Class Geographic Information Systems

   This course aims to equip students with essential skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), focusing on georeferencing, spatial data modeling and analysis, practical application using QGIS, and thematic cartography production. Emphasis is placed on solving real-world problems within the context of Civil Protection.

Not applicable

Introduction to GIS: a) Fundamental concepts; b) Geographic information structure; c) History and main fields of application (Civil Protection examples); d) Resources and data/information sources. Software QGIS - structure and main applications; naming rules, forms of organization / management information. GIS data models: Vector, Raster and Tabular. Creation, acquisition and editing data/information; Topological and non-topological models. Geographical databases. Coordinate systems in GIS environment (QGIS); Georeferencing. Tabular data manipulation (selection by attribute, selection by location, join and relate, calculation and statistical analysis indicators). Geoprocessing (Clip, Dissolve, Merge, Buffer, Intersect, Append). GPS - Evolution and current systems. Global positioning system. Raster operations; Interpolation. Surfaces Analysis; Spatial/Matrix algebra. Symbols and representation methods. Layouts.

The teaching methodology combines theoretical-practical lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations and complementary bibliography, step-by-step demonstrations, and case studies in a GIS environment (QGIS). Theoretical topics are covered in the initial stages, while operational ones are addressed later, along with exercises using open data sources (DGT, IGEOE, APA). The final assessment consists of a QGIS project that integrates the course content, allowing students to apply the knowledge acquired. A written report is submitted and discussed with the instructor. Tutorial sessions provide individual support for students’ daily work and study.

Albano, R. & Sole, A. (2018). Geospatial Methods and Tools for Natural Risk Management and Communications, ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 7, 470; doi:10.3390/ijgi7120470. Burrough, P.A. et al. (2015). Principles of Geographical Information Systems, 3rd Edition. Cosme, A. (2012). Projeto em Sistemas de Informação Geográfica. Lisboa, Lidel. Gaspar, J. (2000). Cartas e Projeções cartográficas, Lidel Edições Técnicas, Lisboa. Huang, B. (2018). Comprehensive Geographic Information System, Elsevier, ISBN: 978-0-12-804660-9. Matos, J. L., (2016). Fundamentos de Informação Geográfica. LIDEL, 6ª Edição ¿ Atualizada e Aumentada, Lisboa, ISBN: 9789727575145. Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-874284-5. Pandey, J.; Pathak, D. (2014). Geographic Information system, Teri, ISBN: 978-81-7993-537-8. Silva, Ana; Ponte, Cristina; Taborda, Rui; Catalão, Joao; Amorim, Alexandra (2016). Sistemas de Informação Geográfica: Análise Espacial.