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GEOL0253-1

Spatial analysis of geo-environmental data

[ version française ]

Duration :15h Th, 15h Pr
Credits/ECTS :
2nd year of a Bachelor's degree in civil ingeneering sciences, civil ingeneer orientation2
Holder(s) :Eric Pirard
Course contents : I. Acquisition of geo-environmental data.

  • Principles of geo-environmental monitoring
  • Geo-environmental and statistical terminology
  • Typology of geo-environmental data
II. Non spatial exploratory analysis of geo-environmental data.

  • Histogram visualisation
  • Mathematical analysis of the histogram
III. Spatial exploratory analysis of geo-environmental data

  • Terminology and notations
  • Identification of outliers
  • Principles of data levelling
  • Global statistics
  • Local statistics (mobile) and trend analysis.
  • Spatial correlation analysis (structural analysis)
IV. Spatial inference using deterministic models.

  • Surface regressions
  • Polygonizations and other extensions
  • Triangulations
  • Inverse square distance transforms.
Course objective : 1) To make students aware of the importance of a quantitative approach in geo and environmental sciences

2) To present under a coherent framework different facets of data processing in geosciences (GIS, Imaging, Geostatistics,...)

3) To make adequate use of graphic visualization tools for statistical and spatial geo-environmental data. To analyse distribution laws generated by different geo-environmental phenomenon.

4) To become familiar with the required software tools
Prerequisites : None
Workshops : Practical training will make use of programming in MATLAB.

After a few workshops, the student will be asked to conduct an independent project and to submit a written report for evaluation
Organization : Theoretical courses by blocks of 2 hours.

Pratical workshops using PC by blocks of 2 to 4 hours.
Written notes : « Analyse spatiale des données géo-environnementales », E. PIRARD, ULg, 2006 in paper format or pdf.

Additional references :

  • Swan A. et Sandilands M., 1995, Introduction to geological data analysis, Blackwell, ISBN 0-632-03224-3 (disponible via l'intranet à l'UD Sciences de la Terre)
  • Goovaerts P., 1997, Geostatistics for natural resources estimation, Oxford Univ. Press
  • Kanevski, M. et Maignan, M., 2004, Analysis and modelling of spatial environmental data, EPFL Press, (incl. CD-ROM Geostat Office).
Assessment : Written examination about the theoretical concepts.



The personal work realised in Matlab (common with Intro to GIS) will count for 25% of the total
Contacts : Prof. Eric PIRARD - 04/366.95.28. - eric.pirard@ulg.ac.be

Nadia ELGARA (secrétaire) - 04/366.37.99 - nelgara@ulg.ac.be

Gaëlle DANNEELS (assistante) - 04/366.95.27. - gaelle.danneels@ulg.ac.be

Annick ANCEAU (Conservateur, UD Sc. Terre) - 04/366.53.56.
Remarks : The course will be taught in ENGLISH

Lecture notes are available in french.

Written examination will be in french.




ULg : Students and Studies Administration - Academic Affairs
Contact : Monique Marcourt, direction A.E.E.
Date of data : 18/05/2007
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