01063 - TOPOGRAPHY AND CARTOGRAPHY

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students learn the theoretical and practical fundamentals of general and thematic cartography, and the main methodological and technical contents related to plani-altimetric land survey, for the measurement, management, design and maintenance of agricultural areas and rural buildings.

Course contents

Teaching unit #1: Maps and digital maps (18 hours)

•General maps and thematic maps, sources, geodatabases, types, standards, and fields of application

•Presentation, characteristics, potentials and use of Geographic information systems (GIS softwares)

•The use of digital maps in GIS software: vector and raster maps, aerial and satellite imagery; Land analysis of agricultural areas by layers; The analysis of data from GPS surveys

•Hints of cadastral maps

•Land suitability problems: general principles, conceptual model, analysis of base maps, synthesis of thematic maps

Teaching unit #2: digital maps practical lessons (12 hours)

•Digitalization of maps in agricultural areas

•Cartographic analysis of agricultural areas in computer lab with GIS software

Teaching unit #3: analysis of a case study a (12 hours)

The activity involves the identification and investigation of a case study related to the application of geographic information systems in agriculture. The students, working in small groups (3/4 students), identify a study or a technical-scientific analysis (article, report, book chapter, etc.) that has made use of geographic information systems (GIS) to deal with a problem in the agricultural, agri-environmental or agri-food sector (the study to be taken as a reference is identified and proposed by the students and agreed by them in advance with the professor) and produce a paper (report or powerpoint) that summarizes the main objectives of this study, the geographical data and any other data used, the GIS analysis methods used, and the main results obtained. The paper must also outline a critical evaluation of the materials and methods used and results achieved, identifying possible areas for further study or alternative approaches.

 Teaching unit #4: agricultural area survey: theory and practical applications/demonstrations (18 hours)

•Traditional systems for the survey of agricultural areas

•Survey of agricultural areas with satellite systems

•Photogrammetric techniques applied to rural areas and buildings, point cloud survey 

•planimetric and altitude measurement in agricultural areas with the above-mentioned techniques

•Positioning systems and precision agriculture

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes (available through "Insegnamenti online"). For further in-depth study of specific topics: •Sistemi Informativi Territoriali, F. Migliaccio, D. Carrion, UTET Università, 2020. •Topografia di base. Fondamentali della geomatica per la misura e rappresentazione del territorio. R. Carlucci, A. Riggio. EPC Editore. 2015. •Topografia e costruzioni. Volume topografia. Sistemi di riferimento, strumenti e misure, operazioni sulle superfici. di R. Cannarozzo, L. Cucchiarini, W. Meschieri. Zanichelli. 2012.  •GIS e ambiente, Guida all'uso di ArcGIS per l'analisi del territorio e la valutazione ambientale. G. Graci, P. Pileri, M. Sedazzari, Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2008. Manuale ArcGIS 10, Guida pratica con esercizi svolti,
Autori: Giovanni Salerno - Barbara Guandalini. •GIS Open source per geologia e ambiente, analisi e gestione di dati territoriali e ambientali con QGIS. V. Noti. Dario Flaccovio Editore, 2014 •Topografia, fotogrammetria e rappresentazione all'inizio del ventunesimo secolo. C. Monti, A. Selvini. Maggioli. 2015 •Elementi di topografia e catasto, UTET, AA.VV., 2011

Teaching methods

The theoretical concepts are taught through lectures supported by video projection of teaching material (presentations and documents), websites (even interactive), multimedia material, and demonstrations carried out with GIS software and topographical software. Practical and applicative knowledge is provided through guided exercises in a computer lab on the use of GIS software and through exercises / demonstrations / seminars concerning the use of digital topographic instruments and software for modeling and drawing the survey, as well as specific application cases.
The analysis of the case study is developed by the students both in the classroom with the supervision of the professor within the practical/applicative part of the course, and through independent study. The production of this paper and the group work method also aim to facilitate the development of various soft skills. Each group, with the help of a presentation, will present to the classmates in the classroom the progress of the paper during the course, in order to facilitate the exchange of experiences and information between the various groups and to allow a critical discussion and the implementation of indications and suggestions from the professor. During the examination the student will present the final version of the paper (report or powerpoint) (the paper concerning the analysis of the case study product will be subject to evaluation during the exam: students who cannot attend classes must contact the teacher to agree on how to carry out this paper).

Please note: The theoretical and practical teaching activities of the first cycle of lessons a.y. 2020/21 will take place regularly in classroom for all the students compatibly with the health conditions and with the regulations in force relating to the COVID-19 emergency. Teaching activities and university laboratories will also be in any case guaranteed online.

Assessment methods

The assessment is done through an oral examination during which knowledge and skills acquired about each of the theoretical and practical teaching units are evaluated (one question for the theoretical contents about cartography, one question about the theoretical contents about land survey, one question about the use of digital maps in agricultural areas, and one question about the application of land survey of agricultural areas), and the paperwork about the analys of the case study is presented and evaluated (students who cannot attend classes should contact the professor to agree on how to carry out this paperwork). 

The student must achieve a sufficient level of knowledge in all the teaching units, and the overall assessment is made by jointly taking into account the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the student in relation to the contents of all the teaching units. In particular, the vote will be determined as follows:

• question on the theoretical contents of cartography: 20%
  
• question on the theoretical contents of land survey: 20%
• question on the use of digital cartography in agriculture: 20%
  
• question on the use of land survey operations: 20%
  
• evaluation of the paperwork related to the analysis of thecase study: 20%

Dates, times and locations of the examinations are published on the website of the degree course and AlmaEsami website. Subscriptions through the AlmaEsami web application.

Teaching tools

PC and projector. GIS software. Computer lab equipped with GIS software. Topographic instruments and software.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Torreggiani