OVERVIEW

The course provides the necessary tools for the management and analysis of different sources of spatial data available today (maps, satellite and aerial images, thematic maps, Digital Terrain Models, GNSS surveys, laser scanner, …).

There are several fields of application of the exercises that will be addressed through the use of GIS (Geographic Information System) software, related to planning, management and monitoring the environment.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Theoretical and practical acquisition of the techniques for the treatment of georeferenced data, as a tool to support environment management as well as decision support system.

Capacity of results analysis depending on the metric resolution of data.

Use of free and open source software in accordance with the directive of the Minister for Innovation and Technology, December 19, 2003 to encourage the use of these technologies.

PREREQUISITES

none

TEACHING METHODS

Theoretical lectures alternated with practical lectures on the computer.

The course is held in English.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Numerical cartography: hints at acquisition methods, from traditional to numerical cartography, error of graphism and nominal scale, metric and semantic data, topology, metadata.

Geographic Information System (GIS): operating logic and functions; major existing software, primarily free and open source; applications overview.

Data and georeferencing: recalls of the main reference systems and cartographic projections, management of georeferenced data in different datum, the EPSG codes, georeferencing procedure, official and crowdsourcing cartography available via web.

Raster and vector data: data models and main operators, including matrix algebra, reclassification, query and geoprocessing.

DataBase: structure, queries and SQL; major software and their spatial extension for the treatment of georeferenced data; interaction with GIS software.

Digital Terrain Models: features and data structures, methods of interpolation for their construction, features and management of LIDAR data, main morphological analysis.

Digital images: acquisition methods, color compositions and spectral signature, geometrical and radiometric resolutions, color features of common file formats; features and management of multispectral satellite images; hints on digital image processing and filtering; automatic image classification.

GNSS positioning data: features and management in a GIS environment.

WebGIS and Geoservices: features and operation logic of the techniques for publication, consultation and processing of geographic data through the web.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes and material provided by the teacher.

Texts for consultation:

Burrough P.A., McDonnel R.A., Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Oxford University Press, 1998.

Longley P.A., Goodchild M.F., Maguire D.J., Rhind D.W., Geographic Information Science and Systems, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, 2015, ISBN: 1118676955, 9781118676950.

Neteler M., Mitasova H., 2008. Open Source GIS: A GRASS GIS Approach. Third edition. 420 pages, Springer, New York (ISBN-10: 038735767X; ISBN-13: 978-0387357676).

Online User Manual of GRASS: http://grass.osgeo.org/documentation/manuals/

Online GRASS Tutorial: http://www.ing.unitn.it/~grass

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

BIANCA FEDERICI (President)

ILARIA FERRANDO

SARA GAGLIOLO

DOMENICO SGUERSO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

beginning of the first semester

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam, during which the student must present an application made individually or in small groups. In the margin of this presentation, the knowledge of the basic concepts of numerical cartography will be verified.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination consist of an oral test, with presentation and discussion of an application made in small groups aimed at an analysis of the territory for its management/planning. In the exam the knowledge of theoretical concepts essential for proper management of geographic data, such as reference systems and map projections, and some techniques for processing the same will be assessed.

Exam schedule