Introduction Geo-information Science

The course introduces Geo-Information Science and its scientific and societal interests. The starting point of the introduction is the geo-information cycle. This cycle frames geo data based actions like acquisition and storage, processing and visualization. It is explained that these actions can be used to describe, to analyse, to design and to realize real world phenomena. Thus geo data is always acquired, processed and visualized with a specific purpose. This is illustrated via 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 geo data is purposive, meta data plays an important role to find geo data and geo data processing steps. It also is important to evaluate the (re)usability of geo data and geo data processing steps. Meta data explain important geo data characteristics like (geo)reference, map projection and available attributes. Geo-visualization, especially cartography concepts, is introduced to show how geo data ought to be communicated. After the introduction of the geo data related concepts, the course offers the geo data processing options. The latter is done by the introduction of three data handling classes (query, transform and alter) and the data-action model. The geo data that represent terrain height and processing of these elevation data has given notice. Besides, basic concepts of Remote Sensing (spectral signature, sensor types, visual and quantitative processing) are also introduced. The application of all concepts is practiced during a practical and by a small project using professional software and data according a working procedure.

After successful completion of this course students are expected to 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 a study project
• Practice elementary geo-information science (data & software) skills in a project
• Report the application of geo-information science by an elementary technical report and a basic problem oriented presentation

You must meet the following requirements

• Completed none of the course modules listed below
• Geo Information for Planning and Design (GRS10806)