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Master'sAerospace, UAM, Drones & Space Applications open

Master’s in UAS Photogrammetry, LiDAR and GIS Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in photogrammetry, LiDAR and GIS engineering with UAS, structured in 12 modules covering geodesy and reference systems, digital photogrammetry, UAS data acquisition, photogrammetric products, LiDAR principles and processing, quality control, GIS, engineering applications, BIM and digital twins, and the legal framework, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand geodetic and cartographic reference systems.

02

Apply the principles of digital photogrammetry with UAS.

03

Design photogrammetric and LiDAR flights suited to the project.

04

Process and classify point clouds.

05

Assess positional accuracy against standards.

06

Integrate products into GIS and BIM environments.

07

Manage geomatics projects within the legal framework.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Geomatics engineers.
  • Photogrammetry technicians.
  • LiDAR specialists.
  • GIS analysts.
  • Construction site surveyors.
  • Scan-to-BIM specialists.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter surveying.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards (accuracy of digital geospatial data)
  • ISO 19115-1 (geographic metadata)
  • ISO 19157-1 (geographic data quality)
  • Directive 2007/2/EC INSPIRE (EU spatial information infrastructure)
  • Royal Decree 1071/2007 (Spanish official geodetic reference system)
  • Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 (rules and procedures for the operation of unmanned aircraft)
  • IEC 60825-1 (safety of laser products)
  • ASPRS LAS Specification 1.4 (point cloud exchange format)
  • Agisoft Metashape
  • Pix4Dmapper
  • QGIS
  • LAStools
  • CloudCompare
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Ellipsoid, geoid and orthometric height
  2. 1.2ETRS89 and WGS84 systems
  3. 1.3UTM and map projections
  4. 1.4Coordinate and datum transformations
  5. 1.5EGM2008 and EGM08-REDNAP geoid models
  6. 1.6Geodetic networks and permanent stations
  7. 1.7Differential GNSS positioning
  8. 1.8RTK and PPK corrections in UAS
  9. 1.9Geographic metadata according to ISO 19115
  10. 1.10Case study: coordinate transformation for a survey
  1. 2.1Camera geometry and collinearity
  2. 2.2Internal camera calibration
  3. 2.3Interior and exterior orientation
  4. 2.4Aerial triangulation and bundle adjustment
  5. 2.5Structure from Motion
  6. 2.6Dense image matching
  7. 2.7Global shutter versus rolling shutter
  8. 2.8Ground control and check points
  9. 2.9Systematic errors and deformation
  10. 2.10Lab: aerial triangulation with ground control points
  1. 3.1Camera and lens selection
  2. 3.2GSD and flight altitude calculation
  3. 3.3Forward and side overlap
  4. 3.4Oblique flights for 3D modelling
  5. 3.5Cross-strip design
  6. 3.6Distribution of control points
  7. 3.7Light and shadow conditions
  8. 3.8Managing flights over large areas
  9. 3.9Quality control in the field
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: flight design for 1:500 mapping
  1. 4.1Dense point clouds
  2. 4.2Digital surface and terrain models
  3. 4.3True orthomosaics without displacement
  4. 4.4Textured 3D models
  5. 4.5Contour lines and profiles
  6. 4.6Stockpile volume calculation
  7. 4.7Vector feature restitution
  8. 4.8Meshes for BIM
  9. 4.9LAS and GeoTIFF exchange formats
  10. 4.10Lab: volume calculation in a quarry
  1. 5.1Laser ranging and time of flight
  2. 5.2Mirror and prism scanners
  3. 5.3Multiple returns and full waveform
  4. 5.4Beam divergence and footprint
  5. 5.5Point density
  6. 5.6Integration with IMU and GNSS
  7. 5.7LiDAR system errors
  8. 5.8Green-laser topobathymetric LiDAR
  9. 5.9Laser safety and IEC 60825-1
  10. 5.10Case study: comparison of LiDAR sensors for UAS
  1. 6.1Trajectory computation
  2. 6.2System boresight calibration
  3. 6.3Strip adjustment
  4. 6.4Ground classification
  5. 6.5Vegetation filtering
  6. 6.6ASPRS point classification
  7. 6.7Power line extraction
  8. 6.8Height normalisation
  9. 6.9DTM generation from LiDAR
  10. 6.10Practical exercise: classification of a forest LiDAR point cloud
  1. 7.1Root mean square error and accuracy
  2. 7.2ASPRS positional accuracy standards
  3. 7.3Independent check points
  4. 7.4Relative and absolute accuracy
  5. 7.5DTM validation
  6. 7.6Accuracy reports
  7. 7.7Error propagation
  8. 7.8Photogrammetry versus LiDAR comparison
  9. 7.9Technical specifications
  10. 7.10Lab: accuracy report according to ASPRS
  1. 8.1Vector and raster data models
  2. 8.2PostGIS spatial databases
  3. 8.3Geoprocessing in QGIS
  4. 8.4Surface and slope analysis
  5. 8.5Map algebra
  6. 8.6OGC services: WMS, WFS and WCS
  7. 8.7Spatial data infrastructures
  8. 8.8The INSPIRE Directive and its transposition
  9. 8.9Automation with Python
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: slope and aspect model
  1. 9.1Civil works surveying
  2. 9.2Construction progress monitoring
  3. 9.3Mining and quarries
  4. 9.4Cadastre and boundary surveys
  5. 9.5Cultural heritage documentation
  6. 9.6Forest inventory and management
  7. 9.7Natural hazards and landslides
  8. 9.8Coasts and erosion
  9. 9.9Urban planning and city models
  10. 9.10Case study: monitoring of a linear works project
  1. 10.1Scan to BIM
  2. 10.2Interoperability through the IFC format
  3. 10.3Point clouds in Revit
  4. 10.4Digital twins of infrastructure
  5. 10.5CityGML and urban models
  6. 10.6Change detection
  7. 10.7Web visualisation platforms
  8. 10.8Cesium and 3D Tiles
  9. 10.9Model maintenance
  10. 10.10Workshop: BIM model from a point cloud
  1. 11.1European UAS regulation
  2. 11.2Operations in the specific category
  3. 11.3Authorisations for photographic flights
  4. 11.4National mapping regulations
  5. 11.5Intellectual property of data
  6. 11.6Personal data protection
  7. 11.7Public procurement of mapping
  8. 11.8Professional liability of the technician
  9. 11.9Professional ethics in geomatics
  10. 11.10Case study: technical specification for a survey
  1. 12.1Definition of the geomatics project
  2. 12.2Accuracy requirements
  3. 12.3Design of combined capture
  4. 12.4Photogrammetric processing of the project
  5. 12.5LiDAR processing and classification
  6. 12.6Quality control
  7. 12.7Integration into GIS or BIM
  8. 12.8Analysis of results
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Agisoft Metashape, Pix4Dmapper, QGIS, LAStools and CloudCompare, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: topographic surveys with UAS, LiDAR point cloud classification and quality control with independent check points. Assessment is continuous for each module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ASPRS Positional Accuracy Standards for Digital Geospatial Data, ISO 19115-1, ISO 19157-1, Directive 2007/2/EC (INSPIRE), Royal Decree 1071/2007, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, IEC 60825-1, ASPRS LAS Specification 1.4.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the ASPRS accuracy standards, ISO 19115-1, ISO 19157-1 and the INSPIRE Directive applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:Agisoft Metashape, Pix4Dmapper, QGIS, LAStools and CloudCompare, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:An integrated photogrammetry and LiDAR project, from combined capture design to quality control and GIS or BIM integration, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Flight and control design
Design a 1:500 mapping flight with ground control point distribution.
Photogrammetric products
Run aerial triangulation and calculate stockpile volumes in a quarry.
LiDAR classification
Classify a forest LiDAR point cloud and generate a DTM.
Accuracy report
Produce an ASPRS accuracy report with independent check points.
Master's Thesis
Deliver an integrated photogrammetry and LiDAR project into GIS or BIM, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Geomatics engineerPhotogrammetry technicianLiDAR specialistGIS analystConstruction site surveyorScan-to-BIM specialist
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with Agisoft Metashape, Pix4Dmapper, QGIS, LAStools and CloudCompare, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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