Geo-Informatics

Fundamentals: Introduction to Geo-informatics, Definition, scope, and applications of Geo-informatics, Components of Geo-informatics: GIS, Remote Sensing, GPS, Photogrammetry, Surveying, Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Definition and historical development of GIS, Components of GIS, Functions of GIS, Geospatial Data Concepts, Spatial Data: Points, lines, polygons, Non-Spatial (Attribute) Data, GIS Data Models, Raster Data Model, Vector Data Model, Coordinate Systems and Projections.

Fundamentals of Remote Sensing, Definition and concept of remote sensing, Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR), Remote Sensing Platforms and Sensors, Platforms, Sensors, Image Acquisition and Characteristics, Analog vs. Digital images, Remote Sensing Image Pre-processing, Radiometric correction (atmospheric correction, sensor calibration), Geometric correction (rectification, georeferencing), Image mosaicking and subsetting. Image Enhancement Techniques, Contrast stretching, histogram equalization, Filtering (spatial filtering: smoothing, edge detection), Band ratios and principal component analysis (PCA).

Global Positioning System (GPS) and GNSS: * Components of GPS, Working principle: Trilateration, pseudoranging, Sources of error in GPS measurements, Differential GPS (DGPS) and its applications, Overview of other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, Geospatial Data Acquisition Methods, Field Data Collection: GPS receivers, total stations, Drones (UAVs), Digitization, Data Conversion, Data Sharing and Exchange Formats: Shapefile, GeoJSON, KML, GML, Basic Surveying and Photogrammetry (Brief Overview), Data Quality and Metadata, Accuracy, precision, resolution, completeness, consistency, Sources of error in geospatial data, Importance of metadata for data documentation and usability.

• Spatial Analysis in GIS, Query Operations, Overlay Operations, Proximity Analysis: Buffer, Nearest Neighbor, Network Analysis: Shortest path, service area, routing, Surface Analysis:
• Interpolation (IDW, Kriging), DEM generation, slope, aspect, hillshade. Remote Sensing Image Classification, Unsupervised Classification: K-means, ISODATA, Supervised Classification, Spatial Modeling, Data Visualization and Cartography, Principles of map design and cartographic representation, Thematic mapping, symbology, labelling, Map layouts and map production, 3D visualization of geospatial data.

Advanced Applications of Geo-informatics, Urban Planning and Management: Smart cities, infrastructure management, urban sprawl analysis, Environmental Management: Disaster management, forest monitoring, pollution mapping, climate change impact assessment, Natural Resource Management, Transportation and Logistics, Public Health: Disease mapping, epidemiology. Integration of Geo-informatics with Other Technologies, Web GIS, Mobile GIS, Big Data and Cloud Computing in Geo-informatics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Geospatial Analysis, Emerging Trends in Geo-informatics, Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues in Geo-informatics, Data privacy and security, Data ownership and intellectual property rights, Accessibility and digital divide, Misuse of geospatial data, Professional ethics in Geo-informatics.