GIS and Remote Sensing Tools (5 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course student:
- knows and understand the processing, storage and analysis of spatial information using geographical information systems GIS
- knows how to apply GIS in practical situations in ecological landscape planning and monitoring of the state of the environment
- can interpret aerial photographs and make maps using relevant methods

Content (course unit)

Principles of GIS and remote sensing tools and applications in land use planning and making and interpreting maps

Location and time

Lecture times are available in LUKKARIKONE (https://lukkarit.tamk.fi/).

Exam schedules

14.12.2020 Moodle exam, carried out in adp class F1-31/remote?
18.12.2020 Retake, Moodle exam, carried out in adp class F1-31 or B2-22/remote?

Evaluation methods and criteria

Exam 50% : Open computer/book Moodle exam executed at TAMK in adp classroom by using QGIS, assessment grades1-5
Course work 30 %: compulsory, assessment grades 1-5
Remote sensing (drone mapping, laser scanned data) issues will cover 20% of the whole grade, questions will be included in the GIS Moodle exam.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The teaching methods include contact teaching, distance teaching, GIS exercises, GIS coursework (individual), drone exercise, collecting GPS- data, course exam. The exam will be carried out by solving spatial data management tasks in QGIS. The exam will contain also some questions concerning remote sensing issues

Learning materials

Lecture slides and other materials will be available in Moodle course.
Other materials:
Ebert, J I 2007, Chapter 3: Photogrammetry, Photointerpretation, and Digital Imaging and Mapping in Environmental Forensics, in: Murphy, B, & Morrison, R, Introduction To Environmental Forensics, Amsterdam: Academic Press. Available in the library's eBook Collection (EBSCOhost).
contact teaching
Wise, S. 2013 GIS Fundamentals
Heywood, Sarah Cornelius and Steve Carver. An introduction to geographical information systems. Harlow : Prentice Hall, 2002.
QGIS Help
QGIS videos in You Tube

Student workload

Contact teaching and guided computer excercises approximately 50 h, self-study and excercises approximately 85 h. Total approximately 135 h.

Content scheduling

Remote Sensing data, aerial images, satellite images, laser scanning (point cloud) data
Drone mapping
Coordinate systems
Satellite positioning
Open file data and download services
Spatial data models, database management, visualization and thematic maps, searching functions, data entry, elementary proximity and overlay analysis
Environmental observations/change observations based on laser scanning and drone data

Practical training and working life cooperation

The course exercises are related to the skills that environmental engineers commonly need in their working life.

Further information

The QGIS will be the tool used in the course. It is an open source software freely available in internet
Link for downloading in Moodle.
Point cloud visualisation and analysis by CloudCompare (open source software).

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student does not reach the level of satisfactory or does not do the exam neither the reports

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can:
- download open file spatial data
- do the coordinate definitions
- separate vector and raster data from each others
- edit the appearance of the map objects and make thematic maps
- search map objects and save the results as separate files (layers)
- save and transfer data with gps device
- enter gps data into GIS
- explain the properties of aerial/satellite images and point cloud data

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can in addition to previous mentioned:
- edit map objects and update attribute data
- utilize searching functions for efficient use of spatial data
- produce vector data
- rectify raster images
- maintain data of different coordinate systems gps data included
- visualise remote sensing data

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student can apply previous mentioned skills and elementary analysis tools in problem solving.