INTRODUCTION TO GIS

Students will learn the models and formats of digital representation of spatial data, the structure of a geographic information system (GIS); they will use an open source GIS software package (QGIS+SAGA+GRASS) for visual representation of spatial data and analysis of raster and vector data.
The students will acquire knowledge on using GIS tools to interpret spatial data and process multiple layers with environmental variables to extract information, assess and predict dynamics related to the environment.

- spatial data definition, common models of digital representation of spatial data (vector, raster, TIN etc..)
- data source types (file-based, web-based, geodatabases, web services etc…);
- sources of spatial data (raster data (digital terrain models), regional and national cartographic data – topographic geodatabases, global datasets – e.g. global forest cover etc…);
- visualizing data, color representations and production of thematic maps from attributes;
- analysis of raster and vector data using GIS tools over single or multiple layers (geospatial relations, raster calculation, interpolation etc...).
- interpolate vector data to raster data and evaluate accuracy through k-fold validation
- use multi-criteria evaluation with spatial data to model and predict environmental factors and correlated factors;