SCHOOL	OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
ACADEMIC UNIT	AGRICULTURE
LEVEL OF STUDIES	UNDERGRADUATE
COURSE CODE	GEB0507-3	SEMESTER		5
COURSE TITLE	G.I.S. - Geographic Information Systems
INDEPENDENT TEACHING ACTIVITIES			WEEKLY TEACHING HOURS		CREDITS
Lectures			4
Lab / Op. Exercises			0
Exercises			0
TOTAL HOURS			4		5
COURSE TYPE	Special Background-Selection
PREREQUISITE COURSES	No
LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION and EXAMINATIONS	Greek and English
IS THE COURSE OFFERED TO ERASMUS STUDENTS	Yes
COURSE WEBSITE (URL)	https:// /eclass.uowm.gr/courses/AGRO122/

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

Learning Outcomes
Precision Agriculture, as a method of agricultural practice that maximizes the efficiency of inputs and minimizes their environmental impact, is based on clearly defined spatially and temporally information about each crop. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in conjunction with Remote Sensing are the basic technologies on which precision agriculture is based to recognize the spatial and temporal variability of crop needs. GIS, also known as Geographic Information Systems - G.I.S., are spatial data management systems and associated properties. They are digital information systems (Information Systems), capable of collecting, storing, visualizing, managing, analyzing, and presenting geographically - referenced information. In a general form, a GIS is a smart map tool that allows its users to capture a summary of the real world, analyze spatial data, adjust it, and render it both proportionally (print maps and diagrams), as well as digital media (spatial data files, interactive maps on the Internet). GIS are currently the main research and operational tool in precision agriculture, and their integration into agricultural practice is expected to continue at an increasing rate. After successfully completing the course GIS Geographic Information Systems students, should know and distinguish the role of GIS and their use in agriculture. In mores details, they should be able to: 1. Distinguish the differences between digital and normal cartography. 2. Recognize the role and use of GIS and understand their advantages and limitations in agriculture. 3. Understand the relationship between remote sensing and GIS with examples and applications. 4. Recognize the role of satellite navigation and positioning systems and understand their role in GIS. 5. Collect, visualize, manage and analyze spatial data using open source GIS software. 6. To work as a team and synergistically apply their skills to deliver assignments and / or fieldwork. 7. To be able to judge and explain published literature related to the subject of their work. 8. To use scientific critical thinking to describe and apply knowledge in new situations. General Competences
General Competences
Graduates after obtaining the degree will: - have the theoretical and practical background concerning the field of knowledge of the science of Agriculture and the process of crop production - have the ability to make creative use of scientific knowledge and modern technology for the development and care of all types of plant crops as well as the production and marketing of plant reproductive material - have acquired the necessary knowledge background to be able to access further postgraduate studies - can properly apply their theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during the period of study also - Adaptation to new situations - Decision making - Autonomous work - Teamwork - Working in an international environment - Work in an interdisciplinary environment - Production of new research ideas - Respect for the natural environment - Promoting free, creative, and inductive thinking

3. SYLLABUS

- Introduction to GIS.
- Data collection - digitization - storage.
- Models and structures of geographical data.
- Basic digital data processing and geographic analysis.
- Cartographic performance of data.
- Applications of GIS in agriculture.
- Precision Agriculture
- Import telescopic data and export thematic information
- Production mapping sensors and ground parameters

4. TEACHING and LEARNING METHODS - EVALUATION

DELIVERY

Face to face (Lectures-Workshops)

USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Use of ICT by supporting the learning process through the electronic platform e-class in teaching, laboratory training and communication with students. Also use specialized software to better understand the objectives of the course.

TEACHING METHODS

Activity	Semester Workload
Lectures	30
Laboratory exercises	25
Preparation and presentation of works	15
Bibliography study	15
Independent study	40





Course total (25 hours of workload per credit uni	125

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

1. Formal written final theory exam (50%) at the end of the semester
The written final examination of the theory includes:
- Multiple choice questions
- Short answer questions
- Comparative evaluation of theory elements
2. Homework (25%)
The homework of the laboratory consists of a group presentation on a subject of the course and is presented by the students in the room for evaluation by the teacher and their classmates.

3. Final written laboratory examination (25%)
The written final examination of the laboratory includes:
- Multiple choice questions
- Short answer questions
- Comparative evaluation of laboratory data

The evaluation criteria are defined in the course guide that is distributed by the teacher at the beginning of the semester to the students and is also available in electronic form on the e-class asynchronous distance learning platform.

5. SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

-Suggested bibliography :

- RECOMMENDED BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Geographic Information Systems (2012), Kollia V., Kalyvas D., Triantakonstantis D., Embryo Publications, Athens [ISBN: 978-960-8002-69-2]
• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing (2007), Sillaios N., Gitas I. and Sillaios G., Giachoudis Publications, [ISBN: 978-960-6700-12-5]
• Learning GIS in Practice (2010), Tsouchlaraki A., Achilleos G., DISIGMA Publications, [ISBN: 978-960-99048-4-1]
• Precision Agriculture: Technologies, Applications, Perspectives (2015), Fountas S., Gemtos Th. (https://repository.kallipos.gr/handle/11419/2670), e-book in Greek.
- Online resources
• http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis
• http://www.qgis.org/
• http://grass.osgeo.org/

-Related academic journals:

• Precision Agriculture, Springer Publishers (https://link.springer.com/journal/11119)
• International Journal on Advances in Precision Agriculture, International Society of Precision Agriculture (https://www.ispag.org/publications)
• ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, MDPI (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijgi)
• International Journal of Remote Sensing, Taylor and Francis
(https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01431160802395235)