This course covers the theory and application of satellite remote sensing as a tool for environmental science. Topics include the fundamentals of electromagnetic radiation, reflection and absorption, satellite and sensor technology, map projections, integration of GIS data, and digital image analysis. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to individual student projects. Instructors and CEO Staff will assist students in designing a research project of their choice that will use the image analysis techniques they learn in the early stages of this course.

The lectures and lab exercises during the first third of the course provide a foundation to work with satellite images. You will receive practical training with advanced image processing software and internet data acquisition techniques.

The second third of the course covers a series of environmental case studies using remote sensing and GIS techniques to answer a particular question. These lectures and lab assignments may include applications in: forest harvesting and land use, geomorphology, ecology and infectious disease, climate studies, and/or monitoring agricultural practices. There is also a ground truth field trip Saturday 20 October 2007.

The final third of the course consists of lectures on advanced techniques. In place of assigned lab exercises, students work on their independent research projects, applying remote sensing techniques to satellite images. Teaching Assistants, CEO Staff, and Instructors are available to assist students in exploring advanced techniques in their projects.

Check out the OEFS home page to find course resource information, syllabus, lab schedules, etc.

*** Important Notice ***

This course will be offered next during the Spring 2009 semester. An introductory workshop in remote sensing may be offered this year. For more information see the Image Analysis for ArcGIS Workshop web page or contact Larry Bonneau directly to discuss your remote sensing needs.

Prerequisites:

College level physics or chemistry, two courses in geology or other environmental sciences and computer literacy.

Application Procedure:

Students wishing to take the course must apply using the form available online or provided at the first lecture. This form must be submitted at the CEO Lab in ESC 119 by Noon on Thursday September 6 2007. This will allow us to create student accounts on the system and assign students to lab sessions.

Meeting Time and Place:

Lectures - Tuesday and Thursday 8:45 - 9:50 AM in the Kline Geology Lab in room KGL 123
Labs - One two-hour session weekly. Depending on size of the student enrollment, there will be four or five lab periods on Thursday afternoon and evening and Friday afternoon at the Environmental Science Center in room ESC 119.

Textbooks:

Required:

Online Documentation:

Instructors: Ronald Smith (G&G), Mark Ashton and Ann Camp (F&ES), Frank Hole (Anthropology), Durland Fish (EPH) and other lecturers and staff

Graded Work: Weekly lab reports, mid-term exam, student research project