Description

Contents

The courses are organised in interactive and problem-oriented forms, providing the students with advanced conceptual and methodological knowledge as well as exposing them to realistic research situations that challenge their scientific and organisational problem-solving capacities.

First year

During the first semester, particular attention will be paid to individual intensive teaching (levelling-up) for any students with deficits in certain fields of knowledge, whether methodological or conceptual. After this initial phase, major topics within the first and the second semester are:

• Theoretical approaches in spatial analysis
• Spatial modelling and forecasting
• Cartography and GIS
• Conceptual approaches to governance and spatial development
• Integrative approaches to sustainable spatial development
• Spatial development in Europe
• Implementation and monitoring of spatial policies
• Preparation and submission of EU dossiers
• Project management skills

Second year

In the third semester, specialisation involves choosing between two tracks, spatial development and governance or spatial analysis and modelling: relevant to the spatial sciences, as well as qualitative methodological skills. It enables the students to analyse and monitor the social, political, and economic mechanisms behind quantitatively observable spatial phenomena. Prepare students for applied careers, concentrating on the case of the “Greater Region” which will be used as a showcase for cross-border regional development in Europe and the complex interplay between different national development policies and intercultural issues. This semester is also open to mobility within one of our four partner universities.

The fourth and last semester is dedicated to an internship as well as to the preparation of a Master’s thesis. The students’ research work during this semester is accompanied by individual supervision as well as regular meetings in a research seminar where the students report on the progress of their work and this can be discussed. The thematic courses are complemented by language courses offered during the first three semesters.

Lecturers

In addition to the University’s own teaching staff and temporary lecturers, several modules are offered in cooperation with partner universities and research centres. Furthermore, a number of distinguished experts from European and regional institutions contribute to the teaching programme, thus enhancing the interface between academic research and practice

University staff

• Geoffrey Caruso - Study Director, Professor of GIS and Spatial Analysis

• Fabian Faller - PhD candidate

• Malte Helfer - Research Associate

• Markus Hesse - Professor of Urban Studies

• Ariane Koenig - Research Associate and Head of University Sustainability Cell

• Rob Krueger - Invited Professor (Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA, USA))

• Annick Leick - PhD candidate

• Cyrille Médard de Chardon - PhD candidate

• Birte Nienaber - Professor of Political Geography

• Kerry Pearce - GIS Specialist

• Mirjam Schindler - PhD candidate

• Christian Schulz - Professor of Environmental Economic Geography

• Norman Teferle - Professor of Geophysics

Guest lecturers

• Kai Böhme - Spatial Foresight (LU)

• David Dabin - Federal Police Belgium (BE)

• Romain Diederich - Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures (LU)

• Nicolas Dendoncker - University of Namur (BE)

• Thiemo W. Eser - Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures (LU)

• Brian Field - European Investment Bank (LU)

• Matthew Kahn - English Teacher (LU)

• Olivier Klein - Public Research Centre CEPS/INSTEAD (LU)

• Dominique Peeters - Université catholique de Louvain (BE)

• Pascal Parrottino - French Teacher (FR)

• Jean-Claude Sinner - Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures (LU)

• Christophe Sohn - Public Research Centre CEPS/INSTEAD (LU)

• Sabine Stölb - Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures (LU)

• Isabelle Thomas - Université catholique de Louvain (BE)

• Dan Zachary - Public Research Centre Henri Tudor (LU)

Requirements

This Master’s course is open to students with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (at least three years of higher education in accordance with the Bologna prerequisites) in human geography or spatial planning who are looking for additional training in the realm of spatial analysis as well as European and cross-border issues. Students from related disciplines such as architecture, urban studies, regional economics, urban sociology, anthropology etc. are encouraged to apply and may be accepted on demonstration of sufficient knowledge in the relevant fields (see below).

Main criteria for selection

• Wide theoretical, conceptual and methodological knowledge in the field of spatial analysis and development.
• Proven interest in high level academic research.
• Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken). Sufficient knowledge of at least one of the two other teaching languages (French/German) is considered as an advantage.
• Practical experience in international/European research contexts (e.g. internships, BA theses) will be considered as an advantage.

Funding

Studies Grants

• Bourse Erasmus
• Grants under cultural agreements
• Grant for non-European students
• Grant and loan - Cedies (Ministry of Culture, Higher Education and Research)
• Félix Chomé Foundation
• Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (known by the German acronym BAFöG)
• German Academic Exchange Service (known by the German acronym DAAD) grant
• French-speaking Community grant Belgium
• Regional Students Welfare Office (known by the French acronym CROUS) France