The aim of the course is to provide students with a solid foundation in both the basic theoretical principles and, above all, the practical skills necessary for the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in spatial analysis and the creation of digital geothematic maps.
The course seeks to develop an in-depth understanding of GIS applications in landscape analysis, covering topics such as the representation of geographic information using vector and raster data models, the digitization and creation of spatial data, the fundamentals of spatial analysis, the relational data model, and the use of SQL for managing and querying geographic data.
The course seeks to develop an in-depth understanding of GIS applications in landscape analysis, covering topics such as the representation of geographic information using vector and raster data models, the digitization and creation of spatial data, the fundamentals of spatial analysis, the relational data model, and the use of SQL for managing and querying geographic data.
teacher profile teaching materials
Course contents:
– Introduction to GIS and installation of the open-source QGIS 3.x software
– QGIS interface, main tools, and plugins
– GIS data models: vector and raster data
– Spatial data sources and georeferencing
– Geographic databases and data management
– Vector data editing
– Principles of GIS-based cartography
– Vector geoprocessing
– Raster geoprocessing
– Introduction to and GIS applications of remotely sensed data
– Field data acquisition using GPS, drones, and other surveying techniques
– Introduction to 3D modelling
– Thematic mapping
– Statistical analysis of spatial data
– Attribute-based queries and data selection using SQL and DBMS
– Geoprocessing and introduction to environmental modelling in GIS
– Case-study analysis
– Development of individual and group mapping projects
Main supporting materials:
– QGIS User Guide
– QGIS Training Manual
– Additional technical documentation and supplementary materials indicated during the course
Programme
The GIS Laboratory course is designed to progressively develop skills in the management, processing, analysis, and representation of spatial data. Each lesson combines a theoretical introduction with a subsequent practical application, in order to promote immediate understanding of the concepts and reinforce operational skills. The course also includes guided exercises, case studies, and the development of mapping projects, with particular emphasis on applications in the Geosciences.Course contents:
– Introduction to GIS and installation of the open-source QGIS 3.x software
– QGIS interface, main tools, and plugins
– GIS data models: vector and raster data
– Spatial data sources and georeferencing
– Geographic databases and data management
– Vector data editing
– Principles of GIS-based cartography
– Vector geoprocessing
– Raster geoprocessing
– Introduction to and GIS applications of remotely sensed data
– Field data acquisition using GPS, drones, and other surveying techniques
– Introduction to 3D modelling
– Thematic mapping
– Statistical analysis of spatial data
– Attribute-based queries and data selection using SQL and DBMS
– Geoprocessing and introduction to environmental modelling in GIS
– Case-study analysis
– Development of individual and group mapping projects
Core Documentation
Teaching materials, lecture notes, slides, datasets, and practical exercises will be provided by the instructor and made available through the Moodle platform. Relevant sections of the official QGIS documentation and the QGIS Training Manual, freely available online, will also be used. The course will refer to the QGIS Long Term Release (LTR) adopted during the academic year.Main supporting materials:
– QGIS User Guide
– QGIS Training Manual
– Additional technical documentation and supplementary materials indicated during the course
Reference Bibliography
Free textbooks: - QGIS Development Team, QGIS User Guide, version 3.44: https://docs.qgis.org/3.44/en/docs/user_manual/index.html - QGIS Development Team, QGIS Training Manual, version 3.44: https://docs.qgis.org/3.44/en/docs/training_manual/index.html - Caiaffa, E. (2006), Sistemi Informativi Geografici, ENEA.Attendance
Attendance is strongly recommended due to the practical and laboratory-based nature of the course. Participation in class allows students to follow guided exercises, directly apply GIS tools, and progressively develop the expected operational skills. Attendance is also particularly useful for the completion of individual or group mapping projects, which contribute to the final assessment. Teaching materials, datasets, and practical exercises are made available through the Moodle platform.Type of evaluation
Assessment will consist of a written examination including theoretical questions and a practical exercise carried out using the GIS software used during the course. The examination assesses knowledge of fundamental concepts, the ability to correctly apply GIS tools and procedures, interpret the results, and produce appropriate cartographic outputs. Mapping projects, completed individually or in groups and submitted before the examination, contribute to the final assessment. Evaluation criteria include methodological accuracy, operational autonomy, and the quality of spatial analysis and cartographic representation.