Earth Observation and Environmental Dynamics

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 7
• Convenor and tutor: Paul Elsner
• Assessment: practical coursework of up to 4000 words (100%)

This module aims to provide knowledge and practical skills in earth observation techniques and remote sensing data processing. Subjects include physical principles of remote sensing, key earth observation missions, and data depositories. Practical work will focus on both the use of bespoke image processing software and big data analysis using cloud-based platforms. The module will also address the utilisation of remote sensing data to inform modelling environmental dynamics using advanced geospatial analysis.

Indicative module content

• Earth observation data collection: physical principles, sensors and sensor platforms
• Remote sensing data dissemination: key sources and formats
• Remote sensing data management and processing: software tools and visualisation
• Earth observation and big data analysis
• Cloud-based platforms for time series analysis
• Remote sensing and environmental GIS: building models to turn data into information
• Modelling land cover change
• Environmental GIS for decision support: multi-criteria analysis

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate practical experience of using at least one commercial remote sensing and environmental GIS software packages
• relate theory surrounding remote sensing to practice of imagery processing
• relate theory surrounding environmental GIS methodologies to applied environmental phenomena
• conceptualise theoretical concepts for the representation of spatial data
• process remote sensing imagery using contemporary remote sensing and raster GIS packages
• access cloud-based image analysis platforms and perform analysis of earth observation data
• work successfully with diverse data formats and standards and its transformations.