Definitions of reference surfaces - The geoid; approximate solutions of the geoid: spheroid and rotation ellipsoid; the terrestrial ellipsoid; geographic coordinates, deviation of the vertical, geodetic DATUMs: local and global; DATUM transformations.
The representation of the ellipsoid on the plane and cartographic information system - The general problem of cartographic representations; the linear, surface and angular deformation modulus; the classes of cartographic representations; the map scale; equivalent representations; conform: the Mercator projection, the polar stereographic projection, the Gauss projection; the Cassini-Soldner projection and the Cadastre map; the cartographic information system, elementary notions of cartographic drawing, representation of altimetry, conventional signs and legend; official Italian cartography.
GNSS - Generalities; principles of GNSS satellite measurements: pseudo-range equations and phase miusre; post-processing and real-time positioning; use of static and dynamic GNSS networks.
The process of building digital cartography and modern acquisition systems - Passive sensors (frame cameras, oblique cameras) and active sensors (ALS - Airborne Laser Scanning) mounted on an aerial platform; acquisition with high-resolution optical satellite sensors: types of platforms, pan-sharpening techniques and algorithms.
Digital models of the real world - Characteristics and construction methods of digital terrain models (DTM, Digital Terrain Model); TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network); DEM (Digital Elevation Model); DSM (Digital Surface Model); Interpolation methods: nearest neighbour, Kriking, Spline, IDW (Inverse Distance Weight) and collocation; Primitive 3D: Tetrahedra, Polyhedra, B-Splines, NURBS.
GIS (Geographic Information System) - Constituent characteristics and organisation of data, the hardware and software components of a GIS; organisation of cartographic data; databases and management systems (relational and object model); GIS functions: querying GIS databases using SQL (Structured Query Language); spatial vector analysis; organisation of layouts; construction of thematic maps; Georeferencing of raster and vector files through conformal and affine transformations; sharing GIS on the Internet (WebGIS).
Elements of theoretical topography, planimetric and altimetric surveying - The topographic plane, simple and complex measuring instruments: the total station, the level; planimetric surveying: triangulations, intersections and traverses (open and closed); altimetric surveying: levellings and classification of levellings; the dimensioned plane.
Measurement processing - generalities; direct and indirect measurements; error distribution; precision and accuracy; the least squares principle; linearisation of observation equations.