Charles University in PragueFaculty of Science

Curricula in GeoinformaticsFaculty of Science, Charles university in

Prague

Markéta Potůčková

Charles University in PragueFaculty of Science

Department of Applied Geoinformatics

Geoinformatics at Charles universityCharles university in Prague

Faculty of Science

Geography –> dept. of Cartography

Department of Applied geoinformaticsand cartography

1348

1920

1991

2003

Traditional GI curricula within geography• Loosely coupled with physical and social

geography – main emphasis on cartographic output products and visualization for research activities in geography

• More or less research on using tools for specific applications and a classic map creation

• Development of the new technology, approaches or methodology was restricted for different subjects individually (remote sensing, geoinformatics, cartography)

Needs for change

Motivations for change in curricula

• Huge development in geoinformatics and remote sensing science

• Change in perception of geoinformatics as a science which gives more possibilities in research and development of new applications

• New requirements for the graduates• Acceptance of the Bologna agreement

New curriculum was created, accredited and has been used since 2003

Goals in geoinformatics education

• Not only individually develop domains within geoinformatics but outline possible combinations and methods across all subjects to solve a given problem

• Highlight an interdisciplinary character of geoinformatics science

• No possibilities to cover all specialization within one department therefore cooperation with other departments physical (hydrology, geomorphology, etc.) and social/regional (urban studies, landuse/landcover, regionalization, etc.) geography – in applications the stress is on the geoinformation content (development of new tools, data quality, …)

Structure of the curriculum

• 4 basic fields:• Science and research methods• Spatial data acquisition, processing and analysis• Spatial data visualization and presentation• Database systems

• Students learn appropriate subjects either in bachelor degree and in master degree

• Master degree is focused on geoinformatics science whereas geoinformatics is only a part of more general bachelor degree

Courses provided by the Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Cartography

Bachelor degree

Bachelor degree

Introduction to university studySeminar to bachelor thesis

Science and research

Bachelor degree

Acquisition and processing of spatial data

Bachelor degree

Visualization and presentation of spatial data

Bachelor degree

Database systems

Master degree

Overview on courses of the study programme “Cartography and Geoinformatics”

Master degree

Science and research

Master degree

Acquisition and processing of spatial data

Master degree

Visualization and presentation of spatial data

Master degree

Database systems

Science and research

- Researches’ ethical code- Writing capability- Presentation capability- Working with information sources (search,

analyze, use and write)- Team working- Systematic approach to solving problems

Bachelor and master thesis

Science and research

All modules (subjects) lead to a selection of the diploma thesis

Examples of the diploma topics (finished in 2006):

• Access to GIS and spatial database from mobile devices

• Application of VRML for creating a web information system of …

• Detection of vegetation at rural areas by means of object classification

• Analysis of land cover changes of the model area …

Spatial data acquisition and processing• Principles of geoinformatics, GIS, and remote

sensing in bachelor degree• Subjects in master degree extend the basic

with knowledge and practical skills for:• Data collection by means of photogrammetry,

laser scanning, optical RS systems, RADAR techniques

• Overview of existing topographic and other databases in the Czech Republic

• Advanced techniques in remote sensing (object oriented classification, fuzzy aspects of the classification, etc.)

• Uncertainty in data sets and data quality checking

Spatial data visualization and presentation

Using appropriate techniques users applicability

• General overview of cartography is given in bachelor degree (overview of the history, mathematical fundaments, basic rules for creating maps, digital cartography)

Master degree• more about algorithms on background processing

of vector and raster data, digital image processing• data distribution via web environment

Database systems

Different approach for students:Bachelor degree

• Study principles of the database, using SQL, creating and using simple database systems and using databases within GIS technologies

Master degree• Advance database modeling issues including

CASE tools, transaction and analytical systems (OLTP, OLAP)

Voluntary courses in programming (C++, Java, Python)

Cooperation between subjects

• Main aim for curriculum is interdisciplinary cooperation and complex view of the problems

• Students choose a specialization through topic of the thesis – possibilities for voluntary modules

• Courses are provided with a given succession

• Interdisciplinary character of the curricula is finishing in diploma thesis

Application of acquired knowledge

• Example of a master thesis (defended this week)

Topic: ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF LAND SURVEY RECORDS BY REMOTE SENSING AND GIS MEANS

Theoretical part: research focused on land survey records accuracy evaluation on cadastral scale in Czech republic

Practical part: 1. Data acquisition from several sources (field

survey, digital cadastral map, analogue maps and satellite data – IKONOS, SPOT)

2. Visual image interpretation

Application of acquired knowledge

3. Image classification4. Analyzing and comparing classification

results with real land use; accuracy assessment

5. Knowledge – based reclassification, importing data from different sources

6. Test of feasibility to update land use database by a proposed methodology

7. Comparison of the applied methodology with methods that has been used so far

• Example of a master thesis (defended this week)• Topic: ACCURACY ASSESSMENT OF LAND

SURVEY RECORDS BY REMOTE SENSING AND GIS MEANS

• Theoretical part: research focused on land survey records accuracy evaluation on cadastral scale in Czech republic

• Practical part: • Data acquisition from several sources (field

survey, digital cadastral map, analogue maps and satellite data – IKONOS, SPOT)

• Visual image interpretation

Application of acquired knowledge

Science and Research

Acquisition and processing

• Image classification• Analyzing and comparing classification

results with real land use; accuracy assessment

• Knowledge – based reclassification, importing data from different sources

• Test of feasibility to update land use database by a proposed methodology

• Comparison of the applied methodology with methods that has been used so far

Application acquired knowledgeAcquisition and processing

Database systems

Visualization

Equipment

• Sufficient hardware and software equipment is essential

• Department’s laboratories and computers rooms(also for individual working)• proprietary and open source software solution (e.g.

ESRI, Oracle, PCI Geomatica, Definiens Proffesional, PostgreSQL/PostGIS, Mapserver, Adobe, Corel, etc.)

• Enough ESRI software (basic courses) due the ESRI site license

• Except of the training data, own receiving station for meteorological imagery (EUMETSAT)

Collaboration with other departments and institutions

• Ongoing research projects in the field of• RS (urban sprawl, monitoring of scrub pine

areas, land slides)• LUCC• GMES• Cartography

• Students and staff exchange programmes• Erasmus (ITC, AAU, Valencia)

Thank you for your attention

FIG symposium, PragueScientia Est Potentia

Charles University in PragueFaculty of Science