Course overview
The course teaches the theoretical background of Earth Observation by space and airborne platforms, and how it is applied in the broader environmental and global change sciences.
Summary: This course covers how the science of Earth Observation uses the physics of the electromagnetic spectrum to gather remotely sensed information to understand physical, biological, and chemical phenomena affecting the planet's biosphere. We focus primarily on optical satellite remote sensing, but we will also introduce emerging and advanced technologies (e.g. hyperspectral, microwave, LiDAR). We demonstrate applications of remote sensing for estimating and mapping biophysical properties and thematic classes like land cover. Practicals will provide hands-on experience with satellite image processing using programming. Students will ultimately learn how to use these techniques to monitor and quantify changes in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
This course is suitable for students in their second or third year of studies.
- Physics of Earth Observation and principles of remote sensing
- Techniques and algorithms for image processing
- Deriving biophysical variables from remote sensing
- Environmental change detection
Course learning outcomes
- Understand and explain the physical and biological principles and concepts underlying the derivation of information with remote sensing
- Describe the sources, nature and characteristics of common forms of remote sensing data
- Learn about new developments and trends in earth observation and its computational analysis
- Perform a range of key digital image analyses with computer programming and scripting techniques
- Interpret the information provided by remote sensing data for a range of environmental applications and prepare reports that incorporate outputs from image analysis
- Describe how remote sensing is being used for a range of disciplines and applications