Overview
Comprehensive introduction to remote sensing for Earth Observation and environmental monitoring. Electromagnetic radiation and interactions with materials, optical and radar remote sensing systems, image processing and image interpretation, with applications.
Remote sensing is the science of making measurements from a distance. It typically involves the use of satellite images to gather knowledge over large areas. By supporting the acquisition of dense and diverse data, remote sensing is a cornerstone of geospatial sciences and a very dynamic industry. This paper provides elementary and in-depth knowledge to comprehend, process and analyse such data. It also addresses photogrammetry, the science of making measurements from stereo-images.
About this paper
| Paper title | Advanced Remote Sensing for Earth Observation |
|---|---|
| Subject | Surveying |
| EFTS | 0.1482 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,420.35 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 216 points
- Restriction
- SURV 309, SURV 318
- Eligibility
This paper is suitable for graduates and professionals of all disciplines interested in working with satellite images and/or making measurements from images.
This paper is offered at the 500-level specifically to support postgraduate students aiming at using remote sensing in their research, as well as professionals seeking to gain new skills in geospatial sciences.
- Contact
- pascal.sirguey@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information about remote sensing and photogrammetry on the School of Surveying's website
- Teaching staff
- Convenor and Lecturer: Dr Pascal Sirguey
- Paper Structure
SURV 509 includes two complementary modules
Remote Sensing module - which covers the following topics:
- Theory of electromagnetic energy (EM)
- Sensor technologies (including ground, airborne and satellite platforms, scanner and radar systems)
- Principles of remote sensing (sources of radiation, EM energy interaction with the atmosphere, EM energy interaction with terrestrial targets, spectral properties of terrestrial targets)
- Basic techniques of digital images processing for extraction of environmental data and remote sensing applications in various scientific fields (geology, atmospheric sciences, climatology, water resources, oceanography, agriculture, forestry)
Photogrammetry module - which covers the following topics:
- Fundamental principles of aerial photography
- Conventional film-based and digital imaging systems
- Camera calibration
- Vertical aerial imagery
- Parallel and convergent close-range imagery
- Data extraction from monoscopic and stereoscopic photographs
- Production of orthoimages
- Photogrammetric applications
- Teaching Arrangements
The theoretical content of this paper is addressed over four hours of lectures weekly.
Practical experience is gained during eight practical sessions in a well-equipped computer laboratory. This involves the use and manipulation of satellite imagery, as well as the completion of a photogrammetry project.
At the 500-level, this paper also involves student preparing an in-depth literature review on a topic of interest involving the use of remote sensing techniques.
- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
Lecture notes are available for purchase at the start of the semester.
Recommended text books:
- Richards and Jia (2012). Remote sensing digital image analysis. An introduction. Springer-Verlag. 5th Ed, 502p (available online upon enrolment)
- Mikhail, Bethel and McGlone (2001). Introduction to modern photogrammetry, John Wiley & Sons, 479p.
- Linder (2003). Digital photogrammetry: a practical course. 3rd Edition, Springer, 229p. (available online upon enrolment)
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Critical thinking, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Remote Sensing module:
- Explain the principles and theoretical concepts of remote sensing
- Explain the concepts of electromagnetic radiation (EMR)
- Describe the interactions of EMR with Earth targets
- Relate remote sensing technologies to successful applications of Earth observation and monitoring
- Comprehend the nature of remotely sensed imagery
- Appreciate the variety of sensors and their properties (i.e. spatial, spectral, radiometric, temporal resolution)
- Grasp the principle of image acquisition
- Identify radiometric and geometric distortions
- Use geospatial software for manipulating images and complete basics image processing tasks
- Display and enhance remotely sensed images to facilitate interpretation
- Process geometric correction and integration of remotely sense images into a GIS
- Classify an image using supervised and unsupervised algorithms
Photogrammetry module:
- Explain and apply the mathematical concepts of photogrammetry (e.g. parallax, stereo viewing, relief displacement, camera interior and exterior orientation)
- Conduct a photogrammetry project for topographical mapping
- Use photogrammetry software to perform a block triangulation of overlapping aerial images
- Use geospatial software to produce photogrammetric products and retrieve distances and elevation information from stereo images