Learning objectives
The student learns the distinctive characteristics of spatial data; knows the technologies for data acquisition and their tolerances; is aware of data currency and of the importance of metadata. Know vector and raster data characteristics, the basic on data bases and the query language.
The student learns how to georeference data and how to perform data interpolation and evaluate the result. Learns how to perform spatial queries and selection based on attributes and combine them.
Applies this knowledge to the solution of engineering and planning problems using GIS software.
Teamwork in the exercices help students to make and motivate choices, exchange opinions, draw conclusions.
The exercices in class do not merely repeat several time the same case, but demand of the student a critical review of his knowledge by varying the format of the data available and of the source of information.
Prerequisites
Basic concepts of cartography, geodetic datums, statistical data processing and analysis, computer literacy.
Course unit content
Cartography: conformal and equivalent maps; map contents and map generalization; tolerances; italian topographic and technical maps.
Digital cartography: definitions and differences with traditional maps. Contents of digital maps. Information coding.
Raster data: spatial and radiometric resolution.Raster data acquisition. Rasterization of maps; georeferencing and mosaicking.
Vector data: geometric and topologic primitives.Vector data acquisition. Cartographic editing and consistency checks.
Digital terrain models. Digital orthophotos.
Geographic information systems: fundamental components and functions. Metadata. Manipulation of raster and vector data: queries; processing of raster data; visualization and representation of results. Presentation and use of GIS software.
Full programme
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Bibliography
C. Jones. Geographic Information Systems and Computer Cartography, Prentice Hall. – Not available at the “Biblioteca politecnica di Ingegneria e Architettura”.
Course material (slides of the lectures, exercices, sample data etc.) in CARTOGRAFIA NUMERICA, at http://lea.unipr.it. Registration to the course mandatory.
Teaching methods
Lectures, exercises with DTM generation software and GIS software
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination foresees oral questions and the execution of simple exercices or operations with visualization, processing and query of geodata with Surfer, QGIS and ArcMap.
The questions are about theoretical and methodological aspects and count for about 70% of the score. The exercices with software verify the capability to apply knowledge and self-learning skills. The list of mandatory skills with the sw programs is included in the course material in LEA.
Other information
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