This new hybrid course is proposed as part of a 3 course (9 credits), graduate-level, certificate in UAVs Applications in Geological and Environmental Sciences. The GEOS 5730 course provides a comprehensive understanding of the remote sensing observations that could be extracted from various remote sensing sensors mounted on UAVs and provides examples on how these observations could be used to address geological and environmental problems of interest. The course also provides students with hands-on experience on the acquisition, downloading, processing, and analysis of a wide range of remote sensing datasets acquired by UAVs. In addition to the GEOS 5730, students signed for the certificate learn about the fundamentals of geophysics, UAV geophysical sensor types, and their applications and limitations and receive hands-on-training on the acquisition, downloading, processing, and analysis of the UAV-acquired geophysical data (GEOS 5740). They also have to sign for an additional 3-credit course in the School of Aviation that deals with regulations for licensing, and flying, and maintenance of UAVs.
Instructor: Dr. Mohamed Sultan
Textbook: Notes assembled from multiple sources will be distributed
Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the interaction of electromagnetic waves with various media in the visible, near infrared, thermal, and radar wavelength regions;
- Students will gain knowledge on the sensors that could be mounted on UAVs, and their capabilities and limitations;
- Students will learn how the UAV-generated observations could be used in addressing geological and environmental problems through the analysis of real-world collected datasets; and
- Students will gain hands-on experience on the acquisition, downloading, processing, and analysis of the UAV-acquired geophysical and remote sensing data.
Assignments and Grades:
- Unit exams will be given through the semester at the end of each of thematic units 1 and 2. Unit exams will count for 30% of course grade;
- Each unit will have one to two quizzes that cover the course readings, lectures, and lab exercises. Quizzes will count for 20% of the course grade; and
- Hands on lab exercises will count for 50% of the course grade.
Grade Scale:
A 100%-94%
BA 93%- 87%
B 86%-80%
C 79-70%
F <70