GeoWeb

General characterization

Prerequisites

Databases;

Computer Graphics and Interfaces;

Algorithms and Datastructures

Bibliography

• Duckham, Matt, Sun, Qian, Worboys, Michael, GIS: A Computing Perspective, 3rd Edition,CRC Press, 2024.
• Longley, P. A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J. and Rhind, D.W., Geographic Information Systems and Science, 4rd Edition,John Wiley and Sons, 2014.
• Wade Bishop and Tony H. Grubesic, Geographic Information: Organisation, Access, and Use, Springer, 2016.

Teaching method

Theoretical issues are introduced in lectures, and instantiated in exercises and examples in labs, as the students build a body of techniques to support the development of the practical assignment. 

Students must develop a group assignment in which they conceive a system contemplating a set of fundamental requirements for the GeoWeb, and which will provide access to the exam. These students must write a report describing their system and present their work. 

Evaluation method

Theoretical issues are introduced in lectures, and instantiated in exercises and examples in labs, as the students build a body of techniques to support the development of the practical assignment. This component is evaluated through 2 tests, each one worth 30% of the final grade (NT).

Tests are in-person, individual, written and without consultation of any additional materials. Electronic devices (e.g. calculators, cell phones, smartwatches and laptops) are not allowed.

Students develop a practical assignment in groups of two students, in which they conceive a system contemplating a set of fundamental requirements for the GeoWeb, and which will provide access to the exam. These students must write a report describing their system and present their work. This assignment must be the subject of authorship verification, which can be achieved orally or in written test. Although practical work is developed as a group, assessment it will be performed individually. The assignment grade is worth 40% of the final grade (NP).

To support the development of practical assignment, students are allowed to use Artificial Intelligence tools (such as, for example, ChatGPT or Copilot) as a research resource for identification and selection of relevant resources and tools. This use must be explicitly referred to in the code delivered and the assignment report. Omission of using these resources constitutes fraud. In the wake of this type of submission, the faculty may resort to forms of assessment that allow to evaluate whether students understand the work delivered. The submission of complete sets of code taken from existing repositories, constitutes fraud.

The grade of the theoretical component is calculated with the following formula:

NT = (T1 + T2 ) /2

To pass the course, students must achieve a minimum grade of 9.5 (out of 20) in both NT and NP. If NP is >= 8.5, the student will have achieve the attendance requirement. Only students with attendance can access the appeal period (exam), in case of failure in continuous assessment (normal period).

In appeal season, the test grade is replaced by the exam grade (NE), which is worth 60% (NT) of the final grade.

Test scores are rounded to the nearest decimal value.

Grades for practical work and exams are rounded to the next unit value. NT is also rounded to the next unit value.

In normal season, the final grade is calculated as follows:

NF = NT * 0.6 + NP * 0.4

In appeal season of NT is replaced by the score of the appeal exam (NE).

For students who have achieved the attendance requirement but fail the course, the final grade is NT or NE.

NF=NT or NF=NE.

Subject matter

A. Introduction to Geographic nformation (GI)

• Nature and functionality of GI

B. Representing Geographic Information

• Field-based models
• Entity-based models
• Data Structures for Geographic Information

C. Georeferencing: Coordinate Systems and Projection Systems (examples)

D. The GeoWeb

• Concept, current capacity
  • Vision for the future

E. The GeoWeb: Distributing the data

• Standards for geographic data
• Geographic Metadata
• Geographic databases

F. The GeoWeb: Distributing the Software

• Processing Services for the GeoWeb

G. Architectures and applications for the GeoWeb

• Multi-tier architectures
• Virtual Globes
• Web Mapping Systems
• Location-based Systems

H. User interfaces and interaction in the GeoWeb

• Cartographic Interfaces
• Geo-visualization
• Interaction Technology for Mobile GIS: Virtual and Augmented Reality

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: