Acquire a basic knowledge concerning digital cartography, remote mapping techniques and field sampling methods; Gain a fair understanding of GIS-based applications and be able of capturing, storing, displaying, and elaborating spatial and geographic data. To provide students with theoretical foundations and technical/ applied skills about GIS and their applications in the fields of sustainable land management and conservation of natural resources. Objective in line with UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly with the goals 13 (“Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts”), 14 (“Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”), and 15 (“Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss”).
Course Prerequisites
Understanding of the basic knowledge of the personal computer (Windows, Mac or Linux operating system) is required. To ensure a better learning it is suggested to have attended the course of Physical Geography and Cartography (I year).
Teaching Methods
Theoretical lessons followed by practical applications. Tutorials on PC with dedicated software.
Assessment Methods
Student performance will be assessed through a written exam composed of a practical GIS exercise using the same software adopted during the lectures.
Texts
Students will be provided with lecture materials and slides before class. The relevant parts of the textbooks or web material that need to be studied will be communicated during the lectures. The reference textbooks are all Open Source and available online or on Kiro.
Contents
General concepts of GIS; Coordinate reference system (CRS); Principles and concepts related to GIS-specific core technologies (components and processes); The vector and raster data model; GIS data sources and Web platforms; Vector editing; Spatial analysis using raster and vector data; Data analysis (queries, selection and spatial analysis); Thematic mapping (classifications, representations, thematizations); Production of elaborates; Brief introduction to Global Positioning System (GPS).
The course is based on practical applications of GIS to visualization and analysis of data concerning animals and plants
Course Language
Italian
More information
Given the applied nature of the course, attending lectures is highly recommended. The lecture material provided in class is in Italian and will be all available on Kiro and Google Drive. The main software of the course will be Quantum GIS (QGIS) 3.16.0 "Hannover".
