GIS and Remote Sensing in Applied Geology

The course aims at introducing students with Cartography and Geographic Information Systems technologies. By the end of this course the students will be able to:

• recognize different types of maps and to interpret their contents.
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of basic principles and concepts related to Cartography and GIS.
• define the geographical data as vectors and rasters and information as spatial and non- spatial.
• study maps of Greece and to recognize the projection systems.
• use geographic data in a GIS environment, to process it and to produce maps.
• generate DEM from digitized contour lines and to construct topographic and elevation profiles.
• value the significance of maps as tools of communication, information exchange and decision-making on a diachronic basis.

By the end of this course the student will, furthermore, have developed the following skills:

• Locate his position in the field and on the map
• Georeference satellite remote sensing data, airphotos, maps and digitize data
• Import, save, process spatial and non spatial data in GIS environment
• Produce simple digital maps

• Searching, analysis and synthesis of facts and information, as well as using the necessary technologies
• Decision making
• Autonomous (Independent) work
• Work in an international enviroment
• Work in an interdisciplinary enviroment
• Work design and management
• Respect to natural environment 

The course is organized in 4 teaching circles which are described below. 

The course is organized in 3 teaching circles which are described below. 

 Circle Α:

• Cartography – Typology and components of maps.
• History of Cartography.
• Basic principles of cartographic design – Scale – Spatial Resolution.
• Map Projection. Introductory concepts (geoid, spheroid, ellipsoid, geographic coordinates, datum, grid systems, types of projection, parameters).
• Hellenic Geodetic Reference Systems.
• Distortions, Mathematic models for geometric correction and resampling. Geometric correction of maps and satellite images.

Circle Β:

• Theory of GIS, History, Structure.
• Spatial and non- spatial data, Digitization,
• Raster and vector data, structure of GIS system
• Transformation of vector data to raster data
• Thematic layer and thematic maps

Circle C:                               

• Topology
• Introduction to Spatial Analysis
• Introduction to Digital Elevation/ Surface Models
• Construction of topographic and elevation profiles.

Circle D:

• Case studies of the use of Geographic Information Systems in Geology.
• Global Navigation Satellite Systems or Global Positioning Systems.
• Combined use of GIS and GNSS

Written examination after the end of the semester (G_th70%)

Written reports for each laboratory exercise (G_lab30%)

Minimum passing grade:  5.

Final Course Grade (FCG)

1. "Cartography and introduction to GIS)" Nikolakopoulos, 2018.University of Patras Editions (in Greek language)
2. Laboratory Notes: "Laboratory exercise of cartography and GIS", K. Nikolakopoulos, H Simoni, 2018.University of Patras Editions (in Greek language)
3. Laboratory Notes: "Laboratory exercise of digital processing of Remote Sensing data combined with GIS", D. Vaiopoulos G. Skianis K. Nikolakopoulos, Athens University Publ. 2006, p. 178. (in Greek language).