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Identical coursesGeospatial Information Technologies (B-KUL-I0I32A)
Cannot be taken as part of an examination contract
Van Orshoven Jos (coordinator) | Lhermitte Stef | Van Orshoven Jos | Vanden Berghe Ingrid Aims
- Become profoundly knowledgeable about geospatial database technology and its relationships with Geographic Information Systems;
- Acquire specialized skills related to working with and managing (object-)relational geospatial databases using PostgreSQL/PostGIS-software by means of an elaborated tutorial emphasizing the Structured Query Language (SQL;
- Acquire thorough knowledge of the rationale and concepts of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI);
- Acknowledge the organizational dimension of SDI;
- Acquire thorough knowledge of the technical components of SDI: (i) geospatial data repositories, (ii) metadata catalogues, (iii) access services and (iv) technical standards regarding (i), (ii) and (iii);
- Learn to interact with SDI to discover, explore and exploit geodatasets;
- Learn how to contribute to SDI through data modelling and standardization, database and metadata compilation and publication, service development.
Geospatial databases and repositories are the core component of Spatial Data Infrastructures. “SDI" is the generic solution to the lack of accessibility and interoperability of geospatial data. An SDI is a set of technological and non-technological components meant to facilitate access, exchange and re-use of geospatial data within and between organisations with a view to contributing to the spatial enablement and performance of all kinds of user processes. In this course, SDI are studied as multi-component adaptive systems meant to support environmental policy and decision making.
Previous knowledge
Basic conceptual knowledge of geospatial data, geospatial databases and geospatial information systems
Basic practical skills in solving geospatial questions by means of geospatial data and GIS-tools
Is included in these courses of study
- Master in de geografie (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2021-2022) (Leuven e.a.) (Optie Professionalisering) 120 ects.
- Master in de geografie (programma voor studenten gestart vóór 2021-2022) (Leuven e.a.) (Ruimtelijke analyse van de omgeving) 120 ects.
- Master of Geography (Programme for students started before 2021-2022) (Leuven et al) (GIS AND SPATIAL MODELLING) 120 ects.
- Master of Statistics and Data Science (on campus) (Leuven) (European Master of Official Statistics (EMOS)) 120 ects.
- Courses for Exchange Students Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (Leuven)
- Master in de bio-ingenieurswetenschappen: landbeheer (Leuven) (Major bos-, natuur- en landschapssystemen) 120 ects.
- Master of Bioscience Engineering: Agro- and Ecosystems Engineering (Leuven) (Major Subject: Forest, Nature and Landscape Systems) 120 ects.
- Master in de geografie (programma voor studenten gestart in 2021-2022 of later) (Leuven e.a.) (Geo-Informatiewetenschappen) 120 ects.
- Master of Geography (Programme for students started in 2021-2022 or later) (Leuven et al) (Geo-information Sciences) 120 ects.
Activities
1 ects. Geospatial Databases (B-KUL-I0D98a)
Content
- Principles of geospatial data modelling: Entity-Relationship modelling and Visual Modelling by means of the Unified Modelling Language
- Relational and Object-Relational database design and management
- Introduction to the Structured Query Language
Course material
Presentations supported by reference book Geographic Information Science & Systems (Longley et al., 2015) and by various URLs.
Format: more information
Interactive lectures
2 ects. Geospatial Databases and SQL: Practical (B-KUL-I0D99a)
Content
- Tutorial of the PostgreSQL/PostGIS-software
- Assignments
Course material
- Presentations and background documents
- Tutorial with solutions
- Assignments
Format: more information
Tutorial, exercises and assignments are offered through Toledo and elaborated at home. This is possible since the PostgreSQL/PostGIS-software belongs to the family of Free and Open Source Softwares. The contact sessions are meant to obtain feedback and advice.
2 ects. Geospatial Data Infrastructures (B-KUL-I0U99a)
Content
1. From GIS to SDI: The five components of SDI
2. Component 1: Geospatial data repositories
. Geospatial data repositories as an extenstion of object-relational databases
3. Component 2: Metadata
. Metadata of geospatial datasets with focus on documentation of data quality
. Metadata of geospatial services
4. Component 3 + 4: Access services and geospatial standards
. Extensible Markup Language (XML)
. Geography Markup Language (GML)
. Standards for access services from the Open Geospatial Consortium: Web Map Service, Web Feature Service, Web Coverage Service, Sensor Observation Service, Catalogue Service for the Web
. Real Time Kinematic Positioning Service
. Harmonisation and standardization of data model
5. Component 5: Organizational considerations regarding SDI
Course material
Presentations, a selection of scientific articles and reports and various URLs provided through Toledo. Reference is also made to the book Longley et al., 2015. Geographic Information Science & Systems.
Format: more information
The lectures are interactive, meaning that the lecturer takes the lead but students are encouraged to internalize the transferred knowledge through question/answer-subsessions, group discussions, interaction with SDI, small computer exercises, …
1 ects. Geospatial Data Infrastructures: Practical (B-KUL-I0V00a)
Content
Exercises and assignments dealing with several (but not necessarily all) of these topics:
•Design, creation and management of object-relational geospatial data respositories;
•The interpretation and production of UML class diagrams for a number of geodata themes; Conversion of UML class diagrams into object-relational databases; Accessibility and interoperability of geodata for a particular project;
•The discovery and exploration of geodatasets by means of metadata and web services; Production and publication of metadata; Documenting the quality of data;
•The Geography MarkUp Language (GML) as a standard format for exchange of geodatasets;
•The setup of web map and web feature services ;
•The connection to and exploitation of a Sensor Observation Service and of a Real Time Kinematic Positioning Service;
•The CityGML data model;
•The organizational structure of the Flemish (GDI) and the European SDI (INSPIRE).
Course material
Various (online) course materials and software packages with tutorials and dedicated exercise descriptions, various URLs
Use is made of free and open source software or of trial version software:
- Quantum GIS as generic GIS-software;
- PostgreSQL + PostGIS as Object-relational database management software;
- OpenGeoSuite (GeoServer, Open layers, ...) for geospatial web services;
- FME.
Format: more information
Exercises are integrated and assignments introduced in the lecture sessions. Students complete exercises and assignments individually or in group. Tutorials, exercises and assignments are offered through Toledo and elaborated at home. This is possible since the software used belongs to the family of Free and Open Source Softwares. There is sufficient possibility for obtaining feedback and advice through multiple contact sessions and by email.
Evaluation
Evaluation: Geospatial Information Technologies (B-KUL-I2I32a)
Explanation
OLA I0D98a: Geospatial databases (weight 1/6):
. Written exam, Open Book
OLA I0D99a: Geospatial Databases and SQL: Practical (weight 2/6)
. 2 to 4 individual or group assignments to be handed in in the course of the semester according to a prescribed timing (see Toledo)
OLA I0U99a: Geospatial data infrastructures (weight 2/6)
. Written exam, Closed Book, together with I0D98a
OLA I0V00A: Geospatial data infrastructures: practical (weight 1/6)
. 2 to 3 individual or group assignments to be handed in in the course of the semester according to a prescribed timing (see Toledo)
In order to be allowed to participate in the written exam of OLAs I0D98a and I0U99a, the student must have submitted all the assignments of OLAs I0D99a and I0V00a according to the prescribed timing (see Toledo). If the student does not submit all assignments on time, except for valid reasons timely communicated to the exam ombuds service, the course will be considered as not taken (NA).
Moreover, the student cannot succeed in this course when the combined score for the assignments for I0D99a and I0V00a is less than 9/20. The overall mark of such student cannot be higher than 9/20.
Information about retaking exams
A student is exempted from retaking assignments for both I0D99a and I0V00a when the combined score for the assignments for I0D99a and I0V00a is at least 10/20 in the first exam session. In this case, the score of the assignments for I0D99a and I0V00a are transferred to the third examination period.
The grades of the written exam of I0D98a and I0U99a will not be transferred to the third examination period. A student who does not pass the course will therefore always have to retake the exam of I0D98a and I0U99a in the third examination period.