Distance course in
GIS Data Quality
Certification | Location | Start | Duration | EC | Tuition fee | Registration deadline | NFP registration deadline | Register |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Certificate | Distance | 11 Mar 2013 | 6 weeks | 5 | EUR 1000 / 500 | Registration is closed | 02 Oct 2012 | n.a. |
This course aims to cover the basic principles of spatial data quality. This subject is of central importance in GIS and related fields since the quality of the data used and produced impacts on the quality of decisions made. The term “spatial data quality” is widely used in academic, governmental and industrial contexts but often remains undefined. In this course, participants are required to give critical attention to the meaning of spatial data quality. Greatest attention will be given to quantitative and statistical aspects of the subject. To do this, we will revise and develop some fundamental statistical concepts and computational tools that will be of more general value for data analysis and modelling.
For whom is the course relevant?
The course is relevant for a wide range of geospatial data users and producers.
What will be achieved?
On completion of this course, particpants should be able to:
- explain the term “spatial data quality” and use it appropriately
- explain basic concepts in probability and statistics
- implement basic exploratory data analysis in R
- explain the basic principles of simple and multiple linear regression and implement them in R
- outline the modifiable areal unit problem
- define attribute and positional uncertainty and evaluate their impact on the quality of spatial data
- describe the potential impacts of uncertainty on the quality of spatial data products
- evaluate quantitatively the impact of uncertainty on the output of a simple model.
Learning from a distance, how is it like?
The general approach of the course is task based learning which blends theory and practice. The study load is 20 to 24 hours per week. All materials including (most of) the software will be provided online in ITC's digital learning environment Blackboard. For convenient offline study most materials will be sent on a CD-Rom. We will use email for individual communication and a discussion board in Blackboard for group communication.
Admission requirements
Academic level and background
Applicants for the Distance programme should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.
English language
As all courses are given in English, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. Participants in Distance programme are exempted from an English language test. However, ITC expects their proficiency in the English language to meet the minimum requirements mentioned below.
English language tests: minimum requirements
TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) | 550 |
TOEFL Internet-based Test | 79-80 |
British Council / IELTS | 6.0 |
Cambridge | CPE/CAE |
Computer skills
Applicants for the Distance education programme must have elementary computer experience, regular access to internet and e-mail. For some courses additional computer skills are required (see description of specific course).
GIS and remote sensing
Most distance courses, except for the introductory course, require knowledge of, and skills in, working with GIS and/or digital image processing of remotely sensed data.
Candidates are asked to provide proof of identity during the registration process.
Software requirements
We will use various freeware and open source software such as R and DUE.
Hardware requirements
ITC recommends the hardware to meet the minimum specifications mentioned below.
Processor: | Pentium 4, Dual Core, Xeon or equivalent processor |
Internal memory (RAM): | Minimum 2 GB |
Free hard-disk space for installing: | Minimum 3 GB |
Operating system: | Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 |
Video: | 64 MB RAM minimum, 256 MB RAM or higher recommended;? NVIDIA, ATI and INTEL chipsets supported |
Other hardware: | CD-ROM/DVD reader, sound card and speakers or headphones |
Minimum internet connection: | Reliable connection: broadband or equivalent; minimum download speed 1 Mb/second |
?
What more there is to know?
This distance course is based on a module of one of ITC's degree courses, successful completion will lead to exemption for that module in the degree course.