GEOL-1460
Introduction to Remote Sensing
 Fall, 2008

Instructor: Prof. Michael Ramsey
Office: 509/511 SRCC
Office Phone: 624-8772
Email: mramsey@pitt.edu
Office Hours: W: 1pm - 3pm		 Co-Instructor/T.A.: Topher Hughes
Office: 317 SRCC
Office Phone: 624-6185
Email: cgh1@pitt.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

  1. Objective: This course provides a foundation in the theory and techniques of remote sensing and geospatial data visualization spanning the electromagnetic spectrum from the ultraviolet to microwave. Topics will include light/matter interaction, optics and sensor design, image analysis using commercial state-of-the-art software, as well as current applications of remote sensing to science and engineering problems. The course and integrated laboratory are designed to provide you with an appreciation of current remote sensing issues, the geologic and human processes that impact remotely-gathered data, and how those processes can be measured using remote sensing.


  2. Required Text: "Remote Sensing of the Environment: An Earth Resource Perspective", 2nd edition, by: J.R. Jensen (Prentice Hall Publishing; 2007, ISBN: 0-13-188950-8).

    Supplementary Text: "Remote Sensing: Principles and Interpretation" 3rd edition, by: F. F. Sabins (W. H. Freeman & Co.; 1996, ISBN: 0-71-672442-1).

    3. Both text books will be available on two-hour loan at the Engineering Library. However, it is strongly recommended you have your own copy of the required text book for exam preparation and laboratory projects.


  3. Lecture Times: Wednesday from 6:00pm - 8:50pm in Thaw 11 (lecture) & SRCC 207 (computer labs). Attendance is mandatory for all scheduled class and laboratory meetings. Much of the exam material and laboratory insights will be derived from my class notes and therefore attendance is beneficial to your grade. The three computer labs will meet during the regular class meeting times (see schedule). During those weeks, no lectures will be given and students are expected to meet in the computer laboratory. Also note that there will several times during the semester where I will be on travel for research and therefore will have Topher Hughes fill-in for those lecture.


  4. Course Requirements:

    1. Exams:

      There will be two exams (one mid-term and one final) with equal weighting. The exams may include essay questions, quantitative problem solving, and short answers. Exam questions will be based on material covered in the lectures and text book and will not be cummulative.

    1. Image-processing Laboratories:

      There will be three primary labs in addition to one introductory lab. These labs will meet in SRCC room 207 during the class meeting time, so no additional hours need to be scheduled. However, the lab exercises will likely take longer than the scheduled meeting time. Extended laboratory hours will be announced. In addition, the size of the class may require lab/computer time to be scheduled. More details will follow.


  5. Grading: Grading will be based on both exams, class participation, and the laboratories, with the exact breakdown will be:

    6. Mid-term exam 30%
    Final exam 30%
    Laboratory #1 5%
    Laboratory #2 10%
    Laboratory #3 15%
    Class participation 10%


  6. Cheating: This is not even worth bringing up in an upper-level course. All students are expected to abide by the Provost's Academic Integrity Policy. If you are caught cheating during a test or on your laboratories you will receive no credit for that work. No excuses.


  7. Course Web Sites: The main site is located at: http://ivis.eps.pitt.edu/courses/rs/. It will contain the syllabus, announcements, and assignments for the class. I tend to continually revise the class schedule as the semester progresses, so please check there for the most current class information.


  8. Web Links:

This page last updated: Thursday, 02-Oct-2008 11:23:03 EDT