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GEOMATICS FOR LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS
ANDREA GALLI

Seat Agraria
A.A. A.A. 2016-2017
Credits 12
Hours 108
Period 1^ semestre
Language ENG
U-gov code SFA 3A497

Prerequisites

Basics of Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science.

Development of the course

The teaching method is based on theoretical lectures, seminars and by laboratory activities using software GIS and IP (7.5 CFU). Learning will be supported by readily accessible material such as Power Point slides or pdf. The Lab traineeship will involve single applicants or small groups. Learning will be also supported through a set of e-learning tools placed on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodle. Tools comprise: a) learning units; b) laboratory materials; c) self-assessment tests provided with the list of correct answers; d) suggestions of readings.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding. The course enables students to: gain the fundamental knowledge of Geomatics (focusing on: Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing), design a data collection, interpret and create maps, analyze the physical components, vegetation, and human elements of the landscape. At the end, attendees will be able to combine traditional or innovative monitoring techniques to assess spatial and temporal changes on the landscape.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding. The main aim of this course is to provide the students with a solid skill on the methods and tools of Geomatics in order to: design, manage and make a monitoring of the natural and anthropic landscape components, design a flow-chart of procedures, choose and assess maps and remotely sensed data, build geo-database, produce new thematic information, use geoprocessing tools and finally report the results. These competences will be useful in both scientific and professional context.

 

Cross-expertise. a) decision-making ability: choose materials, procedures and technological tools accordingly with the object being studied paying a special attention to the working scale;

b) communication skills: clear and exhaustive report of chosen methodological and technical solutions, delivering results at both practitioners, scholars or other endeavors involved in the analysis and the management of natural and anthropic resources (engineers, architects, biologists, urban planners, administrators, decision makers, citizens); c) learning ability: perform analyses of real study cases throughout Geomatics methods and tools.  

Program

1. Introduction: Geomatics background, definitions, fields of application. Analysis and discussion of applied geomatics peer reviewed works (0.5 ECTS).

2. General Cartography: principles of Geodesy, elements of history of Cartography, language of cartography, classification of cartographic products, elements of cartographic production process, features and information within topographic and thematic maps, projection systems, cartographic datum, scale, symbols and legends, analogical interpretation of topographic and thematic maps, included practical experiences (2 ECTS)

3. Digital Cartography: benefits, vector and raster format, structure and organization of spatial information, visualization ad interpretation of maps through software tools, examples and practical experiences (1 ECTS).

4. Italian official cartography: national products, regional products, access at cartographic information on the web and web-GIS services (0.5 ECTS).

5. Geographic Information Systems: background and operational purposes, general architecture, models and data organization, spatial operators, logical-mathematic operators, selections and queries, principles of 3D modelisation, fields of application, basic training with a GIS software through practical experiences stand-alone or in small working groups (5 ECTS).

6. Remote Sensing: principles of radiometric theory, remote sensing systems, photographic sensors, not photographic sensors, data types, data quality, visual interpretation (photo-interpretation), principles of digital image processing, fields of application, basic training with a IP software through practical experiences stand-alone or in small working groups (3 ECTS).

 

Development of the examination

Learning evaluation methods

Oral discussion includes the presentation of a work done by the student. In order to provide the students with useful information on personal acquaintances, self-evaluation tests (e-learning) are available during the course.

Learning evaluation criteria

In the oral discussion, the student will have to demonstrate: a) knowledge on general cartography, digital cartography, Italian official cartography; b) architecture and functions of Geographic Information Systems; c) Remote Sensing techniques, d) concerning the presentation of an original work, the candidate has to clearly report the chosen method, opting for the most efficient geoprocessing method, selecting good quality materials and delivering an exhaustive communication of results. To pass the exam, the student must demonstrate an overall understanding of contents, using an appropriate technical terminology. He also has to be able to design, execute and manage a methodological and technological analysis and monitoring of a reporting area describing contained natural and anthropic systems, by applying Geomatics' tools.

Learning measurement criteria

The final mark has attributed in thirtieths.

 

Final mark allocation criteria

The oral examination consists of two steps: a) discussion of the methodological and technological solutions and of the results shown in the presentation; b) three questions concerning the topics listed in the teaching program; each of the two parts has evaluated in a range 0-30, the final mark comes from the average calculation. The mark of 30 “cum laude” will be conferred to all those who demonstrates a complete mastery of the subject.

Recommended reading

1. Burrough P.A. & McDonnell R.A., 1998. Principles of Geographical Information Systems, Oxford University Press, 1998

2. Dessena M.A., Melis M.T., 2006. Telerilevamento applicato, Mako Edizioni.

3. Gomarasca M.A., 2004, Elementi di Geomatica, Edizioni AIT

4.Gomarasca M.A, 2009, Basics of Geomatics, Springer.

5.Heywood H., Cornelius S., Carver S., 1997. An Introduction to Geographical Information Systems, Longman, New York.

 

Tutorial session

 

Tuesday from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Courses

• C.L.T. - Scienze Forestali ed Ambientali (SFA)