2020-2021 / GEOG0059-1

Geographical information systems

Duration

30h Th, 30h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in geography : climatology (120 ECTS)6 crédits 
 Master in geography: geomatics (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in geography, global change (120 ECTS)6 crédits 
 Master in geography : geomatics and surveying (120 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

N...

Substitute(s)

Jean-Paul Kasprzyk, Roland Billen

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the first semester, review in January

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

- Definition, functions and components of the geographic information system in an organization - relational database: relational models, SQL language and DBMS Postgres - Modeling of a database: UML formalism (class diagram) - Vector data: different models (hybrid without topology, hybrid with topology, relational integrated and object-relational), ISO 19107 and OGC schema for vector feature definition, coordinate system management (SRID), topology, spatial predicates, DBMS PostGIS, complementarity between spatial database and GIS software - Raster data: conceptual aspect, raster construction, transcription of geographic phenomena, physical definition of the raster, resampling, optimization of raster processing, rasters files, integrated mesh model, hybrid logic model, object-relational model, PostGIS raster - Process modeling: descriptive and conceptual analysis, UML (deployment, use cases, sequences, transitions and activities diagrams), development strategies (SQL, server programming and GIS software exploitation) , graphic modelers and ETL tools - Vector space operators and rasters - Map Algebra and Multicriteria Analysis - Calculations of shortest paths and exploitation of PGRouting tool

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

- Design and implementation of a GIS in an organization - Model vector and raster data and processing

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

- Cartography

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

  • GIS design in UML
  • Implementation of a spatial database management system
  • Use of Case Tools and ETL
  • Integrated exercise: from the design of the data model to the creation of a spatial enabled database
  • Development of applications by graphic modelers and Python scripts
  • Exercises dealing with spatial decision support in vector and raster modes

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

3 hours sessions including theory and tutorialsPractical work by group of students (conception of a spatial database and its exploitation in SQL) given on two sessions of three hours then finished in autonomy

Organisational adjustments related to the current health context

If the pandemic situation requires it, the practical and theoretical exams will be organized remotely as follows Theoretical exam: 20 min oral exam in videoconference (closed book) Practical exam: open book exam where the student will have to implement and operate a PostGIS database on his personal machine during a three-hour vision-conference.

Recommended or required readings

Slides available here : http://geomatics.ulg.ac.be/download/SIG/

Assessment methods and criteria

Below you will find information on the evaluation methods planned for in-person and remote exams as well as those planned for hybrid sessions. Depending on how the health crisis evolves, the chosen method will be communicated to you no later than one month before the start of the exam session.

Any session :

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

- Remote

written exam ( open-ended questions ) AND oral exam

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred remote


Additional information:

- Practical: 40% --Practical works: during the year 15% - Practival exam: exercises on computer 25% - Theory: 60% -- Oral exam
Success is conditionned by the success in both exams (theory and practical). In case of failure, partial exemption (theory or practical) coud be given.
Attendance to courses and exercise sessions is mandatory to present exams.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Most of the software used for the exercises are Open Source. They can be downloaded by students on their computers, but the exercises are necessarily carried out on the university's computers (not students' laptops).

Contacts

Unit of Geomatics University of Liège, Agora, 19 Allée du 6 Août, 4000 Liège (building B5a) Secretaryship : Tel : 04/366.57.42

Professeur Roland Billen et Jean-Paul Kasprzyk Assistant : Romain Neuville