Note: Since the first meeting was postponed to Wednesday, September 19th, it is possible to register for the seminar until Tuesday, September 18th.
The topic of this seminar are very large data sets and the algorithms for handling such amounts of data applied to geoinformatics. In this context any data set that is several times larger than the available computer main memory is considered very large. Such data sets are almost ubiquitous in geoinformatics and therefore methods for handling such data are important in the field.
An important way of coping with very large data sets are algorithms especially designed to handle inputs that are larger than the available memory. Such algorithms are often called external memory algorithms, since they use external memory (hard disk) in addition to main memory.
In this seminar very large data sets and external memory algorithms are discussed with special emphasis on applications in geoinformatics. The seminar is suitable both for computer science majors and geomatics majors as the topic can be approached both from the algorithmic point of view, or from the point of view of problems to be solved.
From the algorithmic point of view, interesting topics include how external memory algorithms differ from those designed to work in the main memory, how large data sets affect runtime and space efficiency, and what kinds of algorithms are required for solving different kinds of geoinformatics problems. Previous knowledge about geoinformatics is helpful, but not required.
From the problem point of view, interesting topics include the types of analyses required for solving various geoinformatics problems, and what kinds of problem solving methods are available for a given problem. Basic knowledge about data structures and algorithms required.
The course will take place in the first and second periods (fall semester). The first session is held in room M3 on Wednesday, September 19th. Room M3 is located in the second floor of the department of surveying. The first session will contain an introduction to the seminar topics and detailed arrangements for the seminar.
The course is arranged as a research seminar: each participant will select a topic, research it independently, and then write a seminar paper and give a short presentation.
The independent research phase of the seminar is done during the first period (september-october), and seminar presentations will be given during the second period (november-december). A few sessions may be arranged during the first period, mainly for discussion and exchange of ideas.
Working language for the seminar is English, unless all participants are fluent in Finnish.