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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2011/2012
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Postgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences)

Postgraduate Course: Fundamentals for Remote Sensing (PGGE11053)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) Credits10
Home subject areaPostgraduate Courses (School of GeoSciences) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course introduces the principles lying behind remote sensing, concentrating on space-borne platforms. The fundamentals of electro-magnetic (EM) radiation are explained, as are its interactions with Earth=s surface and atmosphere. The course goes on to examine sensor characteristics, satellite orbits and various current and future missions involving a range of sensors across the visible, radar and microwave components of the spectrum. When dealing with images, the skills of image processing are used to extract meaning and interpretation from the spatial relationships of data, and the basics of image processing are also taught. The course includes a large number of examples of applications of remote sensing to environmental questions.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?Yes
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2011/12 Semester 1, Available to all students (SV1) WebCT enabled:  Yes Quota:  None
Location Activity Description Weeks Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
King's BuildingsLecture6-11 14:00 - 15:50
First Class Week 7, Thursday, 14:00 - 15:50, Zone: King's Buildings. Room 5, Crew Building Annex
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours:Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Fundamentals for Remote Sensing1:30
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
&· Demonstrate detailed, integrated knowledge of the application and history of remote sensing;
&· Discuss the nature of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with the earth&©s surface and atmosphere;
&· Demonstrate a critical understanding of the differences between remote sensing systems and be aware of their characteristics and limitations;
&· Competently interpret, process and evaluate remotely sensed images and be able to use remote sensing to achieve self-defined goals;
&· Understand and use the language of image data to a professional standard in written reports;
&· Critically identify specific applications where remote processing may be used as a tool for monitoring and research;
&· Define and use appropriately basic concepts related to satellite orbits;
&· Discuss with critical insight appropriate image processing techniques for specific purposes;
&· Apply knowledge of image processing principles strategically to new problems.
Assessment Information
Assignment 20%
Report 20%
Exam 60% (comprising multiple choice questions and essay question)
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus - Introduction to Remote Sensing & the Electromagnetic Spectrum (lecture)
- Basics of images and ERDAS (lecture and practical work)
- Image processing techniques (lecture and practical work)
- Observing techniques and applications: Lidar, Optical, Thermal and Passive Microwave (lectures)
- Overview and examination preparation (tutorial) and Classification (practical)
Transferable skills The aims of the option, in terms of students&© transferable skills, are to:
&· Allow students to engage with a range of theoretical ideas and practical
techniques in remote sensing;
&· Have an understanding of some of the recent forefront developments;
&· Enable students to interpret a variety of source material and be able to
make professional-standard judgements where data are limited or comes
from a range of sources;
&· Provide training in critical analysis and in written presentation so students
are able to critically identify and analyse complex problems to a
professional standard.
Reading list Lillesand, T. M. and Kiefer, R. W. (2004). Remote sensing and image interpretation. Fifth
Edition. Wiley, 736pp.
Campbell, J.B. (2002). Introduction to remote sensing. (3rd edition). Taylor and Francis
(or Guildford), London. 622pp.
Jensen, J.R. (2007). Remote sensing of the Environment: An earth resource perspective.
Second Edition, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey. 544 pp.
Rees, W. G., (2001) Physical principles of remote sensing 2nd ed, CUP.
Robinson I S (2005) Measuring Oceans from Space, Praxis.
Mather, P.M. (2004). Computer processing of remotely-sensed images: an introduction.
Third Edition. Wiley and Sons, Chichester. 292pp.
Jensen, J.R. (2005). Introductory digital image processing: A remote sensing approach. Third
Edition. Prentice-Hall.
Liu J G and Mason P J, Essential image processing and GIS for remote sensing, Wiley-
Blackwell, 2009, isbn: 978-0-470-510131-5
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsPGGE11053
Contacts
Course organiserDr Chris Merchant
Tel: (0131 6)50 5097
Email: Chris.Merchant@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Caroline Keir
Tel: (0131 6)50 2543
Email: caroline.keir@ed.ac.uk
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