Distance course in
Principles of RS, GIS and GEONetCast
| Certification | Location | Start | Duration | EC | Tuition fee | Registration deadline | NFP registration deadline | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Distance | 26 Mar 2012 | 6 weeks | 5 | EUR 1000 / 500 | Registration is closed | Not applicable | n.a. |
Introduction
To manage agricultural and environmental resources spatial information and access to spatial data and products is essential for decision-makers. This course introduces participants to the basic concepts and operational skills necessary to acquire and use products obtained through the GEONETCast system. The objective is to create a firm basis for the successful use of Earth Observation technologies and data to apply operational environmental and climate monitoring operations. This course is offered in the framework of the AMESD initiative. Participants applying through this initiative get priority over individual applicants.
For whom is the course relevant?
The course is primarily developed for staff members of the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Development that will work with AMESD services who have no or limited knowledge of GIS and RS.
What will be achieved?
Next to some background theory on RS, GIS and the set-up of the GEONETCast system you will develop some technical skills on data retrieving methods, product content and data analyses related to agriculture, drought and fire monitoring.
What will be achieved?
The course introduces remote sensing as a technique for acquiring different types of geospatial information, GIS as an analytical tool for spatial analyses and GEONETCast as a system for data retrieval: The following topics will be dealt with
Remote Sensing
- Introduction to Remote Sensing
- Electro Magnetic Energy
- Platforms and EO Sensors (Spatial, spectral, radiometric and temporal resolution)
- Visualisation (colour systems, band selection, enhancement)
- Introduction to feature extraction (band arithmetic, NDVI)
GIS
- gentle introduction
- geographic information and spatial data types
- spatial referencing (coordinate systems and map projections)
- analytical GIS capabilities:
- retrieval and classification
- spatial overlay analysis
- ILWIS 52N GIS-software tools
GEONETCast
- system components
- data and products
- products navigator
- ILWIS-GEONetcast toolbox
Why choose this course?
This course is an essential preparation for follow-up training sessions and workshops related to AMESD SADC-thema training. A successful completion of the Distance Education is a formal requirement by AMESD for enrolment in follow-up training.
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 DVD. 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.
What more there is to know?
For any question that would not be answered by the information on our website you may e-mail to education@itc.nl or contact:
The Student Registration Office
T: +31 (0)53 487 44 44;
Office hours Monday to Friday 9:00am to 17:00 pm, Central European Time.