OVERVIEW

This professionalizing course provides theoretical and practical knowledge on geographical information systems (GIS) as an essential tool for the analysis of phenomena occurring on the Earth surface. Skills concerning the use of GIS software are developed allowing the student to get, analyze, and process autonomously spatial data, particularly referred to naturalistic-environmental and geomorphological-geological issues.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide theoretical and practical notions necessary to deal with geodata, referring in particular to land planning and management under a geomorphological and environmental perspective.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the students should be able to understand and realize maps that are generally used for land management, and to analyse geographical data.

In particular, students: will interpret different types of maps; will understand the meaning of hazard, vulnerability and risk; will manage data from different reference systems; will use symbols, legends and labels; will display, analyse, modify and select data from the geodatabase; will use vector and raster geoprocessing tools; will analyse digital terrain models; will use available data from internet; will produce a map layout.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of cartography, geomorphology, and computer science.

TEACHING METHODS

The course is based on lectures and laboratory activities using specific software.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Maps for land planning and management

Definition and assessment of geomorphological hazard, vulnerability and geo-hydrological risk

Cartography (a general overview)

Numerical cartography, GIS and software

QGIS

Geodata (types, formats and sources)

Geodata visualization

Geoprocessing and spatial analysis

Map composition

Case studies: GIS Applications in Earth and Environmental Sciences

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Handouts provided by the teachers and available on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PIERLUIGI GIORGIO BRANDOLINI (President)

ANDREA MANDARINO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The lessons timetable is available at the following link: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test during which the topics covered in the course are discussed, and an operational project developed by the student in a specific study area is presented. Details on the preparation methods for the exam and the level of knowledge required on the topics covered will be provided during the lessons.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims overall to verify the understanding of the topics covered during the lessons, with particular emphasis on the use of GIS tools for solving simple environmental and geological problems. The operational project will be discussed in terms of implemented procedures and achieved results, along with broader topics related to the catchment-scale landscape planning. The exam will also assess the student's critical thinking skills, presentation abilities, and correct use of technical terminology.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certification of physical or learning disability filed with the University can find information on support services at the web page https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/studenti-disturbi-specifici-apprendimento-dsa, provided by the "Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and with Learning Disorders." They can also contact Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Distav contact for disabilities.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended.