Geog 342 - Introduction to Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
Fall 2012
Instructor: Nathan Jennings
Semester: Fall 2012
Class Hours: Mondays6:00-10:20pm
Class Location: McClellan, Room 208
Email:
Course Website:
Web Conference Site:
Web:
Courses I Teach:
Blog:
LinkedIn:
Twitter:@jenningsplanet (
Phone: 916.808.7857
Office Hours:Mondays 5:30-6:00pm. Please phone or email withquestions,
individual meetings, etc.
Advisory:Geog330, familiarity with ArcGIS
GIS AS Degree/Certificate:
Tutoring Opportunities:
Paid tutoring opportunities are available. See the above link
for requirements under Tutoring Center. Requirements are
completed during the first few weeks of the semester.
Text: Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, 2007, 6th Edition, Lillesand, Kiefer, Chipman. Bring text to class each week.
Recommended
USB Thumb, Flash, or non-powered external hard drive to store data and map projects.
Welcome to Remote Sensing and Digital Image Processing
This course is a full semester course covering a thorough overview of remote sensing principles, image data sources, and practical experience in a full range of digital image processing functions including image rectification, image enhancement, classification, data integration, RADAR, hyperspectral, LIDAR, and high resolution image processing using image data from airborne and spacebornesensors. The following software will be used in the course:
ArcGIS
ArcGIS 10 will use the Image Classification toolbar and some tools from the Spatial Analyst and 3D extension. A free copy of ArcGIS 10 (ArcInfo) can be obtained from the instructor. NOTE: Make sure to install all of the extensions (just to be sure). Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst will be used in this class. NOTE: ArcGIS 10 will be used. Older versions of ArcGIS do not include the Image Classification toolbar, which will be used in this course.
Windows XP and Windows 7 are supported.
ENVI
ENVI is a professional grade image processing software. We may use ENVI from time to time in class. Students can obtain 1 yr fully functional copies for $199 if they want to work on the assignments at home and obtain more experience outside of class. The open lab at McClellan will have the software loaded as well. ARC Main campus or other campuses will not have the software.
ArcGIS Feature Analyst(Demo Mode)
Feature Analyst can be obtained from the Overwatch site: This software will be used for high resolution image processing.
Opticks (Optional)
Opticks is an open source image processing software will be used as a primary software to review and process a variety of image types including RADAR and hyperspectral data.
Opticks and the extensions can be downloaded from the Opticks site: Other extensions and information will be provided to students throughout the semester. A user guide created by the instructor can be found here: This document will also be on the D2L course site.
Window XP and Window 7 are supported. It is recommended to use the 32-bit version on 32 bit systems.
All of the software for this course is free and can be loaded on home computers.
Desire2Learn (D2L) Course Website
D2L, ( a virtual course space, will be used throughout this course to communicate to students all of the material regarding the class and can be accessed anywhere anytime via the Internet. The site includes lecture material, assignments, related material, tutorials, software documentation, software links, links to “recorded” lecture segments, flash videos, assignments, discussion boards, grades, links to websites and web conferences, and other information regarding the class. Students will need to become familiar with how to use this service and will need to provide a valid login and working email address (it does not need to be the school provided email address). Students are encouraged to review the D2L Student Resources link in the D2L site. Students can log in to the D2L site by using their student ID and password they use to log in to the computer network and check ARC iMail email accounts. Students must be registered as a student in the course. Students on a wait list are not part of the class until officially added by the instructor. All information regarding the class, lectures, assignments, links to the software, and grades can be found on the Desire2Learn (D2L) web site for this class.
Printing Material
Almost all of the weekly session will include one or more PDF, Power Point, and/or Word documents that include software documentation, tutorials, lecture slides, etc. Many of these are dozens of pages. The instructor has provided these to students in electronic form to conserve various resources. The same is expected from students. It is recommended that students DO NOT any of these documents on any printer at any Los Rios facility. There is not enough time or resource to print this material during class.
The instructor provides access to as much of the documentation as possible before each class meeting.
It is recommended that students become familiar with taking notes electronically (such as typing and performing screen captures of specific slides) and document material that become their own set of course notes. Students can consult the resources at the end of the syllabus to obtain help with computers, office software, etc. Students are encouraged to become familiar with office software throughout their education or training. This course will require the use of various office software packages. Open source versions of office software can be found at Students can also obtain significantly discounted software and hardware products. Check out the schools website for links.
Screen captures can be done by:
- PrntScrn button – capture the entire monitor (even if there is more than 1)
- Ctrl + Alt + PrntScrn buttons (simultaneously) – captures the specific active window (in XP). Windows 7 may work differently. There is a Snipping Tool that can be used as well.
- Ctrl + C – Highlight/select text to copy text/graphics to the “clipboard”. Same as Copy button from MS Office software.
- Ctrl + V – Pastes highlighted/selected text/graphics where the cursor is located in a Word or Power Point document. Same as Paste button from MS Office software.
- Ctrl + X – cut/delete highlighted/selected text/graphics. Same as Delete or Cut in MS Office software.
Student Learning Outcomes
After completing this course students will be able to do the following:
- Synthesize the fundamentals and principles of remote sensing and digital image processing.
- Analyze a variety of digital image processing techniques as they are applied to remotely sensed imagery.
- Evaluate and use a number of image processing software packages and to apply the remote sensing principles and digital image processing techniques to a variety of remotely sensed imagery.
- Analyze, evaluate, and interpret a number of different remote sensing platforms (aerial photography, satellite imagery, RADAR, LIDAR, and hyperspectral).
- Evaluate a number of different remote sensing principles and digital image processing techniques for a variety of real-world scenarios.
Software
A number of software packages will be used throughout this course. All software packages will be available in the classroom and open lab at the McClellan Center. The software will not be available at other campuses.
For those who want to use the software at home, links will be provided through the D2L course site. The instructor can provide ArcGIS (ArcInfo) to students who are interested.
ArcGIS
Free (1 year) licenses of ArcGIS 10 (ArcInfo) are available from the instructor. These include the latest version of the software. ArcGIS will use the Image Classification Toolbar and the Spatial Analyst and 3D Analyst extensions. Experience in ArcGIS is not required, but will be helpful. The instructor will provide an overview and additional materials to complete the assignments. ArcGIS 10 must be used in this class. The Image Classification Toolbar and its functionality do not exist in older versions of ArcGIS.
ENVI
ENVI, created by Exelis ( is one of the leading digital image processing software packages used by professions who perform image analysis on remotely sensed information. Students will obtain hands on training using real-world satellite and aerial imagery from a number of remote sensors. Students can obtain 1 yr fully functional copies for $199 if they want to work on the assignments at home and obtain more experience outside of class.
Feature Analyst
The demo version of Feature Analyst will be used in the lab and students can downloaded and install it for ArcGIS 10. The demo version only works with the data and tutorials that come with the software. The Feature Analyst extension is an add-on software to ArcGIS and is available through OverWatch. See the link above to obtain a demo version of the software to use at home. Students may need write access to the machine they are using for installing and using the tutorial data.
Opticks
Opticks is a free, open source image processing software developed by Ball Aerospace and is continuing to have improvements made by Ball Aerospace and other developers around the world.
A couple of extensions (plug-ins) will also need to be installed (Python and Spectral). Links to the plug-ins can be found on the Optics website. Students must have write access to the machine to install the plug-ins..
See above for links to the Opticks User Guide and to download the software.
Course Content
Reading
Required reading will consist of the assigned reading in thetextbook, software user guides, and any additional materials assigned by theinstructor. Students are responsible for all assigned reading, even though portions of the reading may not be addressed in the class periods. Students are highly encouraged to read the assignments and take notes before the lecture.
Class Periods
Lectures
The instructor records the in-class lectures and software presentations using a wireless microphone and computer screen recording software on the instructor’s computer. Sounds and voices may be recorded. The recorded material is edited after each class and portions of the in-class lecture material will be posted on the D2L course site as Flash Video links. Students are encouraged to review these as needed for additional review and when answering the assignment questions.
If students have special needs for the course, contact the instructor as soon as possible.
Additional pre-recorded Flash Videos may be provided as links in the D2L course site.
Labs
Class periods will be divided between lecture and hands-on exercises using the ENVI, ArcGIS, and Feature Analystsoftware. The labs will be used for students to become familiar with the practical use of the theories and principals described inthe lecture. Students are strongly encouraged to take notes, create screen captures, etc of the lab material so the online assignments can be completed. Some outside class time may be needed to complete the assignment. In-class labassignments can be completed with a partner(s), but the assignments must be individually submitted. Students are encouraged to use outside lab time to gainadditional experience with the software and digital image processing concepts.
Web Conferencing (CCC Confer)
Occasionally, web conferences ( may be held at specific dates and times depending on the need for additional follow up and assistance. The web conference portal will allow real-time interaction between the instructor and students. The dates and times of the web conference sessions will be determined based on student requests, discussion board postings, and instructor’s determination. Material regarding CCC Confer can be found at the D2L site with links to the appropriate material. The recorded web conference lectures will exist on the CCC Confer website ( under archives. Students will be provided the appropriate login information to access this site for the duration of the course. Web conference or D2L material will not be able to be accessed after the semester ends.
Web conferences will be recorded and will be able to record student communication. This facilitates a “real time” communication during the web conference sessions and will be archived for later review. The archives are only available to students of the course. If students have special needs, such as closed captioning, let the instructor know ahead of time so accommodations can be made.
Evaluation and Grading
Students will be graded based on exercises covering the lecture, lab, and reading assignments. In addition, students will need to participate in online discussion boards addressing questions provide by both the instructor and fellow students. The instructor will participate in these discussions and check them regularly. Also, a final project will be worked on during the last portion of the class and presented during the last class meeting. All assignments and discussion boards will be equally weighted for each session.
Grades will be assigned according to your point score on the following scale:
90%+: A; 80-89%: B; 70-79%: C; 60-69%: D; < 60%: F
Assignments(55% of final grade, equally weighted)
A set of questions that cover the lecture, lab, reading assignments, and recorded material will be assigned each week. Students have one week to complete the questions and submit for grading. The assignment questions will be located under the Dropbox section of the D2L site. The questions will be answered and submitted to the respective online Dropbox by 6pm the next class period. Assignments will be graded by the instructor and will show up in the grade book. Assignments will only be accepted via the Dropbox. Email and hard copy assignments will not be accepted. Late assignments will be docked 10% per day for each day late.
Final Project(45% of final grade)
The Final Project must be completed to pass the course.
Students will complete a final project and present the findings to the class using Power Point. In addition, a paper will be written the documents the project that includes a discussion of the results and the methods used to complete the project.
The project work will begin approximately the last third of the class. Students will have several class periods to work on the project and will likely need to use outside class time to complete the project and compile the presentation materials and paper.
Students can get an idea of the kinds of projects completed by visiting the instructors website, (Student Projects—Remote Sensing Projects). Student projects will be slightly different, sinceENVI, ArcGIS, Feature Analyst (Demo Mode), and Opticks will be used. If Feature Analyst is used, the imagery supplied with the software is required. ENVI, ArcGIS, and Optickscan use other data acquired from other sources or from imagery provided in class. Some image sources will be provided in class and on the D2L site. Students can also check the instructor’s personal website to a few links that provide free data for download (including satellite imagery and aerial photography). Check out Links—Free Data on the website.
Final Presentations and Documents
Presentations and documents will be delivered during class on Dec 10 and Dec 17, 2012. Digital materials will be submitted to the respective D2L Dropbox.
Each student will present a Power Point presentation that summarizes the project, methods used, analysis of results, and conclusions. The specific format of the presentation will be provided before the projects begin.
A written document will also be turned in that addresses the project problem, methods used, analysis of results, and conclusions. The specific format of the written document will be provided before the projects begin.
The project will be graded as follows:
Final Project Presentation
It is mandatory that students attend the
Dec10 and Dec 17, 2012
class meeting to both present and participate in class discussions. Participating in these activities is part of the Final Project and overall grade. If extenuating circumstances are present, the student must notify the instructor immediately by phone and email regarding the circumstances. The instructor will advise the student to the course of action.
Policies
Attendance
Your grade will not be based directly on attendance, but since there will be weekly exercises/assignments and the final group project, your attendance will be critical to your success. Absence should be limited. If you stop coming to class and do not turn assignments in, the instructor will email you to see if you are going to continue. If the student does not respond within 1 week, the instructor will drop you from the class.
If you believe you will drop the class, make sure to follow the drop procedures and contact the registrar or dean for assistance.
Behavior
Students are not to be disruptive during class. Please refrain from talking unless contributing to a class discussion, have questions regarding the material and subject matter.
Cell phones should be turned off. Refrain from texting.