GIS in Practice

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GIS in Practice

To be announced

Scope

In many PhD research studies the use of geodata has become essential. We offer PhD students the opportunity to join this course, officially scheduled  as a 6 ECT course for MSc candidates, to understand and practice basic geo-information concepts. PhD students could select topics (see annex 1) they like to follow. A minimum of 1.5 ECT (40 hours in 2 weeks) is required. After having selected some topics, their own geodata related questions can be discussed in the context of the selected topics.

The course introduces Geo-Information Science. The starting point of the introduction is the geo-information cycle. This cycle frames geodata-based actions like acquisition, storage, processing and visualization of your data. It is explained that these actions can be used to describe, to analyse, to design and to realize real world phenomena as you address in your PhD research.

Due to the specific need to acquire, handle and visualize geodata, this course introduces the conceptual, formal and technical modelling steps. Important in these modelling steps are the roles of geographical data attributes (thematic, geometric, temporal). Because the acquisition and processing of geodata is purposive, metadata plays an important role to find geodata and geodata processing steps. It also is important to evaluate the (re)usability of geodata and geodata-processing steps. Metadata explain important geodata characteristics like (geo)reference, map projection and attribute domains. Geo-visualization, especially cartography concepts, is introduced to show how geo data ought to be communicated.

After the introduction of the geodata-related concepts, the course offers the geodata-processing options. The latter is done by the introduction of three data-handling classes (query, transform and alter) and the data-action model. The geodata that represent terrain height and processing of these elevation data is given some extra notice.

Besides, basic concepts of Remote Sensing (spectral signature, sensor types, visual and quantitative processing) are also introduced.

The application of these concepts is practiced during a practical and can be projected on your own research material and approach. During the course we use professional software, ArcGISPro, and data, PDOK-based, taking into account a working procedure.

Learning outcomes:

After this course you should be able to:

  • Recognize the basic terms of Geo-Information Science as may be encountered in science and society;

  • Explain the components of the geo-information cycle and the main concepts of Geo-Information Science as needed in research;

  • Practice elementary Geo-Information Science skills (data & software) by assignments.

  • Discuss the knowledge and skills in the context of your research

Programme

Week 1:

BASIC CONCEPTS

  • Day 1 Introduction GIS
  • Day 2 Data model 1: representation
  • Day 3 Data model 2: data structure 
  • Day 4 Geodata types
  • Day 5 Self study

Week 2:

  • Day 6 Map projections
  • Day 7 Geodata visualisation
  • Day 8 GNNS & data capture
  • Day 9 Overall repetition
  • Day 10 Self study

Week 3:

  • Day 11 Review & discussion

GEODATA HANDLING

  • Day 1 Data action models/queries
  • Day 2 Data transformation 1 - raster
  • Day 3 Data transformation 2- vector
  • Day 4 Self study

Week 4:

  • Day 5 Review & discussion
  • Day 6 Data alteration 1 - raster
  • Day 7 Data alteration - vector
  • Day 8 Surface models
  • Day 9 Self study

Week 5:

  • Day 10 Review & discussion

REMOTE SENSING

  • Day 1 Introduction RS
  • Day 2 Spectral signatures
  • Day 3 Acquisition systems
  • Day 4 Self study

Week 6:

  • Day 5 Image preprocessing
  • Day 6 Image processing 1
  • Day 7 Image processing 2
  • Day 8 Self study
  • Day 9 Review & discussion

 ASSIGNMENT OPTION

  • Day 1 Introduction RS
  • Day 2 Spectral signatures
  • Day 3 Acquisition systems
  • Day 4 Self study
General information
Target Group The course is aimed at PhD candidates and other academics
Group Size Min. 12, max. 24 participants
Language of instruction English
Frequency of recurrence Every two years
Number of credits Max. 6 ECTS
Lecturers Ir. A. Bergsma (aldo.bergsma@wur.nl) and Dr. Ir. R. van Lammeren (ron.vanlammeren@wur.nl) of the Laboratory of Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing.
Prior knowledge

Before starting with the course 'Introduction Geo-information Science', we assume participants have some basic knowledge of statistics and physics, the latter especially when the remote sensing part has been selected as well. 

Concerning statistics, we assume that participants are familiar with:

  • simple linear regression
  • the interpretation of a correlation

Participants missing this basic knowledge are referred to the following sites in order to study the subject:

Concerning physics, we assume that participants have basic knowledge of

  • electromagnetic waves
  • the electromagnetic spectrum
  • wavelength and frequency

Participants missing this basic knowledge are referred to the following sites in order to study the subject:

Location Wageningen University Campus
Course website Brightspace course website
More information

Miriam van Heist (PE&RC)
Phone: +31 (0) 317 489131
Email: miriam.vanheist@wur.nl

Registration of interest

At this moment, this course is not scheduled yet. However, if you register your interest in this activity below, we will inform you as soon as the course is scheduled and registration of participation is opened.