Learning objectives
The course provides knowledge of geographic information systems as an essential tool for the management of environmental data and their representation. GIS is a powerful tool for managing, analysing, manipulating and visualizing spatial data and therefore fundamental in the planning and development decision-making process. In a continental and coastal marine environment, given the complexity and variety of spatial data available, GIS is essential to guarantee the correct use of the territory. In particular, the course develops skills for the use of open-source GIS software widespread in the professional and public administration fields. The final objective of the course is to allow the student to acquire the knowledge and skills to search, create and manipulate the most varied spatial data, in order to obtain a cartographic product of interest.
Prerequisites
Students must have successfully passed the exam of Analysis of environmental data and geostatistics (1st year).
Course unit content
In addition to theoretical knowledge, the course provides the tools for practical applications through guided exercises with real data from projects focused on territory management. QGIS and SAGA GIS software will be used to create and manipulate spatial data.
The course is divided into three modules defined on the basis of the main objectives.
i) The first part deals with the types of data that can be used in a GIS (vectors, GPS, CSV, rater, etc.) and their management within a geodatabase.
ii) Subsequently, the course explores the functions of geoprocessing and terrain analysis useful for manipulating the data created/downloaded to obtain derivatives of interest. The activities start from the management of vector and raster data to arrive at data analysis.
iii) Finally, the course focuses on static cartographic outputs and dynamic maps for the representation of environmental data and the results of the processing carried out on territorial data.
Full programme
Section 1. Introduction to GIS
• Introduction to GIS: What is GIS? basic concepts of GIS Science, GIS Study and GIS tool
• GIS in the field of environmental planning and management.
• Vector and Raster GIS data types
• Basic topological concepts
• Basic concepts of raster data analysis
• Data sources
• How to create spatial data
• How to define data quality
• How to create symbols for vector data and raster data
• How to classify vector data and raster data
• How and where to search for data (Geoportals)
• How to identify, select and find spatial objects
Section 2. Georeferencing, DATUM and cartographic projections
• The geographical reference system
• Map projections – main types of projections and practical uses
• Examples of projections in the marine environment
Section 3. Creating continuous surfaces from point data - The basic concepts of interpolation
• What is data interpolation
• Data sources for interpolation
• Methods of interpolation
• Examples
Section 4. Introduction to the Geodatabase
• What is a data model
• What is the Geodatabase and what are its basic elements
• General overview of Geodatabase design and architecture
Section 5. SAGA GIS
• Introduction to Terrain Analysis
• Management of vector and raster data
• Analysis of vector and raster data
Section 6. Outputs
• Static cartography
• Dynamic maps
• Visualization of results from modeling
Bibliography
Data for practical exercises will be provided to each student, and .ppt presentations of both theoretical and practical lessons.
Suggested text: Valerio Noti (2021, II Edition). GIS Open SOurce per geologia e ambiente. Dario Flaccovio Publisher
Teaching methods
Total hours: 52 per credits: 6
Lessons: Lectures in which key concepts are exposed and case studies are presented
Exercises: using GIS tools on real data sets. The necessary data and slides will be provided. The teacher will help the students step by step in the exercises.
Assessment methods and criteria
Attendance is strongly recommended
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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