BENA4053 Basics of Geoinformatics (3 cr)

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Study level:
Intermediate studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

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A course related to the fundamentals of spatial data, geographic information systems, and spatial analyses.

Description

Digital maps and geographic information in general. Basic principles of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their use in analysing geographic information, remote sensing data sets and other spatial data. Global Navigation Support Systems (GNSSs), and their differential correction methods. A short introduction to spatial statistics methods, including spatial interpolation. Either ArcGIS Pro, or QGIS is used in the exercise sessions of the course.

Learning outcomes

After completing this course, the student should be able to

  • Describe how geographic information is stored in computers.
  • Describe how geographic coordinate systems and map projections work in general, and describe the systems used in Finland more carefully.
  • Describe the principles of global positioning system (GPS) and the differential correction related to it.
  • Store and analyse observations with GPS location related to natural phenomena.
  • Utilise some basic methods available in geographic information systems (GIS), such as joining data sets, editing geographic objects, projecting them to other coordinate systems, summarising, proximity studies, buffer-based analyses, and overlay analyses (intersection, union), to solve some rather simple research problems.
  • Use the basic terms of spatial statistics correctly.
  • Describe the geostatistical spatial interpolation method, ordinary kriging, and its assumptions.
  • Study water flow and stream network within a watershed using the hydrological modelling tools of a GIS program.

Additional information

Can be passed in English by self-study. Lectures and exercise sessions are available only in Finnish.

Study materials

English lecture slides and exercises will be available in Moodle.

Literature

  • Holopainen M. ym. 2015. Geoinformatiikka luonnonvarojen hallinnassa. Helsingin yliopiston metsätieteiden laitoksen julkaisuja 7. (valikoiden); ISBN: ISSN: 1799-313X
  • Longley P.A., Goodchild M., Maguire D.J., Rhind D.W. 2011. Geographic Information Systems and Science, 3rd Edition. Wiley. (valikoiden); ISBN: 978-0-470-72144-5
  • Webster R., Oliver M.A. 2007. Geostatistics for Environmental Scientists, 2nd Edition. Wiley. (valikoiden luvut 1-5, 8); ISBN: 978-0-470-02858-2

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Lectures and computer exercises are given in Finnish. English material is available in Moodle.
Evaluation criteria:
Final exam 100%.
Time of teaching:
Period 1
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Parts of the completion methods
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Participation in teaching (3 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
Finnish

Teaching