General and Mathematical Cartography

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A) Learning the general and specific concepts / knowledge of the science and art of cartography (in the fields of General, Mathematical, Topographic, Nautical and Aeronautical cartography) and the corresponding maps.
B) Acquisition of skills and abilities for 1) creation, 2) evaluation, 3) selection and 4) use of maps (with emphasis on topographic and nautical maps).
C) Distinguish the components of a cartographic product and understand their organizational structure. Development of possibilities for construction of a new structure from different eg Data and procedures, depending on the constraints of reality.
D) Application of cartographic concepts eg projections or scales in the creation of cartographic products.
E) Understanding the basic mathematical applications in cartography related to the representation of the Earth in two-dimensional space (plane) with the aim of understanding the basic concepts of the cartographic projections, the application of geometric and mathematical transformations, and concepts, methods and techniques of cartometry.
F) Correlation of cartography with arts and sciences.

 

The course combines the theoretical knowledge required to understand the above objects with the perception of their practical application.
The knowledge and skills acquired by the students in the course are the necessary supplies required for the correct understanding of fundamental geometric / mathematical concepts related to the operation and utilization of maps, while substantially enhancing their background in one of the fundamentals. (Cartography) of the science of the Engineer of Topography and Geoinformatics. Based on the modules designed to support the subject matter of the course, basic theoretical and practical elements are consolidated which are related to:
a. the basic principles of cartography and graphic representations
b. the map display-projection systems
c. the basic geometric, cartographic and mathematical transformations
d. the methods of cartometry
e. familiarity with the use of topographic, nautical and aeronautical maps
f. the connection of cartography with other arts and sciences.

 

General Competences

Taking into consideration the general skills that the graduate must have acquired, the course aims to:

1. understand the cartographic representation, through the passage from the Earth to the two- dimensional surface of the map and the graphic semiology / representation of phenomena, objects and places.
2. search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, using the necessary technologies for the creation of maps and cartographic information.
3. understanding all the concepts and techniques of paper mapping and their application in practice
4. adapt new situations, which requires the creation of maps in a very short period of time (eg in case of natural disasters), or the use of new types of maps; data (eg very high resolution satellite imagery) or the use of new techniques and equipment (eg unmanned aircraft and vehicles).
5. make decisions regarding the correct choice of data, technical, basic graphics and aesthetic features that compose the quality of a map.
6. autonomous work through the theoretical development and practical elaboration of issues related to cartographic concepts and practices, with the aim of developing skills necessary for cartographic studies.
7. In group work aimed at the theoretical development and practical elaboration of issues related to cartographic concepts and practices in order to develop skills necessary for cartographic studies in a team environment where collaboration is necessary.
8. the ability to work in an international environment supported by learning such “standardized knowledge” of cartography taught in most universities. parts of the world, as well as by using and learning English and French “cartographic” terminology.
9. work in an interdisciplinary environment supported by the nature of the cartography course that is directly related to road construction, plumbing, environmental protection, etc.
10. the production of new research ideas (although the course is in a short semester (3rd)) that is supported and developed through a) individual and group work but also b) with information about the research programs of the Department in relation to cartography and the possibilities of students’ participation in them.
11. the design and management of cartographic projects.
12. the demonstration of social, professional and moral responsibility in matters of copyright data and software.
13. the exercise of criticism and self-criticism through the presentation day of the semester papers (individual and group).
14. the promotion of free, creative and inductive thinking.

 

SYLLABUS

Theoretical part – Lectures
Introduction, Basic Concepts, Principles, Definitions. Terminology and “terminology”. Interconnected and overlapping scientific fields, sciences and techniques. Bibliographic resources – Online resources – “Open” Courses in the field of cartography and related fields – Free data. Organizations, scientific and professional associations and organizations related to cartography, its applications and cartographic data. Historical data. History of cartography. Topographic Map – Basic Concepts of Graphic Semiology – Topographic Cartography – Symbols – Colors. Cartographic Toponymy – Alphanumeric Cartographic Semiology – Toponyms in Topographic Maps. Toponyms legend. Categorizations and Types of Maps. Rules of Cartographic Presentation and Composition of Topographic Maps. Cartographic Generalization. Conception, Design, Compilation, Construction, Update and Review of Topographic Maps. Basic principles of creation a “correct” map. Printing and Production of Topographic Maps. Manufacturers / Producers of Maps and Cartographic Data in Greece and Abroad. Categorizations and Types of Maps. Uses of Topographic Maps – Cartometry – Distances in a Map. Other Maps and their Uses. Map and Decision Making. Map and Propaganda. Cartography for Special Categories of Users and Purposes. Cartography and Arts – Media – Advertising. Cartography Research. Topographic Map, Basic Concepts – Accuracy, correctness and reliability of topographic maps. Rendering and cartographic representation of the terrain, rendering and shading techniques of the terrain. Contour lines and terrain. Standards / standardization in the construction of maps. Examples of Greek and foreign maps. Critical presentation and analysis. Pocket maps. Ways to fold maps. Cartographic errors and omissions. Cartography for Special Categories of Users and Purposes. Cartography and cinema. Copyright and legal issues in cartographic production. The creation of a map. From reality to the map. Mathematics for cartographers. Theoretical and Mathematical Cartography – Cartographic Data. Reference Plane. Coordinate systems in level and space. Coordinate conversions. Coordinate transformations. Two dimensional Helmert transformations (4 parameters). (Shift Transform Turning Transform. Scale Transform). Two dimensional Affine transformation (6 parameters). Basic applications of transformations in cartograph. Sphere Reference. Spherical coordinates. Geographic coordinates. Spherical trigonometry. Arc length. Loxodrome and orthodrome. Ellipsoid. Coordinate systems in ellipsoid. Radius of curvature. Arc length in ellipsoid. Coordinate systems in the ellipsoid. Theory of cartographic distortions. Distortions of angles, distances and areas. Scales of linear distortions. Scales of area distortions. Ellipse of distortions. Tissot Theorem. Basic concepts, types and characteristics of cartographic projections. Developable surfaces (cylinder, cone & plane). Classification of cartographic projections. Azimuth projections. Cylindrical projections. Conical projections. Planispheres. Applications of cartographic representations-projections. Use, select, change of projection. Geodetic reference systems. Coordinate transformations. Ellipsoid transformations and geodetic reference system transformations. Ellipsoid, projections, geodetic reference system and coordinate transformations in Greece. Maps of military geographic service coverage system in various scales. Other geodetic systems of other map producers in Greece. Map Accuracy. Basic Concepts of Charts and their Use. Coordinate systems in the Greek charts and basic concepts of navigation. Aeronautical maps. Basic concepts of navigation and navigation in aeronautical maps. Cartometry. Methods of cartometry. Tools, methods in cartometry. Coordinates calculation. Distance Classification. Maps and distance problem. Length / distance measurements. Slopes calculation. Area calculations (in reality and on the map) Volume calculations. Visibility studies. Spatial analysis studies using topographic maps. Basic applications of cartometry in cartography. Map and compass (orientation, navigation techniques, navigation ). Map and GPS (combined use).

 

Laboratory Part – Practice Exercises
Consolidation and practical application of the concepts of cartography (as they are mentioned in the theoretical part): coordinate systems, transformations and coordinate transformations, projections, ellipses, projections and reference systems in Greece. Exercise in recognizing the basic and aesthetic characteristics of a map. Practical understanding of the importance of toponyms and their depiction techniques. Exercise in the illustration of the terrain. Composition of topographic map elements. Analysis of cartographic generalization in topographic maps. Map analysis. Cartometry applications. Basic use of map (topographic, chart). Use of compass, parallel and map. Special issues. Implementation and automation of calculations and cartographic representations (calculation of distortion scales, implementation of cartographic projections, applications of geometric transformations & applications of mapping methods). Bibliographic search and critical composition work (in the theoretical and practical context of the course). Combined use of compass, map and GPS. Applications of transformations and mathematical applications in cartography.Positioning,, navigation and air navigation with charts and aeronautical maps.

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Language of assessment:
Greek or English or French ((for ERASMUS students)
Evaluation methods:
• Written examination at the end of the semester: 60%
• Laboratory Exercises / Field Exercises: 20%
• Personal study and presentation: 20%

 

ATTACHED BIBLIOGRAPHY

– Suggested bibliography:
1. Gretchen N. Peterson , 2012, Cartographer’s toolkit – Colours, typography , patterns, PetersonGIS, San Bernardino CA, USA.
2. Elements of Cartography (6th Edition). 1995. With A. Robinson, J. Morrison, P. Muehrke, A. Kimmerling & S. Guptill. New York: Wiley.
3. Sandra Lach Arlinghaus , Joseph J. Kerski ,2014, Spatial mathematics-Theory and practice through mapping , Taylor & Francis Group Boca Raton, FL, US.

– Related academic journals:
1. The Cartographic Journal, The World of Mapping- Published on behalf of The British Cartographic Society (BCS) Print ISSN: 0008-7041, Online ISSN: 1743-2774, Journal Impact Factor: 0.424, http://www.maneyonline.com/loi/caj
2. Cartographica (On line Journal)- published by the Canadian Cartographic Association http://www.utpjournals.com/Cartographica.html
3. Cartography and Geographic Information Science – published by Taylor & Francis http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tcag20/current#.U6Fe4dKKBMw
4. Cartography & Surveying- published by Maney Publishing http://maneypublishing.com/index.php/feature-of-the-month-carto-survey

– Useful Links
http://www.geography.wisc.edu/histcart