Geomatics Professor

Have you ever seen a 3-D computerized model of sand drifts, volcanic activity, geological history, or underground utility lines? Have you ever used Google Earth to find your house, complete with the shrubs and mailbox in your front yard? These are the works of Geospatial Engineers. And Geomatics Professors are the ones who teach these Engineers most of what they know.

When you’re a Geomatics Professor, the majority of your students are working towards a degree in engineering. You might teach them at the undergraduate level, but more commonly, you lead classes towards a master’s or doctoral degree. As a Geomatics Professor, you have vast experience in the field, and perhaps hold an engineering degree yourself. In addition, you know the computer software, science, and geography of geomatics.

So what is geomatics? Geomatics is concerned with the collection of data from a variety of sources, including GPS and satellite imagery, to create multi-dimensional data for those who need it on the ground. This includes the military, Land Developers, and governments, to name a few. You create lesson plans that teach your students how to do this. Then you assign homework, tests, reports, presentations, and projects. Outside of the classroom, you grade papers, make yourself available for consultation, and mentor students.

Being a Professor entails much more than teaching, though. You’re one of the university’s top dogs. You help develop student programs, write articles and books, and seek funding for research projects. Overall, you surround yourself in geomatics and share your knowledge with others who have an interest in the field.