Centre for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science (CRSMS)

ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING (ERS)

POSTGRADUATE M.Sc./Diploma COURSE INFORMATION

Centre for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science
Department of Geography
University of Aberdeen

THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

THE CENTRE FOR REMOTE SENSING AND MAPPING SCIENCE (CRSMS)

The Centre for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science (CRSMS) in the Department of Geography at the University of Aberdeen was established in 1989, and acts as a focus for teaching, research and consultancy in remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and mapping science, including surveying, cartography, and Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Education and Training in remote sensing and Mapping Science are offered at postgraduate level through a Diploma (9 months) or M.Sc. degree (12 months) taught course in Environmental Remote Sensing (with components in GIS).

Facilities and supervision are also available for the research degree of Ph.D., either following on from the taught M.Sc. or, where previous background is appropriate, by direct entry to a Ph.D. programme. Short courses, varying in duration from a few days to a few weeks or months are also offered on particular aspects of techniques or methodology arising from research activities.

Close links are maintained with other departments in the University and local research institutes include the and additional links are also maintained with numerous other institutions in the UK.

STAFF

David R. Green
John F. Loder
Lawrie McLean
Michael Wood
Robert Wright (Course Director)

RESEARCH INTERESTS

The CRSMS has developed expertise in:

Cartography

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Remote Sensing

Mapping Science

with research interests in:

Techniques:

Human Computer Interfaces (HCI)

Map Design

Model Aircraft

Videography

Visualisation

Environmental Applications:

Coastal and Marine

Ecology

Forestry

Hydrology

Landscape Ecology

Land-use/Land-cover

Urban

Vegetation Mapping

Education and Training:

Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Remote Sensing

RECENT PROJECTS

Recent projects have included:

The evaluation of Landsat satellite data for land-cover type mapping in Scotland

The use of aerial photography for the study of vegetation succession

The assessment of the stability of physically fragile coastal areas utilising remote sensing

A GIS for the Moray Firth

LABORATORIES, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

The CRSMS is particularly well equipped for hands-on practical experience using a range of up-to-date remote sensing, GIS, and cartographic hardware and software, including ERDAS and IMAGINE running on networked and stand alone PCs and Sun Workstations, ARC/INFO running on PCs and Sun Workstations, GRASS, SPANS, R-CHIPS, Idrisi, and Mapviewer. Other projects have utilised the DIAD image processing system, the LaserScan GIS, and access to the Smallworld GIS.

THE COURSE

Environmental Remote Sensing (ERS) deals with the theoretical basis and application of techniques for sensing, recording, analysing, and displaying the effects of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with the Earth's surface features. Particular emphasis is placed on sensors operating from aircraft (including light and model) and Earth orbiting satellites and on environmental applications in:

agriculture and horticulture (e.g. vineyards)

archaeology

ecology

fisheries

forestry

geography

geology

the marine sciences

topographic mapping

natural resources inventory

The course is designed to cover both theoretical and practical aspects of remote sensing

CURRICULUM DETAILS

ENVIRONMENTAL REMOTE SENSING FOUNDATIONS

(WEEKS 1-6)

The scope of the subject is set out in the FIRST module:

OBJECTIVES AND COVERAGE

Definition of remote sensing and an outline of the basic principles and relevant laws

The concept of a "remote sensing system" as a framework for the more detailed consideration of the components of Atmospheric transmission/Absorption, Energy/Surface Interaction and Energy/Sensor Interaction

(Interaction with the Earth's Surface.(GIF)))

Resolution is defined and its implications explored

Photographic remote sensing is studied in detail, from basic film and filter characteristics through to experience with the visual analyis and interpretation of photography and its use in mapping

The potential of airborne videography is also explained

(Oblique Video Clip(AVI)))

(Vertical Video Clip(AVI)))

The use of the non-photographic parts of the electromagnetic spectrum is reviewed and the role of satellite platforms is outlined

The Electromagnetic Spectrum.(GIF)

Selected examples of environmental applications are discussed.

DATA HANDLING AND MICROCOMPUTERS
(WEEKS 1-6)

OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of this module are:

to introduce students to working in a micro-computer (especially IBM compatible and Workstation environment

to develop the skills to operate PCs and Workstations and the asscociated hardware peripherals (e.g. printers (photograph), plotters (photograph), scanners (photograph), optical drives (photograph), CD-ROMS (photograph))

to familiarise students with a variety of "data handling" software and applications

to provide the student with the basic concepts of data collection, encoding, input, manipulation, processing, analysis, and output using micro-computer hardware, peripherals, and software

to enhance and tailor student capabilities in computing as a background for the remote sensing digital image processing (DIP), GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and Computer-Assisted Cartography (CAC) components of the course.

COVERAGE

The module includes the following topics: a general introduction, setting the context, level of knowledge required (information technology/computer science), definitions, terminology, data types (character, numeric, graphic/pictorial), files, records, fields, databases (database types, structure), databanks, data processing operations, data storage, input/output, simple GIS requirements (note: these will be covered in more depth in the subsequent GIS module), data storage, input/output, simple GIS/DIP requirements, basic description of a computer with emphasis on microcomputers (input, storage, CPU, Arithmetic Unit, memory, control unit), bits, bytes, words, decimal, binary, hexadecimal, ASCII, magnetic tapes, zone bits, numeric bits, parity bits, tape drives, internal/ external labels, write-permit rings, magnetic disks, RAM, ROM, hard disks, floppy disks, types and operation of micro-computers in the Geography Department, hardware, peripherals, keyboard skills, digitisers, video, the mouse, use of a micro-computer system/workstation, operating systems, MS-DOS/UNIX (formatting diskettes, file creation/deletion, copying files, accessing/changing drives/ directories, protecting files, loading/saving files, renaming files, printing files, volume labels, read me files, backups, printing a screen, disk care, other useful commands), RISC-OS, and Networking, directory structures, disk housekeeping, obtaining output (hardcopy versus softcopy) from printers/ plotters, software (system, applications, programming (low/high level languages)), file transfer, communications, word processing, DTP, spreadsheet (simulations, graphics, statistics, macros, tables, GIS), databases, graphics/CAD, statistical, mapping/3D, GIS, remote sensing, expert systems), software applications, importing/exporting files and data etc.... ... Some time is also spent on the use of different file formats, file transfer, and file compression techniques.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

A number of short exercises using the micro-computers/Workstations (located in the Computing Centre, Meston Building, and the Department of Geography) once the MS-DOS Learn software and UNIX tutorials have been carried out. Some written and practical work is carried out.

Teaching time is split between the use of the lecture room (Room 64 - Geography), Room L (Computer Room - Geography), Room 56 (Postgraduate Computing Facilities - Geography), and other Computing Centre classrooms (Edward Wright Building).

The exercises form part of the assessment (10%) (duly completed work).

A course project forms the main assessment (90%).

SOFTWARE

A complete list of FACT SHEETS and USER GUIDES is available via GOPHER (Internet Services from MS-WINDOWS) e.g. -

MS-DOS

UNIX

Email

Microsoft Works (spreadsheet/database/wordprocessor/graphics)

MS-Word

Excel/Supercalc

Dbase/Dataease (if available)

CricketGraph

Harvard Graphics (if available)

SPSS (DOS/Windows/UNIX)

World Wide Web/Mosaic/Gopher

Internet

Kermits

FTP

DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING - THEORY AND PRACTICE

(WEEKS 7-12)

These two modules, running in parallel, introduce the student to the theory and practice of techniques in digital image processing using both PC- and Workstation-based hardware platforms and peripherals. Whilst there is an opportunity to use a variety of both educational (Landsat, Alexander, Bilko, Imagic, and Idrisi) and commercial DIP software (ERDAS, IMAGINE and GRASS), the course primarily focuses on the VGA-ERDAS, ERDAS-PC, and IMAGINE software.

OBJECTIVES

The Objectives of this module are:

the theory and techniques of digital image processing

the practice of digital image processing with imagery using a number of image processing systems e.g. Paintshop Pro, LView, Xv

the practice of digital image processing with satellite and airborne data using a range of systems including BILKO, IDRISI,ERDAS IMAGINE

digital formats of aerial and satellite imagery

analogue to digital conversion

image statistics

image pre-processing and image restoration

systematic and non-systematic errors

coordinate systems

geometric rectification

image enhancement

image classification and thematic information extraction

the role of remote sensing and Geographic Information Sytems (GIS)

the role of expert systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

TOPICS COVERED

The topics covered include the following:

What is image processing ? - broad coverage from medical applications to remote sensing. Books, journals, reading material. Computers in remote sensing, hardware and software - image processing system considerations. Overview of image processing systems - especially micro-computer based systems. Digital images;basics, value of digital approach versus manual/visual approach and photo-interpretation; different ways of displaying digital images. Satellite imagery in context versus aerial imagery. Digital data collection/acquisition. Digitising/Scanning photographic imagery (analogue to digital format); flatbed, rotating drum,and video-digitising. Densitometry - densitometers, micro-densitometers. Digital image formats. The remote sensing system. Simple statistics in relation to remote sensing data analysis. Image pre-processing/digital image restoration: internal/external errors, problems of atmospheric scattering, correcting geometric distortions - systematic/non-systematic - geometric rectification - co-ordinate systems, latitude and longitude, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) grid. Image Enhancement -image reduction and magnification (zooming), contrast enhancement (linear and non-linear), image ratioing, spatial filtering, edge enhancement (linear and non-linear), Principal Components Analysis, Vegetation Indices, Texture Transformations. Image Classification and Thematic Information Extraction - Multispectral Images, Classification Schemes - e.g. Anderson Classification scheme, unsupervised (cluster analysis) and supervised classifications (selection of training sites, simple statistics extraction). Change detection using satellite imagery. The Role of Remote Sensing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Land Information Systems (LIS). Integration of DIPS/GIS The Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI)and Expert Systems.

MODULE ASSESSMENT

This comprises a project using the ERDAS system <100%>.

DIGITIAL IMAGE PROCESSING (DIP) EXERCISE

Now try your hand at Digital Image Processing (DIP) to see what it is all about! The exercise uses the LVIEW software.

Using a graphics software package, e.g. LVIEW, it is relatively easy to undertake a simple image processing exercise.

To try your hand at image processing point and click on the word EXERCISE. EXERCISE(JPEG)

Resize the image so that it fits the screen and you can see the Instructions in the text you are reading now. A suggested size is 200 x 200. To do this you will need to select EDIT, RESIZE and type in 200 200 in the two dialogue boxes, followed by OK. If you are familiar with LVIEW then use the buttons to undertake this task and also the elementary image processing tasks outlined below.

Before you proceed select the HELP option from the LVIEW menu to briefly familiarise yourself with the software.

The objective of image processing is to take a raw image and to use the software tools to improve the visual appearance of the image to aid in information extraction.

A single band of part of a satellite image is loaded. The study area is part of the Dinnet National Nature Reserve (NNR), 40 miles to the West of Aberdeen. Using the tools provided by LView try out some simple image processing for yourself using the following tools:

INSTRUCTIONS

RETOUCH, CONTRAST ENHANCE and alter the slider bar. For the moment just watch the image but don't click on OK - just CANCEL!

RETOUCH, COLOUR BALANCE. Again don't click on OK - just CANCEL.

RETOUCH, GAMMA CORRECTION. Again don't click on OK - just CANCEL.

RETOUCH, YCbCrADJUST. Again don't click on OK - just CANCEL.

Now try some of the other options. See how easy it is to alter the visual appearance of the image! This is clearly only a simple example of Digital Image Processing, but it does show you how easy it is to alter the visual appearance of an image.

Whilst this only gives you a brief 'taste' of the possibilities of image processing, it shoud nevertheless give you a feel for what digital image processing (DIP) entails.Now close out the image.

DIGITAL MAPPING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS - (THEORY AND PRACTICE)

(WEEKS 13-18)

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this module are:

An introduction to the basic theory and applications of GIS

Maps and the computer

Definition of a GIS

Elements and operation of a GIS

Raster and vector GIS

An introduction to databases

Spatial relationships and analyses

Input/output

Digital Terrain Models (DTMs) and Visualisation

GIS in Organisations

A range of GIS applications

Lectures are supplemented using GIST, GISWARE, Idrisi, and ARC/INFO, guest lectures, and site visits in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

MODULE ASSESSMENT

COURSE READING

QUANTITATIVE, INFRARED, AND MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING

(WEEKS 13-18)

OBJECTIVES

Nomenclature of radiometry and concepts such as irradiance, exitance, reflectance, transmittance and path radiance

The effect of airborne system geometry on radiometric values

Detector/sensor characteristics

The ideal radiometer and normalisation

Photographic radiometry, film/filter selection, the fall-off effect

Coverage of the thermal infrared protion of the EMS

Fundamentals of microwave sensing, especially radar

Applications and case studies of airborne and satellite systems in the infrared and microwave

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

COURSE READING

APPLICATIONS OF REMOTE SENSING IN A MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT

(WEEKS 19-22)

OBJECTIVES AND TOPICS COVERED The application of knowledge and experience of photographic and satellite remote sensing, digital image processing and GIS as the basis to examine a number of environmental problems in Mallorca. including agriculture, soils, woodlands, land use and forest fires

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Assessment is by means of a practical interactive test

COURSE READING

HARDWARE

The CRSMS has access to a wide range of computer hardware and peripherals including networked 486 microcomputers, Apple Macintoshes, Sun Workstations, digitisers, optical disk drives, CD-ROMS, tape drives, tape streamers, monochrome and colour inkjet printers, laser output.