During the Professional Development Course in “UAV and Laser Scanner for 3D mapping”, participants will explore the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS/UAVs) and digital photogrammetry as tools for image acquisition and the generation of three-dimensional object models. The course will cover the operational principles of aerial and terrestrial laser scanning systems, integrated GPS-IMU inertial navigation systems, and techniques for point cloud acquisition, processing, fusion, and editing.
The educational activities in the field of geomatics, which have been delivered for many years at the Centre for GeoTechnologies of the University of Siena, have attracted the interest of public administration officials and technical staff, professionals, and private-sector companies. The course is aimed not only at holders of first- and second-cycle university degrees (e.g. geology, engineering, architecture, forestry sciences, agricultural sciences, and archaeology), but also at surveying technicians, industrial technicians, and other technical professionals.
Throughout the course, participants will learn methods for acquiring and extracting topographic and geo-thematic information, as well as advanced techniques for producing spatial datasets containing numerical and multi-temporal information.
Lectures will include practical examples of image processing using datasets with different spatial and spectral resolutions, integrated with 3D topographic data to generate digital elevation models (DEMs), stereoscopic models, and orthorectified datasets. The ratio between theoretical instruction and practical activities (fieldwork and computer-based exercises) is 1:3.
- Tuition fee: € 600,00
- Application deadline: 15 december 2026
- Total hours: 48
- ECTS: 7
- Delivery Mode: in-person
- Start of Classes: january 2027
- Teacher: Salvini Riccardo
- Language of instruction: Italian
- CAP details: download more information
- Application tutorial: link
- Application website: link
Who can apply
The course is intended for anyone interested in data acquisition and surveying using drones and laser scanners who holds a secondary school diploma or a university degree.
The Professional Development Course (CAP) in UAV and Laser Scanner for 3D mapping is primarily aimed at professionals who are already employed, have established their own professional practice, or wish to update and enhance their skills in order to meet the evolving demands of today’s job market.
Aims
The Professional Development Course in “UAV and Laser Scanner for 3D mapping” aims to train specialists capable of carrying out the acquisition, management, processing, and analysis of 3D spatial data derived from drone-based photogrammetric surveys and terrestrial laser scanning.
The course also covers the theoretical foundations of photogrammetry (aerial, satellite, drone-based, and terrestrial) and laser scanning surveying techniques (airborne, drone-based, and terrestrial).
Course Structure
DRONE-BASED PHOTOGRAMMETRY (24 hours – 3 ECTS)
- Foundamentals of drone-based photogrammetry (8 hours – 1 ECTS)
- Drone photogrammetry data acquisition survey (8 hours – 1 ECTS)
- Photogrammetry data processing (8 hours – 1 ECTS)
AERIAL AND TERRESTRIAL LiDAR (24 hours – 3 ECTS)
- Foundamentals of aerial and terrestrial LiDAR (8 hours – 1 ECTS)
- LiDAR data acquisition survey (8 hours – 1 ECTS)
- LiDAR data processing (8 hours – 1 ECTS)