Duration
10h Th, 30h Pr, 60h Proj.
Number of credits
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The Geoinformatics and Geocommunication course aims to provide students with a solid background in the collection and management of data and information, including spatial data, in relation to geological issues but also to other contexts. At the end of the course, students will be able to carry out advanced bibliographical research in various databases available mainly online, including geospatial data (e.g. cartographic data, satellite images, etc.). Mastering geographic information systems will enable them to organise this spatial data in the form of information layers, apply transformation tools (mathematical and others) and, from this, produce cartographic documents (topographic and thematic maps) useful for decision-making involving a spatial dimension. These tools can also be used to produce maps to document and illustrate projects such as technical reports, dissertations, etc.
Although some of the prerequisites for this course are rooted in the field of geology, the skills acquired go well beyond the 'georesources and environmental geology' field, and students planning to follow other fields of study in FSA will certainly find it of interest (e.g. construction, energy, etc.).
This course is divided into two parts.
The first part of the course one is dedicated to information literacy. Resources in Earth Sciences and Geological Engineering available at the University are presented. Among these : GEOREF, Scopus, GeoScienceWorld, the discovery tool of the University libraries... as well as certain specific internet resources. The correct writing of bibliographical references is also taught.
In connection with this part of the course, a documentary research is requested. The proposed topics are defined in close cooperation with the mineral resources or hydrogeology courses. The students have to collect and synthetise the biblographical information available for a site or a region. A written report presenting the results is required from each student. An audio-visual presentation of his/her work in front of the class is to be organised. This oral presentation is in English.
The second part of the course covers the consultation and exploitation of databases available on the internet (geoportals, etc.) and the use of geospatial resources, as well as an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) using the free Quantum GIS (QGIS) software. In connection with this part of the course, students must prepare a GIS mapping project relating to a hydrogeological context in Wallonia. On the basis of this GIS mapping project, the student must collect data, apply specific processing within the QGIS software and then generate a series of thematic maps to be supplied in digital format (e.g. pdf) accompanied by a brief report describing how these maps were produced, as well as an organised and legible computer copy of the GIS project that was used to generate the maps.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
- Teaching students to search information on a specific topic in relation with the mineral resources or hydrogeology course.
- Teaching students to use GIS and to produce cartographic documents.
- Teaching students to write down a written synthesis of their research findings.
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.2, II.1, II.2, III.1, V.1, VI.1, VII.2, VII.3, VII.4, VII.5 of the BSc in engineering.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Co-requisite: Mineral Resources (GEOL0020-4) or Hydrogeology (GEOL0013-5). INFO2009-2 is prerequisite.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
See above.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Additional information:
The two theoretical parts of the course are held in a classroom of the department.
For the work associated with each part, students work autonomously using all the documentary and cartographic tools and GIS made available for them. Access to GIS and bibliographic resources within the university are guaranteed. The students are invited to direct their questions to Prof. E. Pirard, Dr S. Brouyère or to Dr A. Anceau.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
A tutorial involving information literacy and GIS use is at students' disposal.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
oral exam
Written work / report
Additional information:
The evaluation of the Geocommunication part of the course is based on the following :
- the clear understanding of the subject,
- the quality of the bibliography (quality and importance of the documents; quality of the given references),
- the clarity and written quality of the text,
- the cartographic document,
- the oral presentation.
The Geocomputation part of the course is assessed through the GIS work submitted by the student.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Dr Annick ANCEAU (a.anceau@uliege.be)
Dr Serge BROUYERE (serge.brouyere@uliege.be)
Prof. Eric PIRARD (eric.pirard@uliege.be)
University of Liège
Dep. ARGENCO/GEMME-GEO3
Quartier Polytech 1
Allée de la Découverte 9, Bât. B52
4000 Liège 1
BELGIUM