand in the labor market. Their field of activity includes the compilation of geographical maps and geo-images, as well as their use in various fields of activity. Graduates are able to apply methods of remote sensing of the planet as well as a variety of geoinformation technologies to study the environment.

Geoinformatic cartographer:

• Collects, organizes and processes spatial information at different scale levels: from local to global;
• Creates thematic maps, series of maps or atlases;
• Uses and develops geoinformation technologies and systems, telecommunication means;
• Forms databases and banks of digital cartographic information;
• Introduces computer technology into scientific research and economic practice;
• Engaged in cartographic interpretation of the results of various studies and observations, as well as statistical observation data.

Studied disciplines

It should be noted that in the course of training, future geoinformatics cartographers almost perfectly master computer technology and modern electronic geodetic instruments, the theory and methods of cartography, geodesy and geoinformatics, and the features of the operation of geoinformation systems. These skills are "inherent" in the second part of the specialty - geoinformatics.

As for cartography, cartography is directly studied here, as well as such sciences as topography and geodetic foundations of maps. The geography module includes geography, soil geography, hydrology and geomorphology.

Students also study physics and mathematics (mathematics, computer science, several sections of chemistry and geography, biology, ecology, programming, etc.), humanitarian (Russian, history, foreign language, etc.) and socio-economic ( cultural studies, philosophy, foundations of law, psychology and pedagogy, economics, sociology, etc.) cycles.

In addition, the list of compulsory disciplines also includes:

• Cartography;
• Aerospace techniques;
• Cartographic drawing;
• Photogrammetry;
• Geographic information systems;
• Internet mapping;
• Field mapping;
• Topography with the basics of geodesy;
• Complex cadastre;
• Design and preparation of general, natural and socio-economic maps, as well as atlases;
• Mathematical, space cartography;
• General and engineering geodesy;
• Field mapping;
• Satellite navigation systems;
• Digital cartography;
• Computer card design;
• Technology and organization of card production;
• Edition of maps;
• Internet and information resources;
• Web mapping;
• Land assessment;
• Automated mapping methods;
• Physical geography of Russia, continents and oceans;
• Socio-economic geography of Russia and the world;
• Geoinformation programming;
• Computer workshop.

Possible electives also include astronomy, regional mapping, career technology, geoecology, nature conservation.

Practice

Students undergo the following types of educational practice:

• Thematic;
• Topographic;
• Production;
• Physical and economic-geographical;
• Geodetic;
• Cartographic;
• Pre-qualification.

Usually, students practice in a variety of cartographic, aerial photo-geodetic or engineering-geodetic organizations, in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense. In addition, your practice can also take place in organizations that are engaged in construction, architectural design, transport, hydrometeorological, forestry areas. Sometimes students prepare for future work in government cadastre institutions, research institutes, companies that create problem-oriented GIS, schools, schools, colleges.

Acquired skills

Among the required knowledge of a graduate, one can single out the ability to understand field and office methods of creating maps, in databases; skills in designing new digital cartographic products and user interface.

In addition, graduates will be able to:

• Engage in the design of cartographic works of various topics;
• Be involved in the creation of cartographic works at all stages: from authoring to editorial;
• Be well versed in the organization and technologies of cartographic production, the basics of marketing in cartography;
• Use the principles of geographic cartography, the rules of cartographic semiotics and the language of the map to perform a variety of tasks;
• Use the methods of processing information obtained by means of remote sensing of the Earth;
• Use the technical parameters of various types of aerospace materials;
• Form and use a variety of programs, databases; own and use methods of searching for cartography information on the Internet;
• Have a good understanding of the development trends and peculiarities of the interaction of such sciences as cartography, geoinformatics, remote sensing;
• Create cartographic works using standard or independently developed programs;
• Own the technology for processing the results of observations or diagnostics;
• Be able to organize and conduct field cartographic work and geographic deciphering;
• Engage in ground survey of the area;
• Determine the coordinates of an object in three-dimensional earth space;
• Process new types of images;
• To be engaged in drawing up, preparing for publication and directly publishing general geographic and thematic maps, atlases both in "paper" and in digital form;
• Be a teacher of specialized disciplines in schools and colleges, etc.

Profession: where and by whom to work?

You can either continue your studies in (for further admission to and receive a scientific degree) or go to work. A graduate of the specialty "Cartography and Geoinformatics" can consider the following positions:

• Cartographer;
• Astronomogeodesist;
• Junior Researcher;
• Topographer;
• Surveyor;
• Science editor or map editor;
• Meteorologist;
• Aerial photography specialist;
• Engineer;
• Geographer;
• Communications engineer;
• Cartographer-compiler;
• Aerogeodesist.

As for the place of work, usually graduates work in the above positions in aerial photo and geodetic enterprises, cartographic factories, research institutes, manufacturing companies that create maps and atlases, in geographic information centers for the design of GIS or digital maps.

"Cartography and Geoinformatics" - specialty of higher education, qualification - academic and applied bachelor (05.03.03). Specialty overview: exams, terms of study, subjects studied, profession: where and by whom to work, reviews and suitable universities.

A specialist who has devoted his life to creating maps is a man of science, a wanderer who studies the world around him with great interest. In his work, he skillfully combines more than one subject area, and his work is highly valued by society. And today we propose to talk about this specialist.

Has always been of great importance to humanity. It is difficult to imagine conducting a geography lesson without an atlas or globe, or traveling or hiking without a map of the area. The work of cartographers is also very vividly demonstrated on popular Internet resources. They made no less contribution to the creation of navigation systems used in various devices around the world.

A specialist who has devoted his life to creating maps is a man of science, a wanderer who studies the world around him with great interest. In his work, he skillfully combines more than one subject area, and his work is highly valued by society. And today we propose to talk about this specialist.

Who is a cartographer?

A specialist working on the creation of different types of maps (flat, relief, volumetric, etc.), by modeling and displaying the spatial location of objects (Earth, celestial bodies, etc.). The name of the profession consists of several Greek words: χάρτης (chartes): translated as papyrus paper, and γράφειν (grapho): meaning to draw or write.

The first maps began to be formed back in the period of writing. They acquired particular relevance when humanity began to develop new lands. That is why cartographers took part in almost all sea, land and military expeditions, and their role could not be overestimated.

Over creation surface schematic Land in different periods worked many outstanding people: Claudius Ptolemy, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albrecht Durer and others. The Flemish cartographer Gerhard Mercator received great recognition in this area, during whose life cartography was singled out as a separate science. Mercator also compiled a collection of 107 maps with the then unknown name "atlas".

The profession of a cartographer has not lost its relevance to this day. However, if until the end of the previous century cards were issued only in paper form, then with the spread of digital technologies they acquired an electronic format. Modern specialists use various technical means in their work and interact with experts from other fields (in particular, together with programmers, they create electronic cards).

Cartography includes science theory and practice (applied cartography). Accordingly, the profession has several areas of activity:

• Theoretical cartographers - are engaged in the development of methods for representing the volumetric relief on a plane, the development of cartography in electronic format and the formation of thematic atlases and maps.
• Practical cartographers - collect data about the earth's surface and other planets, on the basis of which they compose and issue new maps in digital or paper form.

Based on the customer's technical assignment, cartographers can work on creating different thematic maps:

• historical;
• political;
• economic;
• the military;
• climatic;
• zoological, etc.

Since such work requires special knowledge of other sciences, expert consultants are involved in the process to help with solving a number of issues. However, some cartographers over the years of practice deepen their knowledge and receive a narrower specialization in the subject area that they studied.

The responsibilities of modern map makers includes:

• compilation of a sample of primary geodetic data;
• revealing the size of maps, grid coordinates, diagonals and trapezoids;
• implementation of the topographic base;
• display of diagrams, columns, diagrams and profiles according to the customer's order and exclusion of non-thematic filling load;
• drawing up tables of symbols and selection of fonts;
• timely modification of electronic maps;
• use of geographic information systems (GIS);
• collection and processing of data obtained as a result of terrestrial survey of the area (they are doing this), aerial photography and space photography;
• the use of a level and theodolite for determining the height and measuring distances, as well as other special tools and computer programs.

What personal qualities should a cartographer have?

A number of obligatory personal qualities of cartographers necessary for conducting a successful professional activity include:

• a penchant for the exact sciences,
• analytic mind,
• attentiveness.

It is these qualities that contribute to quality work performance and reduce the likelihood of misrepresentation of data.

Map creators - methodical, responsible and observant people, able to concentrate on one task for a long time. They are both mobile and assiduous. Drawing up graphical diagrams requires spatial vision and a good eye.

The need for interaction with other professionals determines the need for good communication skills. Curiosity is another quality, without which it is difficult to get pleasure from this kind of activity.

Health is of great importance. Practical cartographers often go to the site for the purpose of visual inspection and detailing of objects and spend a lot of time in the field, so any serious illness will become a contraindication in the profession.

Benefits of the profession of cartographer

For people who have chosen cartography as a profession, the main advantage is the ability to participate in the study of objects and mapping them. They show a high interest in their duties and are completely immersed in science.

Many cartographers are attracted by the opportunity to take part in various expeditions. They see some romance in the traveling nature of work and like to spend time in nature.

Despite the fact that the profession of a cartographer is not very popular in society, one cannot fail to note the level of its demand. Experienced specialists who regularly improve their skills and knowledge are required in many large companies: production structures that produce traditional maps and atlases, the government department "Roskartografiya", IT companies, the media, construction firms, academic institutions, etc.

Each organization can put forward certain requirements for cartographers, depending on the field of activity, but employment in them will provide a specialist with a stable income of 20-80 thousand rubles and permanent employment.

Disadvantages of the profession of cartographer

Expeditions and hikes along the routes are not only romantic, but also involve an increased danger to life and health. Cartographers often work in extreme conditions, in places where people practically do not exist. Working in the open, lack of comfort and a high probability of unforeseen situations can cause illness. In addition, frequent business trips exclude the possibility of planning a personal life.

The high demand for the profession does not give any guarantees of employment, which is associated with high competition in companies. Often there are very few open vacancies, and in order to get a good position, specialists have to constantly improve their qualifications and improve themselves.

Where can you get the profession of cartographer?

To master the profession of a cartographer, you need to have deep knowledge in such subject areas as geography, mathematics, computer science, etc. Education in this specialty can be obtained in special colleges and technical schools. Upon graduation from a secondary technical institution, the graduate is awarded the qualification of a technician-cartographer. The best among the many educational institutions is the St. Petersburg Technical School of Geodesy and Cartography.

Geographical faculties of universities also train theoretical cartographers, and practical skills can be obtained at the faculties of cartography and geoinformatics at technical universities. In them, the training program covers the entire process of creating maps: from field work to publication. The best universities in the field of "cartography" include:

• The A.F. Mozhaisky Military Space Academy;
• Mordovia State University N.P. Ogareva.

Image sources: uole-museum.ru, artchive.ru

Undergraduate
• 05.03.01 Geology
• 05.03.02 Geography
• 05.03.03 Cartography and Geoinformatics
• 05.03.04 Hydrometeorology
• 05.03.05 Applied Hydrometeorology
• 05.03.06 Ecology and nature management

The future of the industry

The future of geosciences begins today - the rapid pace of saturation with modern technology in our daily life depends on the effective development of the natural resources of the Earth. In the sphere of economic development, man increasingly includes the hydraulic energy of rivers and sea tides, intra-atomic energy, as well as the energy of the internal heat of the earth's crust. The first steps are being taken to develop the mineral resources of the ocean floor.

In the near future, it is possible to use the yet unknown resources of outer space in the human economy.

History shows that the birth and development of all sciences have always been closely related to the satisfaction of the vital needs of human society. That is why, in step with the accelerating technical progress, the Earth sciences have changed and developed, gradually turning from a once single geography, or geography, into a powerful and ramified community of sciences.

Natural disasters, global warming, depletion of natural resources - our civilization has not yet found adequate answers to these challenges. The hopes of mankind are directed mainly to scientists, specialists in the field of earth sciences. Now these sciences are becoming more and more interdisciplinary, since knowledge from various fields is needed to understand complex processes on a planetary scale.