AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit aims to provide the theoretical knowledge and practical experience of using electronic cartography and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the management, analysis and visualization of chart data. Particular attention is given to data content, data structure and data quality of Electronic Nautical Cartography (ENC) and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). Statistical tools for evaluating the accuracy and precision of measurements are also provided.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching unit aims to provide the theoretical knowledge and practical experience of using electronic cartography and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the management, analysis and visualization of chart data. Particular attention is given to data content, data structure and data quality of Electronic Nautical Cartography (ENC) and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). Statistical tools for evaluating the accuracy and precision of measurements and positions are also provided.

The learning outcomes are:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of Electronic Cartography, with particular focus on the nautical field.
• Elements for the treatment of observations to evaluate the accuracy of measurements and positions.
• Capacity of results analysis depending on the metric resolution of data.
• Use of free and open source software, when possible, in accordance with the directive of the Minister for Innovation and Technology, December 19, 2003 that encourage the use of these technologies.

The teaching unit provides the theoretical tools for achieving the competencies required by the individual functions under the STCW Convention. Theoretical knowledge is provided to develop the skills required by Functions 1 of Table A-II/1 and A-II/2 of the STCW Convention (deck officer).

The teaching unit will also develop the following transversal skills and competences (soft-skills): literacy, strategic thinking and critical thinking; effective communication and argumentative skills.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching is conducted in English.

Frontal theoretical lectures are alternated with computer-based lectures to put these notions into practice in real application situations.

Lessons will be held in the classroom, but will also be available in synchronous and asynchronous online modes.

Innovative teaching tools, such as instant polls, are used both to stimulate students' attention and to test their learning.

Team working enables work on alphabetical-functional competence.

Working students and students with certified DSA (Specific Learning Disorders), disabilities or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The teaching unit provides the main elements of electronic cartography, geographic data format for data interoperability, and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the management, analysis and display of cartographic data. Particular attention is dedicated to electronic nautical cartography (ENC), its content and quality, and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation).

In addition, statistical tools are provided to assess the accuracy of the measurements and the skills to be able to evaluate the quality of the measurements analysed as a function of the metric resolution of the geospatial data used.

In more detail:

Electronic cartography: geographic data type and format for data interoperability in GIS, nominal scale and error of graphism, metric and semantic data, topology, metadata and interoperability. The EPSG codes for the management of different datum, georeferencing procedure. Electronic nautical cartography (ENC), its content and quality, and the main features of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Systems for Nautical Navigation). Practical lessons on management, analysis and display of cartographic data

Fundamentals of the statistical treatment of measurements and derived quantities: error propagation in case of linear and non-linear function of observed quantities; concepts of redundancy of measurements; compensation of errors using least squares adjustment method, confidence interval and ellipse. Practical lessons on statistical treatment of measurements and positions.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lecture notes and material provided by the teacher.

Texts for reference:

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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

BIANCA FEDERICI (President)

VALENTINO PALMA

DOMENICO SGUERSO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/10948/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral and consists of some questions to ascertain the knowledge of the theoretical concepts of the teaching and in the presentation and discussion by the student of a short personal application similar to the practical experience carried out during the teaching and a short report deepening one of the proposed topics.

The examination may be conducted online in the cases provided for in the University Regulations.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the oral examination, the lecturer will test the knowledge of essential theoretical concepts for the correct handling of geographical data in the nautical field and the evaluation of the cartographic accuracy of geospatial data. In addition, the student will present and discuss a short personal application related to the visualisation of layers and cartographic elements in a GIS environment and a short report deepening one of the proposed topics.

The final grade will take into account the quality of the application carried out (originality, type of application, processing and analysis techniques used, strategies for solving any problems encountered), the critical discussion of the results obtained and the expositive capacity, as well as the knowledge of the theoretical concepts.

The quality of the oral and written presentation will be assessed, as it is considered preparatory to the students' future working life, enabling them to better acquire the ability to share ideas and work in a team.

Exam schedule