OVERVIEW

The teaching provides the necessary tools for the management and analysis of the different spatial data sources available today relating to both the terrestrial and marine environment, including the newest and highest resolution ones such as Lidar digital terrain models and satellite images. Several areas of application of the exercises will be addressed through the software GIS (Geographic Information System), for planning, management and monitoring the environment.

The use of free and open source geographic software (GFOSS) and the expertise acquired in the management of geographic data ensure that the teaching contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda: 

Goal 4: Provide quality, equitable and inclusive education and learning opportunities for all
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and between nations
Goal 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of the earth's ecosystem

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course provides the necessary tools for the management and analysis of the various spatial data available today relating to the terrestrial, marine and aerial environment, including the most recent and high-resolution ones such as LiDAR Digital Terrain Models and satellite images. Several applications supporting the management of the environment will be addressed through GIS (Geographic Information System) software.

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 will be alternated with practical lectures on the computer.

The teaching 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 are provided by the teacher via aulaweb.

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

ALESSANDRO IACOPINO

ALI ALAKBAR KARAKI

STEFANIA VIAGGIO

DOMENICO SGUERSO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10720/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination consist of an oral test, with presentation and discussion of an application made in small groups  (from 2 to 4 persons) 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 cartographic projections, the concept of cartographic scale, the characteristics of different data formats, the fundamental concepts of orthophotos, image classification, databases and geoprocessing, will be assessed.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students are required to form small groups (from 2 to 4 persons) and produce a technical report on the practical activities carried out. The presentation of the report and its critical discussion during the final examination will be evaluated, together with  the knowledge of theoretical concepts essential for proper management of geographic data.

Also the quality of the oral and written presentation will be evaluated, because considered preparatory to the students’ future working life, enabling them to better acquire the ability to share ideas and work as a team. 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Working students and students with SLD, disability or other special educational needs certification are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take account of individual learning methods.