All programmes > Earth Observation

Earth Observation (B-KUL-I0A90A)

5 ECTSEnglish59 First termCannot be taken as part of an examination contract
De Lannoy Gabrielle (coordinator) |  De Lannoy Gabrielle |  Somers Ben
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Aims

General:

  • understanding the various types of Earth observation techniques and how they are used in different applications

 

More in particular, students gain insight in:

  • the electromagnetic spectrum and its relation with incoming and outgoing radiation to and from the Earth
  • which sensors can be used for various types of remotely sensed Earth observations
  • which platforms carry Earth observing sensors
  • the basic image characteristics required for various Earth applications, over land, ocean and atmosphere
  • the principles and operational missions in the field of optical remote sensing
  • the principles and operational missions in the field of thermal remote sensing
  • the principles and operational missions in the field of microwave remote sensing
  • the processing and distribution of Earth observation data.

Previous knowledge

Previous basic training in physics (electromagnetism and wave theory) and geographic information systems (GIS) is an advantage, but not essential.

Order of Enrolment


This course unit is a prerequisite for taking the following course units:
G0G24A : Reference Geodata Management (No longer offered this academic year)
I0D58A : Global Change Monitoring and Coastal Processes (No longer offered this academic year)
I0D59A : Land Cover and Land Use Monitoring (No longer offered this academic year)
I0D60A : Image Analysis and Understanding (No longer offered this academic year)
I0T84A : Ruimtelijke gegevensinfrastructuren (No longer offered this academic year)

Identical courses

This course is identical to the following courses:
I0I53A : Aardobservatie (No longer offered this academic year)

Is included in these courses of study

Activities

3 ects. Earth Observation: Lectures (B-KUL-I0A90a)

3 ECTSEnglishFormat: Lecture33 First term
De Lannoy Gabrielle |  Somers Ben
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

Our Earth is a complex evolving system. This course aims at using remote sensing techniques to understand the current state of our Earth, the primary causes of change in the Earth system as well as the response of our Earth to changes. This knowledge helps to predict future changes and improve the management of Earth resources, on land, in the atmosphere or in the ocean. The course starts with a general introduction on remote sensing and then studies the details of various operational Earth observing systems. The course contains the following chapters:

1. Earth observation and remote sensing

2. Physical basis

3. Sensors

4. Platforms

5. Image characteristics

6. Optical remote sensing

7. Thermal remote sensing

8. Microwave remote sensing

9. Other remote sensing

10. Data products

11.-12.-13.-14.: Data preprocessing, image enhancement and classification

Course material

Syllabus & slides

Format: more information

Standard lecture series.
 

2 ects. Earth Observation: Practicals (B-KUL-I0A91a)

2 ECTSEnglishFormat: Practical26 First term
De Lannoy Gabrielle |  Somers Ben
POC Bio-ingenieurswetenschappen

Content

In the practical segment of this course, the lab sessions aim primarily at familiarizing the students with computer-based image analysis routines. They particularly focus on processing of optical and microwave data. The practical exercises use the software packages QGIS and MATLAB.

 

The practical sessions address the following topics:

1. Learn where to find remote sensing datasets.

2. [Optical] Preprocessing of imagery - atmospheric correction, mask low quality data, clip the study area

3. [Optical] Explore spectral information - true and false color images, spectral indices, spectra

4. [Optical] Supervised and unsupervised classification

5. [Optical] Accuracy assessment and evaluation of ecosystem services

6. [Microwave] Explore passive microwave information – MPDI, emissivity, effective temperature, tau-omega model

7. [Microwave] Retrievals and accuracy assessment – radiative transfer model, optimization, ground truth evaluation

8. Summarize and discuss the results in a report

Course material

Elaborated slides.

Format: more information

Participation in all practical sessions is mandatory. Students who are absent without a valid reason, timely communicated to the assistent and coordinator, will be excluded from the exam and retake exam. This part of the course will then be considered as not completed (NA).

Evaluation

Evaluation: Earth Observation (B-KUL-I2A90a)

Type : Partial or continuous assessment with (final) exam during the examination period
Description of evaluation : Written, Practical exam
Type of questions : Open questions
Learning material : None

Explanation


Exam: 60% theory (written exam) + 40% practicals (report for mandatory practicals)

Participation in all practical sessions is mandatory. Students who are absent without a valid reason, timely communicated to the assistent and coordinator, will be excluded from the exam and retake exam.This part of the course will then be considered as not completed (NA).


 

Information about retaking exams

In case of an insufficient total score (practical sessions + theory) during the first examination period, the student will take a retake exam in the third examination period during which the theory will always be evaluated. The score of the practical sessions will be transferred to the third examination period.

In case of an insufficient total score (practical sessions + theory) during the first exam session and an insufficient score for the practical report, then both the theory and practical insight will be evaluated during the third examination period.

For students who received 'NA' for the practical session (absences without valid reason), there is no retake possibility. These students will be excluded from the theoretical exam in the third examination period.